If you thought stretchmarks only formed when you get pregnant or become overweight, rethink this. That's not always the case. A lot of times both children and teenagers get stretchmarks because of growth spurts, and this can happen with male and female bodybuilders too. As a result, people often wonder whether it's possible to eliminate stretchmarks.

Usually, skin has the elasticity of a rubber band. Like a rubber band, though, it breaks when the stretch is too much. The skin actually tears with intense stretching. The skin tears, and then heals, creating a scar, so products don't usually eliminate stretch marks completely. They do, however, help the scars to fade and be much less visible, or almost completely invisible.

One way to do this is by applying creams, lotions, or essential oils to the skin on a regular basis. Many creams have exfoliating agents in them which helps them remove the top layer of dead skin and reduce the intensity of the marks.

Sometimes, manufacturers market special oils or creams that advertise that they completely heal scars and eliminate stretch marks. In reality, though, this isn't completely true. While you can make the stretchmark less visible with fading elements, you'll also need something that helps tighten the skin in order for the cream to be effective.

Medical treatments are also sometimes promoted to help eliminate stretchmarks. The most dangerous way to try this is abdominoplasty. This procedure involves the removal of a tiny amount of fat along with stretched skin on the stomach area. This usually helps only with persons who have just a little extra body fat and are only slightly overweight.

In comparison, dermabrasion is a medical procedure that does not require surgery, in which doctors exfoliate, or remove, the top layer of dead skin cells. This top layer of skin is peeled or abraded off, which causes the scarring to be less obvious, but dermabrasion does not completely eliminate stretchmarks either.

The reviews on laser treatments are mixed. Some people say that laser treatments can decrease the intensity of stretch marks by as much as 50 percent, while others say that they are much less effective than this. Most laser surgeons and other doctors, though, agree that current laser treatment procedures won't entirely eliminate stretchmarks either.

The best way to deal with stretch marks is to keep from getting them in the first place by staying at a healthy body weight and by keeping your skin healthy. However, if you're already beyond this, consider different ways to EliminateStretchmarks. Stay hydrated and keep skin healthy by drinking large quantities of water. Invest in quality creams and lotions for moisturizing the skin, and remember to use a firming element as well, to maintain maximum skin elasticity and avoid the development of stretchmarks.