Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The Ingredients that Make Stretch Mark Creams Work

By Claire Jenkins

Have you tried different creams to improve the appearance of your skin? To get soft, smooth skin like young people you need to follow a daily routine of skin care. When it comes to stretch marks, it becomes very ugly and you want to get rid of them as soon as possible.

There is a lot of incorrect market information on which creams that are effective and which are not. Many creams do not work at all while others may, and some are downright harmful to your skin. So which kind of cream should you be looking for when it comes to the fight against stretch marks?

You must first know that stretch marks are the result of over stretching the skin in a very short time causing the breakdown of skin elasticity that forms scars. When they first appear, stretch marks are red or purple on the skin streaks. When they fade to a white or off white color.

Pregnancy and obesity are two of the most frequent and commonly known causes of stretch marks, but they are certainly not the only way to get them. Bodybuilders often get stretch marks too because they build muscle mass in very short periods of time and their skin can not keep up. Men and women both get them, contrary to what some believe.

If you plan to lose lots of weight quickly, or if you are pregnant, you should take steps to avoid prevent stretch marks, but if you already have them, you can be treated as laser resurfacing or use creams to reduce their appearance.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps to prevent the damage of stretch marks from occurring. Stretch mark creams that contain this ingredient are typically most effective. This is why cocoa butter, which is rich in vitamin E, is such a popular choice for those looking for the best ways to combat these pregnancy scars.

Emu oil is another popular ingredient in many products. It has been used for thousands of years by the Aborigines in Australia and has been proven to treat scars, burns and many other conditions. It comes from the Emu bird, a cousin of the ostrich, and the oil is extracted from its upper back and used for clinical purposes.

While it is impossible to know how a specific product will work for you before you buy it, there are still a few steps you can take to protect yourself and your money. Research the product before you buy it by visiting review websites and the manufacturers own website. Then make sure the company will provide you a full money-back guarantee so that you can get a complete refund if you are not happy with the results. - 15338

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