They are something that a growing number of women, and men, have on their bodies but it is something we really don’t talk about. The dreaded stretch mark has become one of the most common, and most despised, skin abnormalities in the world, but how did we get them and how can we treat them? Here are a few helpful tips on treating your skin right and how you can avoid stretch marks.

For years, the idea of stretch marks were completely in the domain of women. It wasn’t that people thought that men couldn’t get them, its just that they were so commonly associated with pregnancy that most folks never realized that men are just as susceptible to these scar-like lesions as women.

But any rapid gaining of weight or loss of weight can lead to stretch marks on the shoulders, legs, and abdomen of men or women. Women also tend to get them on and around their breasts if their breast are significantly large and they begin to sag. And it isn’t a condition that is strictly the domain of the old and infirmed. Even teenagers and 20-somethings can suffer from stretch marks.

Stretch marks first appear on the body as the body is undergoing a serious change. If you hit a growth spurt as a teenager and your body can barely keep up, you may end up with stretch marks. Many pregnant women get stretch marks because of the rapid weight gain associated with pregnancy and most stretch marks are yours for life.

The mark usually starts out a deep purple color, almost resembling a deep bruise. The longer you have the mark, the more it fades over time, to the point where you may not even notice them. But for millions of men and women, stretch marks are unsightly blemishes that need to be taken care of.

So, how does one treat a stretch mark? The most common treatment is to simply cover them up. Luckily, stretch marks are almost unheard of in places like the lower legs, arms, hands and face, so, in most cases, simply wearing regular clothes cover up these marks. But if you’re looking to undress for summer, you might want to try one of the following treatments.

There are a slew of over the counter creams and gels that are made to eliminate stretch marks over time. However, you would be wise to do your research before you fork over your hard earned money. In general, creams for stretch mark treatments tend to be hit and miss, with each person reacting differently.

Even for the people who experience the best results, a complete disappearance of a stretch mark is rare. Most topical treatments succeed in simply fading out the mark and making it somewhat less visible. Make sure you use a product containing retinol or tretinoin for best results.

For those folks who have an extreme case of stretch marks, laser treatment is the best option. But even with expensive laser treatments, a complete removal of any sign of a stretch mark is expecting too much. The much more likely result will be a significant lessening of the scar-like mark. Since curing stretch marks is seemingly impossible and treating them is almost as difficult, how can one help to prevent stretch marks in the future?

The first step in preventing stretch marks is to watch your weight. If you feel like you are gaining a few pounds, try a lighter diet to keep major changes of weight in check. You can also help to prevent the appearance of stretch marks by taking care of your skin on a daily basis.

Well hydrated and flexible skin is less likely to develop any kind of lesion than skin that isn’t cared for properly. Daily moisturizing and proper overall skin care can go a long way in keeping your body stretch mark free.