If there’s one thing you should know for sure, it’s that stretch marks can be extremely annoying. While the most commonly known cause of stretch marks for women is pregnancy, that is not the only cause. The occurrence of stretch marks not only prevails amongst men, but also among women who are not pregnant. In other words, people of all age groups can experience this on their skin.

Stretch marks can dampen the appearance of your body and ultimately, your self-esteem. This is why most people end up resorting to a variety of beauty treatments in order to get rid of stretch marks. However, not all treatments are effective and can even end up having some seriously harmful side effects.

Causes of Stretch Marks
Different colored stretch marks are typically associated with different types of causes. For instance, red stretch marks are directly linked to weight gain. Stretch marks can occur due to various other reasons, such as pregnancy, growth spurts, family history, rapid muscle growth and even some underlying health conditions. However, one of the most important reasons behind the appearance of stretch marks is weight fluctuation.
Gaining a lot of weight within a short span of time ends up exerting a lot of pressure on your skin, causing it to stretch out considerably in order to accommodate the increased body mass. Since everyone’s body functions differently, people tend to gain more weight in certain areas of their body compared to others. Therefore, the appearance of stretch marks occurs in those areas of the body where you can excess pounds. Another thing to note is that losing excess weight during a short span of time can also lead to the occurrence of stretch marks.
Stretch Mark Symptoms
While the appearance of streaky and rippled lines on your skin is a major giveaway of stretch marks, there are many other symptoms that come along with it. The development of new stretch marks causes a slight rise in your skin and results in extreme itchiness. Due to rapid weight gain, you will notice the appearance of red stretch marks. However, over time, these red stretch marks can fade from red to pink to purplish-blue, and then end up becoming pale and white.
Here are some of the most common parts of your body where stretch marks appear:

Stomach or torso
Back
Arms
Buttocks
Breasts
Shoulders
Hips


How to Make Stretch Marks Fade?
If you are wondering how to get rid of stretch marks after weight gain, here are some of the best stretch mark removal methods.
1.     Exfoliation
The simplest way to get rid of stretch marks is through regular exfoliation. The exfoliation process helps remove excess dead skin from the part of your body where there are stretch marks. However, an important thing to note is that exfoliation isn’t the ultimate solution to get rid of stretch marks.
This method will only be effective if it is used alongside other treatment methods. The main reason behind this is that getting rid of dead skin from your stretch marks can make way for other skin treatments to penetrate your skin more deeply and faster, delivering enhanced results.
2.     Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a very simple and painless procedure that helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks. This treatment targets the epidermis, which is the upper layer of your skin. It stimulates this area to tighten the elastin fibers and enhance the efficiency of collagen.
A typical microdermabrasion procedure entails using minute exfoliating crystals that are sprayed all around the stretch mark-affected area. A special wand is then used to gently remove the crystals from this area, removing the dead skin from the epidermis along with it.
After getting the microdermabrasion procedure, you can expect your skin to feel very dry and tight. Moreover, you might also experience some redness as a result of the earlier exfoliation process. However, this redness will fade and your skin will heal within 24 hours of the procedure. This procedure has to be repeated a few times over a period of time in order to be effective. However, microdermabrasion doesn’t guarantee the complete removal of stretch marks, as the severity of a person’s stretch marks can influence the results.
3.     Microneedling
Another way to get rid of stretch marks is through microneedling, a process that targets the middle layer of your skin called the dermis. This procedure includes tiny needles that are made to invade your skin in order to enhance the production of collagen. An increase in the quantity of elastin and collagen promotes the regeneration of skin that not only improves the appearance of your skin and reduces stretch marks.  
While microneedling has been shown to be a really effective treatment for the reduction of stretch marks, it can’t be the only treatment that you receive for it. You will have to get multiple sessions of microneedling in order to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

4.     Laser Therapy
Another common option to get rid of stretch marks is laser therapy. This procedure entails the use of lasers that penetrate the skin and trigger regeneration. This process increases the stimulation in the tissues surrounding your stretch marks, pushing them to heal at a faster pace.
Laser is considered as a great option as it stimulates the production of melanin within the affected area and activates pigment cells in your skin. This causes your stretch marks to blend in with your natural skin tone. However, if you choose to opt for laser therapy, you should know that you will require multiple sessions to get noticeable results. Also, there are various laser therapies you can opt for, depending on the severity of your stretch marks.
5.     Cosmetic Surgery
One of the most effective and invasive procedures that can help you get rid of stretch marks is cosmetic surgery. While it is a rather expensive procedure, it is definitely more effective than most options. However, you need to know that surgery can leave behind scars of its own.
The best cosmetic procedure to get rid of stretch marks from weight gain is known as an abdominoplasty, or a tummy tuck in simple words. This procedure not only helps get rid of stretch marks, but also removes excess fat and skin from your abdominal area. Therefore, this procedure will be targeting both, your weight gain and your stretch mark problem. However, every surgical procedure comes with it its own fair share of risks that you will have to consult a doctor for.
6.     Topical Treatments
Another easy and convenient way to bid farewell to your stretch marks is with the application of a topical treatment. You can easily get your hands on affordable over-the-counter stretch mark and cellulite removal cream. Since some stretch mark creams can cause allergic reactions, you should opt for a natural cream for stretch marks like the one by ML Delicate Beauty!
Conclusion
All in all, stretch marks are a very common issue that affect the appearance of your skin and dampen your self-confidence. There are many options to get rid of stretch marks. While some of them are effective, they aren’t convenient, and the convenient ones are very effective. However, the best and most convenient option for you is to opt for a good stretch mark removal cream!
Are you currently doing anything to get rid of your stretch marks? Let us know in the comments below!
 
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About Author:

Jennifer Valdino is a Facialist and Skincare Expert. She frequently shares her general approach to caring for your skin through many public speeches. Jennifer truly understands how confidence having a bad skin can be, and she’s passionate about sharing her knowledge for tackling it. She knows first-hand how skin is so intrinsically linked to confidence as well as the best science-backed method to handle it. 

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Opinions expressed are those of the writer.