How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks ( Part 2 ) - International Version

(8) Supplemental 

(8) Increase your Vitamin C intake. One dermatologist suggests that 500 mg of Vitamin C, taken as an oral supplement, can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

• For even better results, try using a topical glycolic acid along with Vitamin C.

(9) Laser Treatment 

 (9) For fresh stretch marks, use a pulsed dye laser (aka vascular laser). A pulsed dye laser set at 585-nm was shown to reduce stretch marks in post-partum Korean women. This sort of treatment can take down the initial redness, and is best used on early marks (that have not yet turned silver).

• Be prepared to hand over a chunk of money for vascular laser treatments. Three to six sessions are required, priced around $450 each.
• Vascular laser treatments won't be effective for women with darker skin. Much like laser hair removal, the process works best when there's a large contrast between the target (in this case, the red stretch marks) and the pigment of the skin.

(10) Laser Treatment Options

 (10) For older stretch marks, try a fractional laser treatment (aka laser resurfacing). For stretch marks that are no longer discolored but are still indented, you can use resurfacing with a "fractional" laser that focuses on small areas. The laser is aimed at the edges of stretch marks, smoothing over the surface of the skin.

• You could need up to three fractional laser treatments; each treatment could cost around $1000.
• Hyperpigmentation and scarring are potential side effects of fractional laser treatments.

(11) Surgical Options

 (11) Get an abdominoplasty (aka tummy tuck). The only certain way to get rid of stretch marks is to — you guessed it — cut them out. If you've tried everything else and can't stand the tiger stripes, a tummy tuck might be the ticket.

• Be prepared for the cost. In the United States, an abdominoplasty can run between $4000 and $20,000.
• Be aware of the risks. As with any major surgery, there are life-threatening complications that can arise from a tummy tuck.
• Plan on a long recovery. You can expect to take 2 to 4 weeks off work, and spend 3 to 6 months before you're fully healed.

(12) Surgical Options

 (12) Consider a "mommy makeover," or a combination deal. Some post-partum women get a tummy tuck, a breast lift, and liposuction all in one procedure.

(13) Cocoa butter

 (13) Cocoa butter has not been proven to reduce stretch marks. In a double-blind study, cocoa butter was not shown to have any discernible effect on stretch marks. Be wary of marketing schemes that claim otherwise.

(14) Peptide-containing products

(14) Peptide-containing products also haven't been proven to work. "Repair" creams or serums that claim to contain peptides or proteins have not been proven to restore skin damaged by stretch marks.