7 Dirty Secrets of How to Remove Stretch Marks

I’m Bringing Sexy Back!

It was time to go and I was running late. It had taken me close to 45 minutes to find a bathing suit setup that would cover my belly, hips, and butt.

Why do you ask?

I hadn’t even given birth yet, and the lower half of my body looked like a zebra. I was pissed, frustrated, and stressed. My nephew was crying by the door because his goldfish had spilled across the entire hallway. My sister was honking the horn outside yelling for us to get in because the kids were late for their swim lesson.

After we finally hit the road, I burst into tears. It was at that moment that I realized this had to stop.

From that point on, I vowed I would do everything in my power to find a solution to wipe out my stretch marks once and for all. I had to save myself from a future where I simply didn’t recognize myself anymore. I was nearly 40 and didn’t feel confident, desirable, or comfortable in my own skin.

The truth is that the stretch mark treatment market value is $2.45 billion as of 2020. The market is expected to reach around $4 billion by 2026.

This means… I’m not alone. Unfortunately, 8 out of 10 pregnant women are affected by stretch marks. If you’re like me and you want to revive that part of yourself that once felt unstoppable, free, sexy, and beautiful – listen up!

What Many Women Don’t Know About Top Stretch Mark Removal Products!

After my husband went to bed, I spent endless nights researching online, calling my pregnant mom friends and reading about every stretch mark solution under the sun. I decided I was going to explore every highly rated product on the market – from stretch marks creams and lotions to silicone pads. I was determined to get rid of my embarrassing stretch marks once and for all.

This is my journey deep into the dark abyss of stretch mark removal products…and what I’ve found may shock you!

1. To put it bluntly…most products don’t work.

Much of the stretch mark removal product market growth is led by the stretch mark cream segment. But do creams work? Topical products are easy to use, most of them smell great, it’s easy to find clean ingredients…but honestly, they…just…don’t…work! My stretch marks range from older stretch marks that have faded into light streaks to reddish, and slightly depressed streaks. Creams intend to help with collagen elastin and the elasticity of the skin. While they do a great job moisturizing, the evidence is limited whether creams remove older stretch marks or prevent stretch marks from appearing in the first place. After about 6 weeks of a nightly stretch mark cream routine, I was getting frustrated. Looks like I wasn’t the only one with the sentiment…

RtopR

 

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1.0 out of 5 stars Doesn’t work at all!

“This stretch mark cream doesn’t work at all.”

“I have used it religiously for at least 4 weeks straight and it has made zero difference on my skin. Doesn’t exactly moisturize either and I have been itching quite a lot on the area I apply this. No good!”

2. If they do work, it takes way too long to Remove Stretch Marks.

Turns out that one of the best ways to treat stretch marks is to prevent them in the first place. Who knew? One of the best ways to prevent and reduce stretch marks is to improve the skin’s moisture levels and elasticity. Skin is made up of collagen and elastin. When the skin stretches rapidly due to pregnancy or rapid weight gain or loss, the production of collagen and elastin simply can’t keep up.

Creams with elastin and collagen in them aim to increase collagen production and hydration and are a great way to improve skin’s elasticity. Plus, when combined with the blood stimulating benefits of massage, collagen creams should help reduce the appearance of lighter stretch marks. I opted for a #1 best selling massage lotion for stretch marks. In terms of scent, and as far as a moisturizer goes…10/10.

However, the stretch marks are not gone and it’s been weeks. Basically, creams require a lot of patience. In all honesty, if stretch marks are relatively new, and not too deep, it is possible to see improvements in about 2 months. However, for deeper, older stretch marks it takes forever to disperse them. Unless you have ALOT of patience…don’t expect significant results.

Palmer’s Stretch Mark Lotion

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1.0 out of 5 stars

“After 6 weeks daily use, the stretch marks appeared and I’m still itchy! Bottle is empty now.”

“I bought this April 29th, at 5 months pregnant with my first child, and have since used it daily on my chest, stomach, things, hips, and rear. Prior to this, I’d used Bio-Oil daily for my entire pregnancy. It’s June 12th and the bottle of Palmers for stretch marks is empty – lasted 6 weeks. A little doesn’t go a long way. And sadly, the horrendous stretch marks just reared their head last week, at 28 weeks pregnant. Just as I entered my 3rd trimester. And my stomach and rear end still itch like crazy – a symptom of dry skin, despite this product. I don’t recommend, although I have nothing to recommend at this point.”

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3.0 out of 5 stars

“Great smell and feel but did not help with stretch marks at all.”

“This lotion is lightweight and smells nice, but it did absolutely nothing to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. I used this daily and still ended up with an insane amount of stretch marks. It also did nothing to lighten ones that had already appeared. It was good for moisturizing my skin when it felt tight and sore, but little beyond that.”

