Solution for Stretch Marks...

[BearHug]

What is the best cream or remedy to rid those stretch marks on the body??

[Editor_CS&B]

Hi BearHug! My name is Dan, and I'm editor of a cosmetic surgery magazine distributed in Malaysia and Singapore. We featured an article about stretch marks some time back; I'm happy to share what we found out with you and hope it's at least of some help.

Basically, what I've heard from most dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons about stretch marks is that it's difficult or impossible to get rid of them once they've been there for a while. This is because stretch marks (which are most commonly associated with childbirth, weight gain or extreme weight loss) happen when the skin is overstretched and the fibers in the elastic middle layer of the skin are torn. Conventional wisdom in the medical aesthetic community suggests that these tears cannot be completely mended once they have formed, and most current treatments for stretch marks tend to fade the marks, rather than fully remove them.

There are some new radiofrequency treatments hitting the scene that at least two cosmetic surgeons I have talked to say have the potential to improve the appearance of (they didn't use the word "eliminate") stretch marks. One of these is called RelaxF -- though it's generally used to treat cellulite. I haven't seen any before/afters for stretch marks or talked to any of the patients who have had it done for this indication, so I'd really be interested to hear if anyone got good results for their stretch marks through this treatment. On the other hand, some swear by mesotherapy to tame stretch marks, but currently there's a dearth of scientific documentation for this treatment (although it seems like everyone is offering it, doesn't it?).

As for creams and other topical applications, they may hydrate and plump up the skin, thereby reducing the trademark ridges and rough texture of stretch marks. It's unlikely, though, that anything you apply on the outside of your skin is going to have much effect past this.

Hope this helps at least a little bit!

[BearHug]

Great stuff Dan. Thanks a mil. I wonder if those creams will make u look FAT.

[Editor_CS&B]

Only if you frost a cake with it

[BearHug]