The stretch mark is the result of the dermis layer of the skin (the middle layer) stretching enough that the connective fibers break. Over time stretch marks can become a different color to normal skin tone - making them more pronounced.

For those who have lost considerable amounts of weight, stretch marks can become noticeable over time, as well as excess skin. healthren.com

Stretch Mark Removal

Removing stretch marks is not easy. Some over-the-counter skin treatments (oils and lotions) can help the skin to become more supple and soft but they won't completely remove the stretch marks. The best way is through laser surgery - unfortunately the price puts it out of reach for most people. healthren.com

Laser Surgery

Cosmetic laser surgery can reduce stretch marks anywhere on the body, including the abdomen, arms, chest and thighs. The skin is heated up and the damaged layers on top evaporate while the natural collagen underneath is remodeled into newer skin. healthren.com

Expect to pay about $600-$700 per session and probably 6-8 sessions (totalling $5000-$6000). Some people find the procedure painful, while others find it just uncomfortable. There are no guarantees of complete success, but this is the most successful method of removing stretch marks. healthren.com

Topical Creams

OHT Peptide-3 is (apparently) the most successful over-the-counter product for treating stretch marks. One bottle applied two times daily lasts 4 months. However we have no verification as to the success of this. healthren.com

Prescription creams such as Retin-A have been found to improve the appearance of stretch marks (reducing the redness in newer stretch marks).

Note that Retin-A is only appropriate for some pink stretch marks (not silver or pale marks or stretch marks over 1 year old).

Another popular treatment is StriVectin SD as recently featured on ABC's TheView. People seem to experience mixed results, and the product is not the best choice.

These treatments can seem expensive ($120-$140), but when compared with laser treatment - they are cheap - but results are mixed. healthren.com