If one is conscience about keeping their skin healthy and smooth, they are very aware of the threat of stretch marks. They arrive as zebra like scars with different lengths and depths. They are found in various parts of the body such as the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, legs, and upper arms. The cause of these unwanted marks is mainly the result of rapid stretching of the skin resulting from rapid growth or weight gain usually caused by puberty, pregnancy, and weight gain. The dermis is what is what we call the middle layer of our skin, and a stretch mark results after it's stretched to a point it breaks its elasticity.

This being the case, what can be done?

Luckily, there are options for their treatment and here listed are a few of them.

Today's Available Stretch Mark Treatment Options

The least economical route to take is surgery. Surgery for stretch marks in the stomach area is called abdominoplasy surgery, or the 'tummy tuck.' Tightening and contouring the stomach walls remove excess fat and skin improving the complexion of the original stretch marks. However the surgery is invasive and expensive with a long and probable painful recovery time.

A second option for surgery would be what's called laser treatment. Energy shot through cosmetic lasers is absorbed into the dermal layer of the skin to stimulate the production of new collagen. The skin plumps by the collagen thickening, which then fills in the stretch mark from below. The downside to laser treatment is that it is only mainly effective on immature stretch marks that are still red in color.

A 20 to 50% improvement in the appearance of the stretch marks is a realistic expectation from using these surgical treatments.

Regarding the non-surgical route, an attractive option is microdermabrasion. There is no pain aftermath and the price tag is more down to Earth compared to surgery. It is performed in beauty spas but as well has an at home solution in the form of a microdermabrasion cream. The procedure involves using abrading microcrystals to wear down and eliminate the very top layer of the skin. The original stretch mark covered skin is replaced by a newer and healthier skin created by the triggering of collagen and elastin production.