Top 2 Methods to Clear Stretch Marks
If there ever were a skin issue to stump me, it would likely be stretch marks. Thankfully, I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.
Stretch marks are superficial abnormalities in pigmentation representing widespread damage to the collagen matrix in your dermis.
As such, I believe efforts to clear up stretch marks should target either (or both!) of these mechanisms:
Stimulate the production of collagen using retinoids
Surface-level chemical exfoliation using alpha hydroxy acids (remember how we talked about clearing up back acne and hyperpigmentation?)
The first method will be most effective, but I developed the second method for women who shouldn’t be using retinoids (read: those trying to conceive, pregnant, or nursing).
If possible, you’ll want to target stretch marks while they’re fresh.
If they’re newly formed and still purple/red, my recommendations are more likely to be effective.
If it’s been a few years since they’ve formed and they are now white, it’s less likely anything we do topically will help.
That being said, there’s still no harm in trying.
Everyone’s body is different, and it makes more sense to try topical methods of treatment before bringing in the big guns (read: lasers).
For your convenience, I’ve linked the products that I used to fade stretch marks on my test subjects, but you can use whatever products you like as long as the active ingredients I’ve listed in the protocols are the same.
So, here’s exactly what I would do to clear up stretch marks: