Endermologie Treatment for Stretch Marks

The French Endermologie treatment, a a FDA cleared procedure, is said to fade stretch marks. It is used for many complaints but mainly in treating cellulite, trapped fat deposits, scarring after liposuction, and as a way to fade stretch marks.

With this machine-assisted massage system rollers and gentle suctioning are applied to intensively and deeply massage affected areas. This way the problem area is exfoliated and blood flow circulation is increased. The exfoliation in conjunction with the stretching of the fibers is thought to aid with fading stretch marks.

Endermologie is a safe and non invasive therapy because no surgery is necessary and there are no risks on complications. Typically a treatment of at least 5 sessions is needed to see results.

After doing some research I didn't find any reports proving its efficacy on striae. So whether it is effective in fading stretch marks remains unclear.

Tretinoin Creams for Stretch Marks

Studies have shown topical tretinoin (Retinoic Acid) improves early stretch marks. Conclusion of this particular study:

Topical application of tretinoin significantly improves the clinical appearance of early, active stretch marks.

Tretinoin is the acid form of vitamin A. It is a drug commonly used to treat acne and for fading stretch marks. It is available as a cream or gel and works by increasing collagen production in the dermis.

Brand names are Renova, Aberela, Stieva-A, Avita and Retin-A which are all prescription creams.

People with sensitive skin might experience side effects such as redness, itching, and burning. Following the physician's recommendations is recommended when starting this treatment.

Prescription vs Over the Counter Retinoids

Retinoids are derived from and chemically related to vitamin A. Creams containing the retinoids retinol and retinaldehyde can be obtained over the counter at pharmacies, groceries and online.

Aquiring the aforementioned topical retinoid tretinoin requires a doctor's prescription.

Will Lotion Prevent Stretch Marks ?

Topical use of olive oil, lemon juice, barmon, cocoa butter and other lotions or creams all have been advocated as a preventive measure or working post treatment. Studies show that their effectiveness in still in debate.

Also the exact cause of striae is uncertain. Studies have shown stretch marks tend to be more extensive in heavier or obese women. Thus the conclusion that watching your weight can be beneficial might seem logical. But regulating your body weight and overall volume will not ensure you will not develop striae.

What we do know is that regular massage is beneficial to the skin. Although it might aid in prevention and improvement of stretch marks this isn't sure either.

Research has shown there are a few lotions that have shown efficacy. One of them is a cream containing Centella asiatica extract, Gotu Kola, alpha tocopherol vitamin E) and collagen-elastin hydrolysates was associated with less women developing stretch marks. Source: PubMed.gov

The brand name of this lotion is Trofolastin. The Trofolastin anti stretch mark lotion is developed and marketed in Spain by Novartis, and is recommended by many Spanish nurses and physicians.

"A daily application of Trofolastin can significantly reduce the likelihood of susceptible women developing stretchmarks during pregnancy".

The bad news is that Trofolastin is unavailable in the US or Australia.

Other research shows vitamin A (Topical Tretinoin, Retinoic Acid) improves early stretch marks. A very popular lotion containing both vitamin A and E as well as Aloe Vera and grapeseed oil is Revitol. You can find more information on this natural product here: Stretch Mark Prevention

Best Stretch Marks Products

When it comes to choosing the best stretch marks product a few criteria have to be examined. The most important is which active ingredients the product contains.

Also crucial is the quantity of these active agents. (some products contain very low amounts of a certain product only to be able to mention this ingredient on the label)

Apart from the active ingredient, the so called delivery system is most important. Examples of effective delivery systems or carriers are liposomes and micro-sponges.

Also a close look at product reviews can be taken. Although a fair amount of these reviews are not unbiased an overall impression can be obtained.

And finally the company's reputation. Is it trustworthy? Do they offer good customer care?

All these criteria together can be helpful in finding the best stretch marks product on the market. More detailed information on this subject can be found here.

Stretch Marks on Breasts | Moisturize and Massage

As with all locations on the body stretch marks on the breasts can be an emotional burden to many women.

Causes of stretch marks on breasts are most commonly thought to be rapid growth of bust size. This usually happens during puberty, pregnancy, and weight gain. When the delicate bust tissue expands the skin contract which can result in the development of stretch marks.

Several renowned scientists however, say hormonal changes are the dominant cause.

Collagenase is an enzyme which also plays a role in the development of conventional scars. It is thought that when collagenase production or circulation is stressed by hormonal changes it can cause damage in the deeper layers of the skin (dermis) by disrupting collagen fibers. This might lead to a weakened secton of the skin which is more vulnerable for tension and stretching. Which will be the cause to stretch marks development.

This could also explain why some young girls develop striae during puberty without the presence of rapid weight gain.

Just like all scars (stretch marks are a type of scars) generally, stretch marks can not be removed completely. But with the use of a good product and some DIY home treatments they can be faded to a considerable extent. This is of course dependable on many things such as overall health, genetics, lifestyle, whether someone drinks alcohol and smokes, and so on.

Maintaining a healthy and well balanced diet and the daily intake of sufficient water benefits skin hydration. This will help prevent developing and support the fading process (to a certain degree) of stretch marks.

The more the elasticity and own recovering traits of the skin are promoted the better the final result will be. Hydrating creams don't have to be expensive. Studies have shown that for example petrolatum based creams e.g. Vaseline are just as good or maybe even better than a popular cream as Mederma. It is thought this is due to the hydrating properties of petrolatum creams.

Another DIY home remedy is massage. Regularly massaging the bust tissue and skin with the use of hydrating agents can also benefit the skin's elasticity and recovering abilities.