credits to Instyle magazine.
magazine edition : May 2008 Covermodel : Carrie Underwood
"The skinny on stretch marks"
magazine edition : May 2008 Covermodel : Carrie Underwood
"The skinny on stretch marks"
stripes might look hot on your bikini-but not your bottom ! From high-tech lasers to instant cover-ups, here's everything you need to know to smooth things over.
What causes them
Oh, the injustice ! Like so many other things in life, genetics calls the shots on how prone you are to developing stretch marks, those lines that form when collagen and elastin fibers within the skin tear. The good news ? "Gaining weight too quickly is what brings stretch marks, so you have some control," says N.Y.C dermatologist Doris Day.
How to prevent them
Try to avoid rapid weight increases, but when that's not possible(hello, you're pregnant), help skin stay pliant by rubbing in a thick, emollient cream made with cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid or shea butter(like sephora's, below) everyday. To prevent dryness, limit showers and baths to minutes and use warm, not hot, water. Then apply cream to slightly damp skin to lock in that moisture.
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtm...tter%20sampler#
Sephora Body Butter sampler $24/3; sephora.com
"Studies suggest stretch marks respond best to treatment when they're new."
- L.A. dermatologist Ronald Moy
Hue knew ?
The marks usually change from red or purple to white within six months.
How to TREAT stretch marks
Do it yourself "Nothing will erase stretch marks completely," says Ronald Moy, but products that thicken the skin will make the marks less noticeable. Look for creams that contain peptides, retinols or both(like MD Skinecare's). Or ask your doctor about Retin-A and other prescription-strength retinoids, which are more effective, says Moy.
MD Skincare Hydra-pure firiming body cream
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtm...;categoryId=B70
you can also get it at Ulta.
Going pro. . .
Fractional resurfacing
Though it's the most effective option, this laser treatment isn't foolproof by any stretch. "In the best case you'll see a 50 percent improvement," says Moy. During the treatment your skin is zapped by hundreds of tiny laser beams(each a millionth of an inch in diameter). Over the course of five to six sessions skin becomes tighter and new collagen forms.
Side effects: Some redness at the treated area for about a day.
Cost: $300-$500 per session for each area treated.
Microdermabrasion
By buffing the skin with tiny crystals, this procedure can make stretch marks somewhat less noticeable but won't get rid of them. In addition to removing dead skin cells at the surface it stimulates collagen production, which can create plumper, smoother appearance. "But the treatment is too superficial to really treat deeper damage," says dermatologist Doris Day.
Side effects: Some temporary redness in the treated area.
Cost: $100-$200 per session
Quick fix
Tinted selftanner hides lines instanly and the color lasts for day.
Victoria's Secret Bare Bronze Gleaming Self-Tan Body Tint; $18 victoriassecret.com
What causes them
Oh, the injustice ! Like so many other things in life, genetics calls the shots on how prone you are to developing stretch marks, those lines that form when collagen and elastin fibers within the skin tear. The good news ? "Gaining weight too quickly is what brings stretch marks, so you have some control," says N.Y.C dermatologist Doris Day.
How to prevent them
Try to avoid rapid weight increases, but when that's not possible(hello, you're pregnant), help skin stay pliant by rubbing in a thick, emollient cream made with cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid or shea butter(like sephora's, below) everyday. To prevent dryness, limit showers and baths to minutes and use warm, not hot, water. Then apply cream to slightly damp skin to lock in that moisture.
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtm...tter%20sampler#
Sephora Body Butter sampler $24/3; sephora.com
"Studies suggest stretch marks respond best to treatment when they're new."
- L.A. dermatologist Ronald Moy
Hue knew ?
The marks usually change from red or purple to white within six months.
How to TREAT stretch marks
Do it yourself "Nothing will erase stretch marks completely," says Ronald Moy, but products that thicken the skin will make the marks less noticeable. Look for creams that contain peptides, retinols or both(like MD Skinecare's). Or ask your doctor about Retin-A and other prescription-strength retinoids, which are more effective, says Moy.
MD Skincare Hydra-pure firiming body cream
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtm...;categoryId=B70
you can also get it at Ulta.
Going pro. . .
Fractional resurfacing
Though it's the most effective option, this laser treatment isn't foolproof by any stretch. "In the best case you'll see a 50 percent improvement," says Moy. During the treatment your skin is zapped by hundreds of tiny laser beams(each a millionth of an inch in diameter). Over the course of five to six sessions skin becomes tighter and new collagen forms.
Side effects: Some redness at the treated area for about a day.
Cost: $300-$500 per session for each area treated.
Microdermabrasion
By buffing the skin with tiny crystals, this procedure can make stretch marks somewhat less noticeable but won't get rid of them. In addition to removing dead skin cells at the surface it stimulates collagen production, which can create plumper, smoother appearance. "But the treatment is too superficial to really treat deeper damage," says dermatologist Doris Day.
Side effects: Some temporary redness in the treated area.
Cost: $100-$200 per session
Quick fix
Tinted selftanner hides lines instanly and the color lasts for day.
Victoria's Secret Bare Bronze Gleaming Self-Tan Body Tint; $18 victoriassecret.com
Credits to Insyle Magazine/ May 2008 / Carrie Underwood
