Stretch marks affect both men and women, both fat and slim people, as do 70% of teenage girls and up to 90% of pregnant mothers. So if they have made an appearance on your body, chances are they are not a welcome addition, and something you want to get rid of fast. A good removal cream is definitely an option worth considering to deal with these unsightly striations.

Stretch marks, or striae, are scars that have formed in the dermis (the layer that gives the skin its shape and structure) layer of the skin due to the rupturing of the collagen and elastin fibers, following rapid skin stretching caused by pregnancy, rapid weight gain, or growth spurts. The visible result on the surface of the skin is initially dark red or purple scarring, which gradually fades to a pale silvery white color over time.

The texture of this skin is different to that of normal skin and an effective stretch mark removal cream is one of the methods of reducing the appearance of these lines on our bodies, and of preventing further stretch marks occurring.

So if a topical approach to eliminating these striae is something you are investigating, you need to make sure you invest in a quality cream. For although there are plenty of options on the market today, not all products live up to their promises.

The most effective creams work by penetrating the dermis and promoting repair and regrowth to the collagen and elastin fibers where the scarring takes place. The cream should basically do two things: reduce the appearance of existing marks and prevent new ones developing.

Of course, prevention, as they say, is better than cure, so for example if you are pregnant, while not certain, there is a very high probability you will develop stretch marks, most likely in the third trimester, so it would be worthwhile using a cream right from the get go as a preventative measure. Just make sure your cream doesn’t contain Tretinoin (Retin-A) as there are potential side effects to your baby with this.

A good removal cream is a popular choice for many people, because it is effective, readily available, and relatively inexpensive compared to other treatment options such as microdermabrasion or surgery. Also, if you are buying online, many of these creams offer volume discounts, so by purchasing several months supply at once you end up paying a lot less. Most reputable companies offer a money back guarantee, so if you are getting the results you want then you will have benefitted from the discounted rate, and you will be buying more, if not, you just send back for a refund.

The bottom line is that, for most people, a stretch mark removal cream is a viable and cost effective option which can help eliminate stretch marks and prevent new ones occurring.