Cosmetic Surgery for Stretch Marks

You can get stretch marks for all sorts of reasons, such as pregnancy, weight gain, bodybuilding or growth during puberty. Stretch marks occur when the skin's collagen breaks down. You can help heal stretch mark scars by massaging stretch marks with cocoa butter. You can also cover them with makeup, or you can get rid of them with cosmetic surgery.

Try dermabrasion to smooth out irregularities on your skin from the stretch marks. Dermabrasion treats the surface areas of your skin using a sanding wheel. Dermabrasion cannot go below the surface, but can soften some irregularities.

If you have stretch marks on your abdomen, you can get an abdominodermatolipectomy, otherwise known as a tummy tuck, to remove the stretch-marked skin. Any remaining scars can be lowered, and new scars from the procedure can be low enough to be covered by a bathing suit.

Another option is a chemical peel. The benefits can be similar to dermabrasion. Lasers are another option and may work to reduce the depth and color of stretch marks.

If you wish to remove stretch marks, consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. You can find one through the American Board of Plastic Surgery.