4 Ways to Get Rid of Stretch Marks (And 1 Surefire Way to Hide Them for Good)

One look at stretch marked skin can cause a woman to doubt her perfection and wish that all mirrors were liars.

While some women are genetically predisposed to stretch marks, other lucky ladies will never see the infamous red, purple and black lines of despair stretched across their inner and upper thighs.

While I haven't found the fountain of youth yet, I have discovered a few methods to reduce the visible signs of striations on your skin.

If you are one of the 90 percent of women who will see stretch marks in their lifetime, here's how to get rid of stretch marks, while bravely baring your bottom in lingerie all year long.

But first, a little stretch mark science lesson.

Stretch marks, also called singular striae by dermatologists, are caused by an overextension of the connective tissue of the skin due to a surge in hormones.

Typically, these skin striations are associated with pregnancy, growth spurts, obesity, and rapid weight gain.

Stretch marks can be found all over the body, but are typically located in areas where large amounts of fat settle.

Large butts, “the pooch” or stomach pouch underneath your belly button, upper arms, inner and outer thighs, hips and breasts are favorite target areas for these beauty marks.

Are there stretch mark removal methods that do not work?

1. Forget the tanning bed. Because the inner part of your skin, called the dermis, is torn during the formation of stretch marks, the epidermis will not darken the upper skin layer. Using this method to remove stretch marks will cause you to look like a zebra instead of a beach bunny.
2. Slathering cocoa butter on your skin, to remove stretch marks, is a faulty beauty myth. Cocoa butter is a sweet-smelling moisturizer that is the antidote to dry skin, but there is no scientific evidence that proves that cocoa butter works as a stretch mark removal treatment.

So how do you get rid of unsightly stretch marks?

Note: Stretch marks are much easier to treat when they are new.

All methods suggested below will be impacted by the color of your stretch marks, your diet and skin tone. Also, some of these recommended products will not remove the stretch marks entirely, but they will help to diminish their appearance.

Most importantly, it's the massaging of the skin that typically softens the appearance of the stretch marks, and will eventually get rid of the unsightly striations. To see results you must massage the area 2 to 3 times a day.

1Fight purple or red stretch marks with African shea butter and natural wheat germ oil.

According to WebMD, one study found that the use of natural wheat germ oil in the early stages of stretch mark formation works well.

If your stretch marks are darkly colored and have not turned white or silver, shea butter works well. But you must use the authentic stinky, smelly, nutty shea butter that comes directly from West Africa.

How do I know?

I tried this method to remove my stretch marks three years ago. And hallelujah, it worked!

After three weeks of constant rubbing the thick and greasy mixture into my skin, every morning and every night, my stretch marks disappeared.

Unfortunately, no watered-down and aesthetically pleasing shea butter formulation will work to remove stretch marks that have already turned white.

2Consider a medical procedure like chemical peels, lasers, and dermabrasion.

Your licensed dermatologist can perform these procedures, but not without a high cost. Laser treatments used to remove stretch marks, like  V-Beam and  Fraxel, stimulate collagen production to normalize and tighten skin.

These treatments can cost between $400 to $1,000 per session.

When your stretch marks are pink, red or purple, they respond best to Vbeam or Fraxel laser treatments. But once, the marks turn white, four to five Fraxel treatments are the best methods to remove them for good.

Treatments for dermabrasion range from $75 and $200, while $150 to $300 is the norm for chemical peels.

3Use stretch mark removal creams filled with retinol, glycolic acid, and Vitamin C.

Your dermatologist can prescribe scar creams that will help in the aid and repair of your skin.

While several over-the-counter stretch mark removal remedies claim to remove the tears in the dermis, very few, contain the high doses of alpha hydroxy acid needed to remove stretch marks effectively.

If you are pregnant, consult with your dermatologist, before using any over-the-counter treatments to remove stretch marks.

4 Try Bio-Oil to reduce the visibility of stretch marks.

This Amazon bestseller, with over 5,000 reviews and recommended as the ‘best multi-tasker' by OGLF.org has an advanced formulation to improve the appearance of scars, uneven skin tone, and stretch marks.

Containing the breakthrough ingredient PurCellin Oil, this amazing beauty product, is the  #1 selling scar and stretch mark oil in 18 countries and winner of 224 skincare awards.

For some, Bio-Oil is truly a miracle oil.

If you consistently apply this oil to your stretch marks, you will have good results.

But, due to potential irritation and botanical allergies from the fragrance, you should perform several skin patch tests to avoid any itching, inflammation or side effects.

But if all the treatments listed above fail,

5 Cover your stretch marks instantly with Dermablend.

Dermablend sells a leg and body cover that covers tattoos, skin burns, and varicose veins. This fantastic beauty product can help to hide imperfections like stretch marks for up to 16 hours.

Here's how to cover stretch marks with makeup, using Dermablend, your favorite concealer or full-coverage foundation.

1. 1. Clean the area that you want to cover first with soap and water, then apply a moisturizer.
   2. Cover your skin with a primer to help the makeup adhere to your skin.

Spread your concealer or liquid foundation over the stretch mark lines using a flat makeup brush. Cover the lines completely and not the surrounding skin. Let the area dry for 10 to 15 minutes before continuing to the next step.

1. Using a makeup blender, apply the Dermablend to the tool first, then blend it on the top of your skin using rolling and dabbing motions.
2. Brush a small amount of finishing or translucent powder over the area to set the makeup.
3. Spray the area with a matte setting spray to complete the stretch mark coverup process.
4. Let the product dry for a minimum of 30 minutes before putting on your clothes.