3. Rashes and harsh chemicals to remove stretch marks

Most of the products marketed to pregnant women are supposed to be pregnancy safe. This is a huge deal! I’m also extra sensitive to smells, and my skin is super sensitive too. This means I have to be extra careful before I try something. There are some known culprits that I’ve learned you have to watch out for. A lot of brands sneak these dangerous ingredients into their products.

Tretinoin –

This is an ingredient from a retinoid family, and also a known treatment for stretch marks. This ingredient could be extra harmful to your newborn and should be avoided at all costs.

Parabens –

Nowadays conscious consumers know to avoid parabens. Parabens are, unfortunately, added to many stretch mark creams. Parabens act as a microbial preservative. They have weak estrogen-type properties called EDC’s (or endocrine-disrupting chemicals). Stretch mark creams containing parabens expose you and your baby to potential risks like obesity and diabetes.

Fragrance –

Many stretch mark creams contain artificial ingredients. Strong artificial scents can make pregnant women nauseated, light-headed, agitated, and prone to headaches.

Phthalates & BPA –

Lastly, stay on the lookout for other chemicals like phthalates and BPA. Both have been linked to spontaneous pregnancy loss and behavior challenges. The best I can say is: read the ingredients in all the stretch marks creams you purchase VERY carefully.

Here’s what others have to say!

Bio Oil to remove stretch marks

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1.0 out of 5 stars

“Contains retinyl palmitate”

“I don’t know why they advertise this product to pregnant women. It contains retinyl palmitate which could be harmful to the unborn baby. Please do some research before purchasing this item if you are pregnant!!!! I obviously tried to return the item since it contains this ingredient but they won’t give me back the entire amount.”

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1.0 out of 5 stars

“Dangerously Allergic Rash Oil…Do Not Purchase!!!”

“Do not use if you have sensitive skin. The advertising of all natural ingredients is misleading and there are harmful chemicals hidden in this product. I’m pregnant with twins and used lightly on stretch marks, then a little on my legs, feet, arms and breast’s. A tiny amount was used on my belly. Within 2 days, I broke out in a nightmare rash. My fingers are covered in a pin needle flaring bumps. My legs, feet, and arms are on fire covered in the rash that is a variety of patches. Thank God there’s a minor rash on my belly since I didn’t use much on it. I hate this product and wished I would have just used something simple like coconut oil, but I trusted all these reviews and magazine articles saying it was a “miracle oil.” It’s a nightmare oil! Use of these chemicals in products should be illegal. If it works great for you, your skin must be triple thick leather. Don’t trust it! Never again!”

4. No more wasting time or money.

This is my first pregnancy, and it wasn’t like anyone had given me a heads up about this little stretch mark problem. Anyway, onward and upward. I tried a couple more higher-end stretch mark creams. You get what you pay for right? Wrong. The price tag on some of the higher-end stretch mark creams was hefty and most of the ingredients found in these pricier stretch mark creams did not work.

TriLASTIN Cream

 

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1.0 out of 5 stars

“Not effective and smells terrible”

“I used this cream twice a day start first trimester. It did not work at all. Don’t waste your money. Buy something cheaper and it might help more. They keep advertising this product but it is not effective.”

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1.0 out of 5 stars

“Do not waste your money!!!”

“For how expensive this product is, this cream did absolutely nothing. Biggest waste of money. I gave it a one star because the scent was decent.”

5. Not a one-stop shop.

Stretch mark creams aren’t a one-stop shop. You may need other products like moisturizers, serums, and sun protection lotions depending on the skincare routine you’re using. When creams are used in combination with another stretch mark solution or a device like a derma roller, or micro needling, (the use of small needles to prick the skin to generate new collagen and skin tissue) the chances of an effective stretch mark removal solution are higher.  That said, I noticed that having a regular skincare routine and using collagen-infused creams and ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera did help my skin look bright, youthful, and healthy! Years of a poor skincare routine does produce a deactivated, dull, and overstretched skin appearance. The big lesson: start taking care of your skin early on – it pays off!

Claraline Peptide Fusion Serum to remove stretch marks

 

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“A few days for visible changes” – Pageant Princess on Nov 11, 2019

“I grew up using makeup, I was always entering competitions. As my body went through various changes my skin became uneven in tone and then there the stretch marks. Claraline helped me to get back into shape (appearance). The effects were noticed in a matter of days.”

6. No needles, lasers, or plastic surgery.

I was losing hope. The last thing I wanted to do was go to a medical doctor for painful or invasive treatment. I’d read up on various medical options, and I was feeling discouraged. I really wanted to find something that wasn’t only pregnancy safe, but also effective, pain-free, and cost-effective. According to Acumen Research and Consulting, micro-needle, non-ablative, and fractionated lasers are the most widely used stretch mark removal methods by doctors. The demand for laser removal is increasing significantly due to fast results like even skin tone, improved skin texture, and a significant reduction in aging symptoms. However, laser treatment doesn’t necessarily work for older stretch marks. According to UKHealthCentre.Org treatments also require multiple sessions, and could come with side effects like discoloration and scarring. I was convinced that there was a less expensive and less risky solution. I decided to pass on a visit to the dermatologist until I had tried every other non-surgical, non-invasive cosmetic treatment option first.

