During pregnancy a woman's body experiences a tremendous amount of changes. One such change that is common during this stage is the unwelcomed appearance of stretch marks. Despite the fact that stretch marks are caused by a variety of different factors (i.e. weight gain or loss, growth spurts, etc), there is one thing that is common to all of these cases, no one wants to suffer from stretch marks.

No two women experience stretch marks in the same way. Some may be more prone to developing them while others may develop very thin stretch marks that are hardly perceivable. Some of the most common risk factors include:

*Genetics: If your mother had stretch marks during pregnancy, it's very likely that you will too.

*Ethnicity: Women with darker skin tend to be less prone to developing stretch marks than are fair skinned women.

Other factors that might determine the development of stretch marks are the ingestion of water, the amount of exercise you get and the type of moisturizer or stretch marks cream that you use.

How to get rid of Stretch Marks

The most effective and efficient way of dealing with stretch marks is preventing them. But sometimes genetics outweigh the effort you put into trying to prevent them. If you feel identified with this type of stretch mark sufferer then keep reading to find some useful tips on how you can get rid of stretch marks.

Cover Them Up

Make up can easily and quickly help you cover up stretch marks. However, this is only a temporary solution. All it takes is a quick shower to make your stretch marks visible again.

The other downside to this method is that the foundation will tend to rub off on your clothing. If you decide to go down this route, keep in mind the disadvantages and take the necessary precautions.

Get rid of them for Good

If you want to get rid of stretch marks for good then there are two very different options available: laser therapy and an effective stretch mark cream. You could benefit from both; nevertheless, one treatment is much more expensive and invasive than the other. This may not concern some people, but for those of us feeling the economic slump or for those that aren't very doctor-friendly, effective and natural stretch mark creams is a good start.

*Laser therapy is relatively simple procedure that usually requires some post-intervention rest. Undergoing laser treatment helps repair the skin's collagen and eliminate stretch marks.

*Stretch mark creams offer a variety of different ingredients. The safest and most effective are those containing natural ingredients that help repair damaged skin. For any stretch mark cream to be effective is should not only repair damaged tissue, but also help keep skin moisturized in order to prevent stretch mark formation. Studies that have been made have discovered that Helix aspersa muller extract is an amazing natural ingredient that is essential in helping treat conditions such as stretch marks.

Some years ago, heliciculture workers began noticing how their skin improved from handling snails. Small lesions and blemishes healed much quicker when they came in contact with these creatures. Not long after, this ingredient was being considered as a base ingredient in some of the most effective line of skin care products.