While most cases of stretch marks are caused by a rapid increase of weight, rapid growth or hormonal changes, some can be caused by the use of certain medication. Topical and oral corticosteroids are known to increase the likelihood of stretch marks.

Some medical conditions can also result in stretch marks forming: problems with the adrenal gland or some rare genetic disorders can result in stretch marks.

For those who develop stretch marks during adulthood, they can lead to great distress and a lack of confidence. While some people are lucky enough to have limited and rather pale stretch marks, others can be afflicted with dark stretch marks that can extend beyond the areas typically affected.

In these cases, stretch mark removal treatment can provide real relief and allow an individual to regain confidence in their appearance. Microdermabrasion removes damaged layers of skin, while laser treatment stimulates the production of collagen and new and healthy skin cells.

• Hereditary factors: if members of your family have them, you are more likely to get them, too;
• Age: perhaps surprisingly, younger women are at a higher risk of developing stretch marks;
• Size: if the expectant mother is overweight or obese, she will be more likely to end up with stretch marks. A large baby will also put much more pressure on the skin of the abdomen.

Most stretch marks develop during the final trimester, simply because this is the time when the baby grows very quickly. They tend to be linear marks that can range in colour from a pale pink not too dissimilar from the surrounding skin, to deep purple marks.

Obviously, they can affect the skin on the stomach, but they can also appear on the breasts, the buttocks, the thighs and even the arms.

There is little consensus on the effectiveness of preventative treatments as people tend to respond differently, although it is thought that keeping the skin well-moisturised can help, as can the massage used to apply treatment.

• People can be more genetically predisposed to getting stretch marks;
• They can also be caused by the changes to hormone levels during pregnancy, which can have an effect on collagen production and the elastic capacities of the skin;
• Weight gain is inevitable during pregnancy, and this change in volume is the reason why the skin is put under so much pressure. Excessive weight gain should be avoided, while making sure that nutrition is sufficient for both mother and baby’s needs;
• It is very difficult to prove whether skin products can prevent stretch marks, although there is some argument that ensuring skin is well-nourished and sufficiently hydrated can help it to remain supple. The creams and oils can also help to minimise the itchy sensations caused by stretch marks.
• If stretch marks do appear despite your best efforts, then stretch mark removal can produce great results. A combination of microdermabrasion and laser therapy can remove damaged layers of skin and encourage the production of collagen and new skin cells.

Unfortunately, pregnancy can leave behind stretch marks that can compromise how you feel about showing off your body. Stretch marks can appear on the breasts, stomach, buttocks and thighs and they can be extensive and noticeable.

But, is there any way to prevent them forming in the first place?

It is thought that somewhere between 75 and 90% of women develop stretch marks during pregnancy, so it would seem that preventing them is very difficult. And yet, they can be minimised, and you can help your skin to cope better with the stresses placed upon it.

• Keep your skin hydrated and nourished. Creams, serums and oils, such as Rose E oil, can help the skin to stay supple and soft, which will help it stretch and ease any discomfort.
• Watch your weight. You may feel like you should be eating for two, but excessive weight gain will increase the likelihood of stretch marks.
• If, despite everything your skin ends up marked, consider stretch mark removal to improve its appearance.

So, if you want to avoid remaining covered up this summer, you need to do something about those stretch marks. Stretch marks start off red or purple when they first form, then fading to a less noticeable silver.

But the scar tissue that makes up stretch marks no longer has the same pigmentation as the surrounding skin, and will not tan either. This means they can get more rather than less noticeable if you are spending time on the beach.

Most of us find it hard enough as it is to expose our bodies in bikinis and beach gear, but stretch marks can make it even harder. Luckily, stretch mark removal treatment can produce great results, causing the pigmentation differences to fade away and improving the appearance of the skin’s texture.

There are other options to keep us mere mortals stretch mark-free, however. It is vital that skin is kept nourished and hydrated as it is stretched so that it remains as elastic as possible. The Laser Treatment Clinic’s Stretch Mark Serum is ideal for protecting the skin during pregnancy and helping it to cope with the pressures of weight gain.

Rose E oil is also recognised for its incredible healing and regenerative properties that can help skin to renew itself. This natural product is extracted from the seeds of the rosehip plant that grows high in the Chilean Andes.

A final alternative for dealing with problematic stretch marks is microdermabrasion and laser therapy, which removes the damaged layers of skin and encourages the production of new skin cells and collagen.

It can be used to remove stretch marks, acne scars and for pigmentation treatment, but what does it actually involve?

Microdermabrasion involves using a hand-held device that directs a stream of very fine, medical-grade crystals over the surface of the skin. The crystals and dead skin cells are simultaneously removed through suction.

When used correctly, microdermabrasion removes the superficial layers of the skin while respecting the skin’s natural structure.

The laser is usually applied after microdermabrasion, and can often feel like an elastic band is being flicked on the skin’s surface. It can cause pinpoint bleeding and inflammation, but this quickly subsides as the skin heals. The epidermal renewal usually takes between four and five days, after which an improvement can be seen in the texture and appearance of the skin.

While the microdermabrasion can cause a scratching sensation, and the laser can be mildly uncomfortable, the skin is not damaged and is encouraged to renew itself in a safe and controlled way.

Your body’s healing mechanism repairs the damage, but the replacement tissue differs from the surrounding skin tissue. Stretch marks have a different texture from normal healthy skin and although the redness can fade over time, they usually remain silvery rather than taking on the same colour of your undamaged skin.

Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body, although they commonly affect the stomach, arms, breasts and thighs. This can make wearing certain clothes difficult, and although make-up can be used to camouflage the marks, this can be time-consuming and unpractical.

Stretch mark removal using microdermabrasion and laser treatments offers an alternative, permanent solution that can dramatically improve the appearance of your skin. The damaged layers of skin are gently and uniformly removed, revealing healthy skin. The laser stimulates collagen production and the growth of healthy new skin cells.

This treatment can help you to feel the full benefits of your weight loss and to discover a new confidence in your appearance.

The resulting repair process leaves a mark that is initially red or purple, before fading over time to become a silver colour. Remedies for improving their appearance range can be found everywhere, but for real results, laser stretch mark removal is the most effective form of treatment.

But why have it done?

• The change in the pigmentation of the skin is permanent, and they will become more noticeable when the surrounding skin is tanned.
• Stretch marks can appear almost anywhere on the body where the skin is stretched, although they usually tend to form on the stomach, thighs and breasts.
• They can have a significant impact on a person’s self-confidence, meaning that they are unable to wear certain clothing, as well as having an effect on personal relationships.
• Stretch marks have a texture that is different from that of the surrounding skin. Microdermabrasion can provide great improvement to this surface texture.

Microdermabrasion and laser treatment is a non-invasive treatment that provides improvement and relief from unsightly stretch marks.

While some invest heavily in creams, lotions and potions, others go for laser treatment or airbrushing, while some are just lucky!

It can be difficult to prevent stretch marks from appearing, although you can help skin to cope better with the stretching by making sure that it is kept well-hydrated and supple.

Once they have appeared, they can be difficult to get rid of, and can affect how confidently you feel about your body.

Microdermabrasion and laser treatment can provide really effective stretch mark removal. The safe removal of damaged layers of skin reveals smother and healthier new skin underneath. The laser also stimulates the production of new skin cells and collagen, which is essential if your skin is to recover its elasticity and plumpness.

Look after your skin by using gentle and appropriate products, but if the stretch marks appear, do not put up with them – get them removed!