How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks ( Part 1 ) - International Version

Stretch marks can occur during sudden changes in body size, such as during pregnancy, puberty, or rapid weight-gain. 90% of pregnant women will get stretch marks around their abdomen, hips and thighs, and unfortunately, they seem to be genetic — if your mom had stretch marks, odds are that you will too.

Fear not, though. There are some things you can do to prevent stretch marks, as well as reducing the appearance of both new and old ones. Check out some of these options, listed from easiest to most difficult to execute.

(1) Use a moisturizer.

(1) Use a moisturizer. A study comparing herbal moisturizers found that people who lotioned-up daily showed significant improvement in skin appearance and elasticity. Think of it this way: if your skin has a lot of stretching to do, it's less likely to tear and create stretch marks if it's hydrated.

• Use lotion on new stretch marks, or on areas where you're worried about getting them in the future. Though using lotion on old stretch marks may still improve their appearance, it's probably not as effective as using them on fresh ones.
• If you're worried about the chemicals in over-the-counter moisturizers, make your own out of equal parts wheat germ oil, olive oil and aloe vera. The same study showed that this combination created the best DIY moisturizer.

(2) Use Retin-A

(2) Use Retin-A. A study from the University of Michigan suggests that people who use Retin-A (or a retinoic acid cream) on new stretch marks saw huge improvements. Retin-A is thought to boost collagen production, helping skin stretch out and avoid tears.

• Note that you should not use any products containing retinoic acid if you are pregnant or nursing. It can potentially cause birth defects in humans.
• Retin-A won't be as effective on old stretch marks.
• You'll probably need a prescription to get products such as Retin-A, Renova, Tazorac, and Differin (which all contain retinoic acid).
• Limit sun exposure of skin that you're treating with Retin-A. It could be more susceptible to burning.

(3) Use glycolic acid

(3) Use glycolic acid. Glycolic acid used on stretch marks can increase collagen production, as making your skin more elastic overall. As an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), it's in the same family of compounds often used in chemical skin peels.

• Glycolic acid is safe to put on your skin during pregnancy.
• Take extra care to keep skin that you're treating with glycolic acid out of the sun.
• Glycolic acid can be bought in over-the-counter. For a more intense treatment, you can get a stronger dose from a licensed dermatologist.

(4) Combine glycolic acid and Retin-A. 

(4) Combine glycolic acid and Retin-A. When used together, glycolic acid and Retin-A can dramatically improve the appearance of stretch marks. If you choose to do this, you might want to "prep" your skin with Retin-A before using a glycolic acid.

• Do not use Retin-A if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It can cause severe birth defects.
• If you need to see a doctor for a Retin-A prescription anyway, ask how he or she would suggest incorporating glycolic acid.

(5) Try Vitamin E oil.

(5) Try Vitamin E oil. Vitamin E oil is often said to be the miracle cure for stretch marks, though one study shows that it's most effective on women who have already been pregnant before, and has not been effective in general use. Still, it can't hurt in moderate doses.

• Try mixing your Vitamin E oil with a carrier lotion, such as a regular unscented moisturizer, for better coverage.

(6) Egg Oil.

(6) Egg Oil. Egg Oil if used regularly from the first trimester, can prevent pregnancy related stretch marks from appearing. Gently massage Egg Oil over the entire abdomen including sides and lower abdomen until the pubic area, twice a day starting from the 8th week of pregnancy until 6 months after delivery.

(7) Use essential oils.

(7) Use essential oils. Though there hasn't yet been a peer-reviewed study on how essential oils can heal stretch marks, they are currently used as a home remedy. You can apply them directly onto the skin, or use a carrier (such as coconut oil or an unscented moisturizer) to make application easier. Here are some oils commonly promoted for stretch marks:

• Lavender
• Rose
• Frankincense
• Geranium
• Helichrysum
• Myrrh