Revitol Stretchmark Cream

Although commonly known as a cosmetic concern, stretch marks are harmless and even fade over time usually; they do not require medical treatment unless desired as well. If you do seek preventative measures for stretch marks, know that they are only partially effective and might not remove the stretch marks completely.

The following creams and laser treatments are available to help prevent the appearance of stretch marks:

•    Tretinoin cream – tretinoin cream (Retin-A, Renova) is to prevent the appearance of recent stretch marks – those less than six weeks old and still pink or red in color. Tretinoin should NOT be used during pregnancy. Tretinoin, when it works, helps to rebuild collagen, making the stretch mark more similar in appearance to your normal skin. This treatment isn’t effective on older stretch marks unfortunately.

•    Pulsed dye laser therapy – Used at wavelengths of light that are non-wounding, this type of laser therapy remodels underlying skin (dermis) by stimulating the growth of collagen and elastins (which keeps the skin supple and firm). Pulsed dye laser therapy is most effective when stretch marks are new but can still be effective on older stretch marks as well.

•    Fractional photothermolysis – Like pulsed dye laser therapy, this laser treatment uses wavelengths of light to stimulate new growth of collagen and elastins. The difference is that it causes partial damage to small areas within a specific targeted zone. Because most of the treated area is then undamaged, the skin heals quickly, as if the entire area were treated.

•    Microdermabrasion – This type of treatment involves a hand-held device that blows crystals onto skin. These crystals gently scrub or “polish” the skin’s surface. A vacuum tube then removes the crystals and skin cells. This gently removes the skin’s top layer, which may result in new skin growth that is more elastic and firm. This therapy is an option for older stretch marks, and one of the most effective and successful.

•    Excimer laser – The excimer laser does nothing for collagen or elastins growth. Instead, its aim is to stimulate melanin production. If it works, the old and lighter streaks become similar in color to the rest of the skin, and therefore less visible. This is used for older stretch marks (usually).
If one wants to go the natural route:    

It has also been proven that stretch marks can be prevented by the simplest task of ensuring that we are properly hydrated and drinking enough water! In order to remain properly hydrated, you must be certain to consume copious amounts of water on a daily basis. Not necessarily the traditional 8 at one time to get it out the way (though that can work) but instead making it a daily and enjoyable ritual to upload throughout life. Our world is surrounded by it. It’s a part of our daily lives, so why not drink up? While many medical professionals state that we should consume the “8 glasses a day”, many other professionals are now starting to say that it is important to consume at least 10 to 12 glasses a day. I think it’s best to set a goal in between those numbers, and see what’s best for you.

Aloe Vera speeds up the healing process of burns and skin wounds, stimulates the growth of new healthy skin cells, and limits the body’s production of scar tissue.The species Aloe Barbadensis is recommended extensively by naturopaths, Doctors & Specialists throughout the world. Aloe Vera is able to hydrate, heal and encourage skin renewal.

Aloe Vera’s natural soothing components ease your skin, whilst it begins work on the damaged areas. Aloe Vera is a mild anaesthetic, antibacterial & antifungal and contains anti-inflammatory acids. Aloe Vera soothes inflammed, burned skin and irritated skin and reduces the chance of skin infections. Aloe Vera will relieve itching, swelling, redness and pain.

Modern research on Aloe Vera began in 1935 when CE Collins M.D began treating burns, caused by unsophisticated X-ray techniques, with Aloe Vera. They discovered that burn wounds healed more quickly and left less scar tissue when fresh aloe Vera gel was applied than when other skin burn treatment was used. Other medical researchers found that aloe Vera also worked to reduce pain, itching, scars and to fight infection.

Applied to skin burns and wounds, Aloe Vera is a mild anaesthetic, relieving itching, swelling, and pain: it is antibacterial and antifungal, increases blood flow to wounded areas, and stimulates fibroblasts, the skin cells responsible for wound healing.

Aloe Vera is recognised for its ability to soothe burns. In a study in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, 27 patients with moderate burn wounds were treated with a gauze coated in either aloe vera gel or Vaseline™ (petroleum jelly). The burns healed more quickly in the group using Aloe Vera for burns, with an average healing time of 12 days compared to 18 days for the group using Vaseline.

According to Elizabeth Burdick, MS., a microbiologist and skin therapist who treats burn patients in California, scar tissue is thick like cactus and is produced by basal cells that are found in the last layer of the derma.“When the skin is burned or traumatised, Within 24hours the basal cells travel up to the epidermal layer and produce a scab. Underneath the scab, keratinised tissue forms, which is thick scar tissue created to protect the body from trauma.”According to Burdick, aloe vera interferes with the process of scar formation. “We don’t know exactly what the mechanism is, but somehow the aloe vera causes skin cells to regenerate so rapidly. The new epidermal skin cells begin closing off the injured area. While the body will still produce a scab-like covering, it doesn’t have a thick, rough texture to it. Underneath the scab is healthy skin tissue, not Keratinised tissue or scar tissue.

Aloe Vera was used to treat patients who suffered radiation burns from the Hiroshima & Nagasaki bombings. American medical teams who examined these patients noted accelerated tissue regeneration and healing and the reduction of pain and scarring.

Aloe Vera penetrates rapidly and deeply, infusing the damaged, irritated skin with desperately needed essential moisture. It is able to reduce redness and pain as well as hydrate, heal and protect extremely dry skin and sensitive skin. It is cooling, soothing and moisturising, and it stimulates the growth of new cells and skin tissue with natural steroids, enzymes and amino acids. Aloe Vera also contains a potent blocker which provides the skin  the components to rejuvenate itself at the cell level.

History has shown the benefits of Aloe Vera Dermatologist James Fulton, M.D., of Newport Beach, California uses topical aloe vera in his practice to speed wound healing. “Any wound we treat, whether it’s a cut or removing a skin cancer, heals better with aloe Vera on it,” he states.

Aloe Vera is a natural moisturiser, fragrance and oil free. Amino acids in this healing plant help the growth of new skin cells. Aloe Vera penetrates rapidly and deeply, it is able hydrate, heal and encourage skin renewal.

Fiona McColl founded Natural Skin and Beauty to introduce Natural Skin Care and Hair Care Products with Organic Aloe Vera and Mineral Makeup to clients worldwide and to raise awareness of the chemical content in commercial skin care products.

Our psyche, what we eat, what we do and our skin are inter-related.

Love the skin you’re in!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/aloe-vera-aids-burn-treatment-wound-healing-and-scars-1720914.html