Can't live with them, wish we could live without them!
Stretch marks are simply marks that occur as the skin stretches. Whether it's because of excess weight, adolescence or pregnancy, the result is the same.
They vary in color from pink to deep brown, and then lighten and turn silvery as they fade. And they will fade, in time.
They can occur anywhere — but they are usually found on those old favorite tricky areas: the stomach, breasts, buttocks, thighs and hips.
What can you do about them?
1. Live with them
The first choice for so many of us is to ignore them and learn to live with them. In time they will fade, and as we lose those excess pounds the great feelings that result make a few marks seem insignificant.
2. Hide them
We can also choose to work around them and cover them up, either with our clothes or a fake tan, which helps minimize their appearance. Just make sure you do a good job with your tan, or even go to a salon, as a fluorescent orange glow is going to look 10 times worse than any stretch mark ever would.
3. Reduce them
Dermatologists and plastic surgeons are seeing success with a new laser technique, called Fraxil, which stimulates collagen production and can significantly reduce the appearance of stretch marks in anywhere from one to six treatments. Sounds great, but at approximately $1,000 per treatment, you may prefer to try more low-tech methods.
Type "stretch marks" into any search engine and you will find countless ads for collagen-based creams. Rubbing these into the skin is said to help make it more supple and retain its elastic qualities. But, any cream or lotion that keeps the skin supple will be helpful — from an expensive designer lotion to a tub of cocoa-butter. The magic is in the regular moisturizing and massage.
Of course, exercise helps tone up the skin beneath. Marks look much worse on flabby, untoned skin than they do on toned and tight flesh.
4. Prevent them
Taking care to keep your weight steady and not creep back up will prevent the skin from stretching; regular massage with a rich lotion will keep it supple and moist.
As with many things, stretch marks are easier to prevent than cure. And the healthy steps you take to prevent them should feel great in and of themselves.