Stretch marks aren't a life or death matter, but they can wreck havoc on your self-esteem. Stretch marks usually appear around the thighs, hips, abdomen, and the upper arm area. They are the natural result of sudden weight fluctuations mostly due to growth spurts and pregnancy.

Stretch marks, also known as striae, appear because the skin is pushed beyond its elastic limit. To compensate, the body produces scar tissue to breach the tears that the stretch produces. Initially stretch marks are reddish-purple but eventually turn a silvery-white color.

For the most part, this scar tissue can be covered up with clothing. Nevertheless, people who suffer from stretch marks may spend the hot summer months covered from head to toe just to keep their stretch marks hidden.

Preventing Stretch Marks from Appearing

In order to help prevent stretch marks, you need to make sure that your skin is at its best. This means that the skin should be able to stretch with great ease to accommodate a change in body size.

In order to avoid stretch marks, it is helpful to use a high quality skin cream that contains elastin and collagen stimulators. These stimulators will help promote the production of elastin and collagen and prevent the appearance of stretch marks.

Another precaution that you should take is to gain or lose weight slowly. By doing this, your skin will have the chance to stretch gradually without tearing.

How to get rid of Stretch Marks Effectively and Naturally

Unfortunately, genetics plays a big part in the development of stretch marks. Therefore, sometimes it seems almost impossible to avoid getting stretch marks. However, if genetics plays a part in your stretch mark formation then you need to find a real stretch mark cream capable of getting to the root cause of your condition.

Creams that contain snail serum and/or rose hip oil are ideal for treating stretch marks. These types of stretch marks creams use biological activators like those of your body's own regenerative processes to eliminate stretch marks. These activators are capable of triggering and controlling the synthesis of collagen, elastin and GAGs and the replacement of flawed skin with healthy skin cells.

With daily use these types of creams can 'digest' flawed cells, gently dissolve skin lesions, reduce and even erases all signs of stretch marks. They also destroy pathogens and trigger the regeneration of normal collagen thereby improving elasticity.

Microdermabrasion is also an option for stretch marks. This isn't a cure-all for stretch marks, so keep that in mind when looking for an effective stretch marks removal method.