Many people try to lighten their stretch marks by using stretch marks lotion. Both men and women face the problem of developing stretch marks due to rapid loss or the gaining of weight. Regions with high fat content like upper arms, underarms, breasts, the stomach, hips, buttocks and thighs are more prone to developing stretch marks.
Most women usually get stretch marks in the lower abdomen and breast after pregnancy and delivery. These marks are linear scars developed due to the damage of the collagen layer underneath the skin. Using a lotion is a simple and common way to lighten the marks.
There are different types of stretch mark lotions available on the market.
Alphahydroxyl Lotions
Many lotions contain alphahydroxyls, as they are useful in removing the marks by stimulating the production of collagen.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is a natural product that is rich in Vitamin E. Hence, it can be used with other natural products like Shea butter to act as an excellent moisturizer. Such moisturizing lotions aid in retaining the elasticity of the skin.
Lanolin Lotions
Lanolin is also referred to as wool wax as it is found in the sebaceous glands of the sheep to keep their fleece shiny. It is another popular ingredient in the stretch mark removal lotions because of its emollient property. This property also helps in moisturizing the skin.
How Do These Lotions Work?
To reduce or remove the stretch marks, skin care products have to work on all the three layers of the skin, namely, epidermis (outermost), dermis (middle) and subcutaneous stratum (innermost). During pregnancy or rapid weight gain, dermis gets damaged due to stretching and results in the tearing of dermal and epidermal layers. Due to this tearing of skin layers, collagen in those regions is lost, leading to the formation of stretch marks.
Stretch mark lotions aim at repairing the damaged layer of collagen, as a result of which the stretch marks can be made less visible. These lotions contain proteins, antioxidants and peptides to work at a cellular level for inducing the production of collagen and elastin naturally. Copper peptides in these lotions can minimize the formation of scars by altering the healing process of the skin.
Effectiveness
Complete or 100% removal of stretch marks is not possible with any of the available cosmetic procedures. The degree of recovery from stretch marks depends on the extent of the stretch marks. Results can be maximized if these stretch marks lotions are used soon after the formation of the stretch marks.
Advantages of Lotions
Stretch mark lotions can be easily and conveniently applied on the required area without taking any help from others. These lotions are considerably cheap in comparison to the cost of laser treatment for stretch mark removal.
Word of Caution
It is advisable to buy the lotions of well established or reputed skin care product companies. Also, check for the presence of harmful ingredients before buying stretch mark lotions. Consult your dermatologist before using stretch mark lotions for the first time.
