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 middle layer of the skin is called the dermis, and when stretched to a point that its elasticity breaks down, out comes a stretch mark.

Question is, what can be done about them?

Fortunately, there are options to choose from.

Today's Available Stretch Mark Treatment Options

Surgery is the route to take if you are willing to take the hit on the bank account. The stomach is where stretch marks can be removed surgically in what's called abdominoplasy surgery, or the 'tummy tuck.' By tightening and molding the stomach walls excess fat and skin are removed which lessen the appearance of the stretch marks. The downside here is that it is expensive, painful, and has a long recovery time.

An additional surgical option is laser treatment. Energy shot through cosmetic lasers is absorbed into the dermal layer of the skin to stimulate the production of new collagen. The collagen then thickens which leads to the plumping of the skin that fills in the stretch mark from below. Laser treatment is not effective however for any stretch mark beyond the immature strange when they 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.

Turning to non-surgical procedures, microdermabrasion is an attractive option due to its pain-free aftermath and cost efficient price tag. One can have it done at a beauty spa or use the at home method of a microdermabrasion cream. It works by eliminating the top layer of the skin by using abrading microcrytals to wear it down. It triggers collagen and elastin production to create a newer and healthier skin to replace to the original stretch mark laced one.