How can I treat stretch marks myself?

Stretch marks can be treated by topical products such as a retinoid or alpha hydroxy acids.  However, the best results from treating stretch marks are from laser.  Consultation from a qualified plastic surgeon or dermatologist should be obtained. 

First, the bad news: there is no such thing as erasing stretch marks completely. All you can do is improve the appearance and make them less visible. Once these scars emerge, products such as stretch mark oils and "restructuring" creams and gels can't do much. (Although some pregnancy stretch marks go away on their own over time, this is not the case for many women.) Retinoids may help, mainly because they exfoliate the epidermis. I've prescribed them for my patients, but any change is slow to occur; it could take years to see a difference. That's because stretch marks aren't necessarily a problem of the cell renewal process and that's where retinoids work best. And since these scars are on the body, not the face, absorption of retinoids to the dermis, where collagen and elastin are located, might be harder to achieve.

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