Stretch Marks on buttocks can be embarrassing for men and women alike. How to get rid of stretch marks on buttocks can only be answered after a looks has been taken at what causes the marks to begin with.

Causes

The skin has 3 main layers:

• Epidermis
• Dermis
• Hypodermis

The epidermis consists of dead skin cells forming a protection over new skin. This protective barrier keeps particles from penetrating to the lower skin levels.

The dermis is the thick layer of skin which provides support and structure to the top layer. It is quite a tough layer of skin and can be pulled and prodded, bouncing back into shape. This is because skin has a fair amount of elasticity contained in it thanks to the proteins Collagen and Elastin.

Stretch marks appear when the production of these proteins is slowed in some way and the skin stretches an extensive expanse in a short amount of time through rapid weight gain, pregnancy, growth spurts or muscle building. Without the normal elasticity to cope with such stretching, the fibers of the dermis which keep it strong tear. These tears present themselves as stretch marks.

Prevention

As there are so many different causes for stretch marks in buttocks, not forgetting the fact that people may be pre-disposed to having stretch marks through their genes, prevention is not guaranteed by any means.

A good diet rich in minerals and vitamins is key for healthy skin, hair and nails. This will supply the body with important ingredients that stimulate healthy tissue growth and encourage the production of collagen and elastin. A healthy diet will also control weight and protect against big fluctuations in body mass.

With growth spurts and pregnancy where it is absolutely unavoidable for the skin to be stretched suddenly, application of creams all over the body, moisturizing the skin to try to keep it supple may work. However there is no proof to suggest this.

Treatment

For those who have found stretch marks on their buttocks and want to treat the problem there are a number of options available.

Natural ingredients such as fruits and plant extracts are well documented to promote the growth of healthy skin tissue. Aloe Vera, Lavender Oil, Avocado and many more have such qualities. Below are some home remedies using natural ingredients:

• Mix ½ cup of olive oil, ¼ cup Aloe Vera Gel, liquid from 6 capsules of Vitamin E and 4 capsules of vitamin A. Apply the mixture to areas with stretch marks and massage into skin. Refrigerate mixture between uses.
• Mix coffee, sugar, bi-carb and aloe vera with some water to make a paste. Use on affected areas, leave for 10-15 mins then rinse off with warm water. Follow up with a home-made moisturizer made from Vitamin E oil, Cocoa butter and Vitamin C powder.
• Apply lemon juice to affected areas and leave to dry. Cover area with aloe vera and leave overnight. Rinse off in the morning and repeat nightly.

These methods may work on some people and not on others, it really comes down to the type of skin each person has and the severity of their stretch marks. There is no fast fix for stretch marks so if a treatment is to be used, the user must be prepared to persevere.

Over the counter products for stretch marks use a combination of natural and chemical ingredients. Many women and men swear by the effects of using such creams though there is no proof that they will work at all. Creams vary in expense and it is not hard to find creams with similar active ingredients differing wildly in price. Again, with creams, it is often said that results happen slowly over time so users should exercise their patience.

Surgery is by far the most expensive and risky treatment for stretch marks. Laser surgery are definitely more effective ways to abolish or reduce stretch marks (although even with laser surgery there is no guarantee and a number of sittings must be had) but carry more risk.

Microdermabrasion is a good middle ground, being a non-invasive procedure that removes the top layer of skin (epidermis), evening out skin tone and texture thus reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Laser, tummy tuck and microdermabrasion are all extremely expensive. As stretch marks can occur at almost any point in life, many question the validity of spending such a large amount of money to have more stretch marks appear later on in life.