Zustbeauty Dermaroller

 

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1.0 out of 5 stars

“My face got scarred and made holes”

“So here’s the thing. I tried the roller for the first time (as it was instructed) I even watch a lot of videos. I rolled it on my face very very gently and lightly because my skin is so sensitive but after a few days I woke up having a lot of scars from the roller. Like the holes from rolling it to my face. I was so upset and terrified cuz I didn’t even rolled it hard and I didn’t put too much pressure on it but my face looks like I have a lot of pores on both of my cheeks and my face builds up like some bumps that looks like pimples or zits but it wasn’t, my nose builds up a lot of blackheads too. I’m so scared it won’t close up or it might be permanent. Buying this will damage your skin!!

 

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1.0 out of 5 stars

“Don’t get this product!”

“I was micro-needling my face for the 2nd time and accidentally dropped the tool on the ground. When I dropped it, the Plastic that holds the needles opened up & dented! So I looked into it more. This company uses FAKE NEEDLES. Real needles are individually placed on the micro-needling tool. ALL 3 of the changeable heads revealed a “saw like” needle placement. Showing this is not medical grade nor real needles! Explains why I originally thought the needles were dull! Save your money, save your skin, don’t buy this product. It will do more harm than good! Also, the serums that came with the bundle are terrible! I immediately broke out after using them. Very sticky like, like glue almost! Yuck. Threw them out right away.”

7. The best-kept secret?

One of the most exciting findings of my research was silicone technology. Silicone pads were originally prescribed by doctors to help patients with scar removal after surgery. It was recently discovered that the same technology that removed surgical scars, also removes stretch marks. Silicone pads create a closed, breathable microclimate when placed on the skin. This microclimate draws moisture from the lower skin layers to the outside skin layers. This encourages, activates, and normalizes collagen production.

After just one application, my skin was significantly hydrated and my skin was noticeably smoother. Turns out that silicone fusion technology is the #1 clinically proven, fastest, and safest product available to prevent and reduce stretch marks! For me, this is definitely one of the best-kept secrets of stretch mark removal. If I had to choose between a top cream or silicone pad, this would be a no brainer.

Enhanced Silicone Fusion™ Stretch Mark System

Results!!

 

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1.0 out of 5 stars

“Okay, so I was hesitant at first when I purchased these patches as I have been burned in the past but I can say I have seen significant results since using these consistently! Even works on 32 year old Stretch Marks :)))” – Sarah Jessop on Nov 30, 2020

“My daughter in law bought the pregnancy patches and after using them and seeing a difference told me about how marvelously they worked. So, I think to myself, I have 32 year old stretch marks from pregnancy why not give it a go – and I did and I am pretty thrilled as the silicone pads have certainly lived up to their promise and my expectation of softening these older tiger stripes.”

It’s All In The Details

There are so many brands on the market for stretch mark silicone patches. Some brands do specialize specifically in pregnancy patches. Dermaclara has been leading the silicone fusion patch market for pregnant women for a few years. With the launch of their brand new Enhanced Silicone Fusion™ Stretch Mark System, major improvements can be expected!

Medical Grade

Dermaclara’s silicone patches are medical grade. This means that it’s the exact same technology that surgeons have been using to treat and reduce scars for over 30 years.

Breathable

Not all pads are created equal, and neither are all bodies or environments. This means that the patch has to adapt to both hot and cold environments, while not creating excessive sweating or discomfort.

Save Time & Money

Each patch can be reused and worn up to 15 – 30 times, saving you time and money!

Dermatologist Tested and Hypoallergenic

This is a silicone system you can trust. Say goodbye to rashes, harsh chemicals, and nauseating smells.

Take a Look at The Incredible Results from Silicone Fusion Pads

Let’s Get down To It: Pregnancy Creams vs. Patches

 

Ok, so here the deal: I’m not sold on stretch mark creams. When combined with a derma roller, or other effective stretch mark treatment like silicone fusion pads, they can do wonders. As a stand-alone solution? Pass. Like all scars, stretch marks are permanent. However, while some solutions don’t work at all, there are proven treatments that do completely diminish the visual effect of stretch marks. The ideal formula for stretch mark treatment is simple:

Collagen Boosting Moisturizer + Silicone Fusion Pads!

When matched with proper nutrition, exercise, and self-care like stress management or massage, you can prevent stretch marks before they even start.

Hopefully, these insights save you both time and money and give you the most direct route to the most obvious solution. What most women don’t realize is that there are so many expensive, harmful, gimmicky, and ineffective products on the market. Moreover, this is a billion-dollar industry, so it’s important to cut to the chase. Take it from me, the Enhanced Silicone Fusion™ Stretch Mark System from Dermaclara is one of the best silicone pad stretch mark solutions on the market. The best part? I already feel sexy and beautiful again…and you can too.