Getting Rid of Stretch Marks: Doable or Next to Impossible?

If only our skin could get air-brushed in real life... then probably, stretch marks would be the least of our worries. Unfortunately, it has remained a common problem among many postpartum women and people who lose and gain weight too quickly.

Getting rid or stretch marks is never easy. First, you have to understand what stretch marks are. Their name probably says it all, because they are stretched tissue and appear that way. More accurately, stretch marks are deep scars, the result of extreme skin stretching.

Contrary to what most people think, the female population doesn't have an exclusive problem about stretch marks - men get it too. It can also appear on the breast area during pregnancy and on the chest, back, upper arms and thighs.

When they first appear, stretch marks look like purplish-red stripes. During the initial stages, stretched skin becomes a little transparent so tiny blood vessels underneath are readily seen. After a while, the tiny blood vessels will contract and the stretch marks begin to appear as thin, white stripes.

Getting rid of stretch marks

Unfortunately, stretch marks tend to be permanent and the easiest way to get rid of them is to never have them at all. That means if you're pregnant and your belly is growing, you had better take measures that will PREVENT the appearance of stretch marks.

If you've gain weight, try not to lose it rapidly. How rapid? Losing more than 1 lb. per week is fast and this will cause your skin to sag, making it a prime location for stretch marks. Target specific areas with spot exercises to build muscle and regulate fat and if you're up to it, try some topical creams. Here are some you might want to check out:

Cocoa butter cream
Supermodel Cindy Crawford swears by cocoa butter cream. She rubbed her belly with it during her pregnancy and has had no complaints. It's a rich formula that is sold in many pharmacies and is also known to help soften scars. Plus, it leaves you smelling slightly like chocolate.