Sunday, June 1, 2008

Five Myths About How to Eliminate Stretch Marks

With the many ineffective methods to eliminate stretch marks, its easy to understand why people can lose hope. Before you pick a method however, it is well worth your time to first check what works and what doesn't.

Myth #1: There are many medical procedures for stretch marks elimination

Currently, only abdominoplasty is the only known surgical method that works on the condition. This method however will only remove marks in the tummy area and is very risky and expensive. It is not even originally intended for such purpose but for extra fat removal. Only those who are close to their ideal body weights and have only a little fat to remove are considered good candidates for abdominoplasty.

Other medical procedures include dermabrasion and laser treatment. As most people would know however, dermabrasion is simply a more complicated form of exfoliation which is only a marginally effective method. Laser treatment on the other hand is a new method that does not have a long and proven track record in removing it.

Myth #2: Getting a tan can get rid of the marks.

Because of silvery color, most people have the misconception that they can cover up stretch marks with a tan. This however, will only serve to worsen the whitish appearance of stretch marks as the surrounding healthy skin darkens in color. This is because stretch marks are scars and if you've ever tried to tan a scar, you would know that they are particularly resistant to color changes. Most of us also know that tanning is not always very safe.

Myth #3: Using make-up to cover stretch marks.

Make ups are not treatments. These products do not remove the scars but just mask them. This may be a good technique but only for a limited time. Even the most water resistant make-up will eventually lose its grip at the beach or in the water.

Myth #4: Weight loss can solve stretch marks.

There are some people who believe that since gaining weight caused the condition, losing weight can remove it. As scars, they will stay put even if you manage to agreed thin. You may however, be able to reduce your chances of getting it if you have never been overweight to begin with. A healthy diet and exercise can keep you from rapidly expanding in body size.

Myth #5: Stretch mark product is the answer to the problem.

The reason why creams have received a lot of criticism is because there are really a lot of products out there that cannot effectively solve the problem. These products put a bad name on reputable brands.

Make sure to read product specifications, ingredient content and instructions for use to get the best out of your lotion or cream. If you have very sensitive skin, you would do better with an all natural product that will not expose you to dangerous side effects.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Men's Stretch Marks and Removal Options

Maybe people think that stretch marks are only a woman's issue. That is not true. Stretch marks are a problem for both men and women alike.
Stretch marks are simply a form of scarring on the skin, usually associated with sudden weight gain and stretching of the skin. They result when the dermis, the layer of skin directly beneath the epidermis, is torn due to rapid stretching of the skin

Although, stretch marks are usually associated with obesity, men often get stretch marks from weight lifting or a sudden growth spurt. They can appear on their arms, legs or back and can be very noticeable.

If left alone, some will fade over time but not completely disappear. If you want them gone, there are three main removal options available to men: surgery, bleaching agents, and Trilastin.

Depending on where you stretch marks are, plastic surgery can be one option. However, this can be expensive and risky. Due to the placement of the marks, surgery may just make it worse.

There are also bleaching agents that lighten the skin around the stretch mark to make them less visible. These must be repeated on a regular basis and you must avoid tanning or it will lose effectiveness.

Most men, however, prefer another option from EA Research called Trilastin SR. Even if your scars have been there for years, many men find it can successfully greatly reduce or even eliminate the marks and costs much less than surgery.

No matter what method you choose, it is important to know that men can get rid of their stretch mark problems for good.

by Monica Cameron