How Retin-A works
Retin-A is a prescription medication that is generally used to treat acne and wrinkles. However, many women use Retin-A cream for stretch marks. The cream is a form of vitamin A and is sometimes referred to as tretinoin.
Stretch marks are caused by rapid weight gain, pregnancy, muscle growth from weightlifting and certain medical conditions. They start out as red or pink marks and change to white or silver lines.
The marks form when collagen is damaged by stretching skin. Tretinoin helps increase the amount of collagen in the areas where stretch marks occur, which is why the product is helpful for treatment.
Retin-A cream has to be used while the marks are still pink or red in order to be effective. This means the cream should be applied to the skin in the first six to twelve weeks after the stretch marks appear.
Those who use Retin-A cream for stretch marks may notice results as early as two to three weeks. It takes about six weeks of use to get the best reduction in stretch marks. Tretinoin should only be used as recommended. Using the cream more often than prescribed does not lead to better results.
Warnings regarding the use of Retin-A
While pregnant women are likely to benefit from Retin-A, they should not use it until after they give birth. The cream may be absorbed through the skin, and it is unknown if it will harm an unborn child.
There is a possibility that Retin-A can be secreted in breast milk, so women who are nursing should not use it. Because Retin-A is only effective on new stretch marks, women should use the product soon after they give birth if they will not be breastfeeding. Women who breastfeed should use tretinoin shortly after they stop nursing if the doctor indicates it is safe to do so.
It may take some time to adjust to using Retin-A. The cream causes peeling, redness and other skin irritations. These reactions may be worse for people who use sun lamps or tanning beds.
Extreme conditions such as very hot temperatures or really cold weather could also lead to greater skin irritation from Retin-A use. Electrolysis and hair removal creams may increase skin irritation that occurs from the use of tretinoin.
Other treatment options
There are many products that claim to make stretch marks disappear. Some of these items are expensive and offer a money back guarantee if customers are not satisfied. In reality, it is nearly impossible to completely get rid of stretch marks.
Vitamin E oils and cocoa butter creams are used to treat the marks. These products soften the skin, which may decrease the appearance of stretch marks for some people. However, there is no evidence that they make the marks go away.
Dermatologists treat stretch marks using lasers and microdermabrasion. These procedures visibly reduce stretch marks, but they are expensive and are not covered by insurance.
Retin-A cream for stretch marks appears to be a good alternative to the options noted above. It has been shown to be effective in reducing stretch marks. The cream is very affordable in comparison to treatments from dermatologists.
Statistics vary regarding the results of using tretinoin. In general, women who use Retin-A could see a fourteen to twenty percent reduction in their stretch marks.
