More and more people looking for solutions to removing or reducing stretch marks are going down the prescription medicines route. Prescription topical treatments are usually more powerful or concentrated versions of treatments available over the counter, and carry with them an increased risk of side effects and additional cost. However, people with more severe scarring or those who have had little luck with a range of other treatments are often prepared to pay the extra and take the risks associated with these treatments.
Retin-A for stretch marks is one treatment that is getting particular attention at the moment. Retin-A (known more widely as its generic name Tretinoin) is a derivative of vitamin A, widely prescribed as a solution to cystic acne and other troublesome skin disorders. Recently this topical treatment has gained some fame as a wonder treatment for stretch marks, otherwise known as striae scarring.
Tretinoin works by increasing skin cell turnover, which in turn increases the amount of collagen in the skin. As striae scarring is due to a depletion of collagen, it is this process that is believed to improve the appearance of these scars.
If you have decided to try Retin-A for stretch marks, you should be aware of some of the associated side effects. As all skin is different, you may experience these side effects at different levels of severity.
The main side effects experienced by users of Retin-A for stretch marks is skin flaking and irritation. The skin flaking is merely cosmetic as the skin is shedding old layers in favor of the newly generated skin. The irritation however can range from mildly annoying to incredibly itchy and painful. For this reason it is recommended to apply Tretinoin sparingly every other day for the first week of treatment, to acclimatize the skin to the treatment and hopefully reduce the amount of irritation. You can also reduce irritation by applying a moisturizer to the skin the morning after your most recent application.
Tretinoin also causes an increase sensitivity to sunlight which will last throughout treatment and may last for many months after treatment has finished. Avoid direct sunlight as much as possible and when you have to be in the sun, use a strong SPF sunscreen to minimize the effect on the skin.
Retin-A for stretch marks should not be used by pregnant women or anyone aiming to become pregnant in the next 12 months, as it could possibly be harmful to your baby.
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