Perhaps before we begin to consider the question of how to get rid of stretch marks we should gain some understanding of just what stretch marks are and what causes them to appear. Then we can consider appropriate treatments.

Today, something like 90% of women are prone to stretch mark problems arising during the course of their pregnancy.

Pregnancy is not the only cause of stretch marks on your skin. Stretch marks can also be due to puberty or obesity, however this article will focus primarily on pregnancy stretch marks arising when your abdomen gets stretched suddenly and loses its elasticity. This gives rise to fine lines appearing on your skin. They can appear anywhere – on your stomach, thighs, breasts, or on your buttocks. The distension of your breasts causing stretch marks usually appears during pregnancy because during this period the breasts become enlarged and heavier.

In the early stages these stretch marks appear as red or purple in color but with time these lines fade and turn whitish, irrespective of whether they are treated or not. Stretch marks have their origins in the middle layer of our skin from which our skin receives nourishment.

There are many treatments available for removing stretch marks like laser treatment, lotions and dermabrasion or chemical peel. But do realize that pregnancy stretch marks are not at all harmful and fortunately they can be treated easily with some very safe home-made formulations. These also include some very effective herbal recipes.

First and foremost though, you should attend to the basics. Start by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day so as to hydrate the skin. Also avoid caffeinated drinks such as coffee and cola as much as possible, as these can result in an undue amount of fluid being flushed from the body.

Ensure you get plenty of fresh air and exercise and eat fiber rich meals such as fish and nuts which include zinc; and foods rich in Vitamins A, C and D such as carrots and milk. Your meals should also include liberal portions of green leafy vegetables and fruits.

A good friend of mine had no idea where to start when it came to getting rid of her stretch marks.

But she soon had the problem solved after acquiring a quite remarkable publication she'd found on the net. This showed her how to solve her problem using nothing more than common everyday household ingredients - which if not found in the kitchen cupboard can be easily obtained from your local supermarket or health food store.

She'd heard about many of the common herbal treatments which included daily massage with the likes of cocoa butter, olive oil, wheat germ oil and so on. But this took things to another level altogether. As she explained to me .. "This was just something else".

Besides these herbal stretch mark treatments, there are many lotions for pregnancy stretch mark removal. These creams contain vitamin C and vitamin E, which moisturizes your skin. Again - while not completely eliminating stretch marks these can also be used effectively to fade the appearance of lines.

Laser surgery is of course an option, if you are seeking how to get rid of stretch marks completely. Today, technology relating to laser surgery has advanced and has resulted in dermabrasion, an effective way of getting rid of unwanted ugly stretch marks. But it should be noted that such treatment does not come cheap. In the first instance you might like to take a look at the other alternatives.