Stretch marks are the scars and tissues left behind when your skin is overstretched. This can occur most commonly with pregnancy, extreme weight lifting and extreme weight loss. Stretch marks appear initially as red lines and then over the course of a few months will slowly fade to the faded weight color we are most familiar with. You will find stretch marks most often appear on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, legs and upper arms. Although stretch marks cannot be avoided many times, you no longer have to live with them.

If you are sick of your stretch marks and are interested in getting rid of them once and for all than there are several different approaches you can take. First you can choose from natural home remedies or cosmetic procedures. Some home remedies include:

• Understanding that like any scar, time will fade them if you are willing to wait
• Exfoliating daily with a loofah or scrunch can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks significantly
• There are many stretch mark creams and lotions available today which can help reduce the appearance and eventually erase them altogether. These creams include ingredients such as Cocoa butter, Rose hip oil, Emu oil, Castor oil and Shea butter which are incredibly beneficial for stretch mark relief
• Tanning can diminish or even eliminate minor stretch marks in just one summer
• Taking baths and massaging the problem areas regularly can increase circulation and therefore slowly decrease the look of stretch marks for good

These natural and home remedies have been found to be very successful by men and women all over the world. If you are looking for a medical or cosmetic procedure to get rid of your stretch marks immediately, here is a comprehensive list to look into.

• Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure which is most often performed in spas where the top layer of your skin is actually completely removed by chemical or mechanical means.
• Endermologie is a technique where machines and tools are used to massage the problem area and create a larger circulation flow which then expels the toxins.
• Laser therapy is a less common procedure for stretch marks but can reduce the appearance of stretch marks if done correctly. Speak to your dermatologist about this option in depth.

These medical and cosmetic procedures can and will get rid of your stretch marks permanently but they can be quite costly and may require a bit of healing time directly afterwards. No matter which method you choose, natural or medical, it is important to be aware of the proper way to prevent stretch marks from returning once you have had them removed.

Vitamin E, A and C supplements have been proven to help reduce the onset of stretch marks and help in the prevention as well. If you are looking to avoid taking supplements the simple lotioning of your skin on a regular basis with skin creams which include Shea butter and Cocoa butter can help in stretch mark prevention as well. Keeping your skin as well as your body hydrated at all times can help even a pregnant woman reduce the look of stretch marks or even stretch marks altogether.