Stretch mark is a scar caused primarily by stretching of the skin. The stretch mark and its ungainly appearance are the bane of countless women, and men too. Thus, there is no dearth of people flocking to get a stretch mark treatment. Stretch mark treatment encompasses the entire gamut from the cream to the surgeon's knife.

The stretch mark is a common occurrence along with a glow on the face during pregnancy or when becoming plump. It can be caused by nutritional deficit and taking certain hormones and steroids. According to your complexion, the mark appears as pink, reddish brown or brown and gradually lightens. Stretch mark treatment aims to prevent or hastily remove the mark.

Diet and exercise are integral to stretch mark treatment geared to prevent the appearance of the mark. Stretch mark occurs when the skin loses its elasticity and suppleness. Thus you should have protein-intensive foods like diary products and eggs, Vitamins A, C and D-enriched foods like carrots, oranges and lemon and zinc-containing fish and nuts to maintain a healthy skin.

Drink plenty of water and steer clear off aerated and caffeinated drinks. After all what you eat shows on you!

Also, have your daily quota of exercise in some form or the other. Regular exercise has its proven benefits: a sculpted body, improved blood circulation and healthy, firm skin.

If that obstinate stretch mark simply refuses to budge, you can opt for surgical modes of treatment. There are treatment methods like chemical peels that scrape away at the skin surface, thereby effectively getting rid of the stretch mark.

To remove a stretch mark, the TCA peel is the safest bet. Proven effective against a plethora of skin ailments like acne, pimple and pigmentation, TCA peel is widely used in spas, salons and is the treatment of choice of many dermatologists.

The prime reason for the widespread fame of the TCA peel is that it guarantees immediate results and is completely devoid of side effects, making it safe even during pregnancy and after the birth of the baby.

After a session with the trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel, expect a sun burnt skin on the first day. On the second day, the pigmentation will reduce significantly to resemble a healthy just-back-from-the-beach tan and your skin will feel taut.

In the subsequent days, the skin will peel to a more younger, healthier, porcelain smooth look. And lo and behold, not a hint of a stretch mark either.

Laser therapy is drastic method used to remove the stretch mark. In this treatment, your skin will be subject to laser beams. Thus, either your mark lightens or there is additional pigmentation, so that after the treatment, the stretch mark matches your skin tone.

In an advanced form of stretch mark treatment, laser beams are used to stimulate collagen production, so that you get rid of the stretch mark.

Consult your physician before embarking on any stretch mark treatment. After all, your skin is obliged to a tender care.