For people with stretch marks, they have two general paths to consider when looking at removing them - traditional or modern techniques.
Whilst traditional methods can be relied upon by many, modern methods are often praised as being the most effective and with several different techniques available, there is a modern removal method to suit everyone.
Surgery - seen as the most expensive technique available, the surgery procedure is carried out by either removing the affected skin completely or grafting skin from another area of the body onto the stretch marked skin.
The first is generally carried out as part of a larger operation, such as a 'tummy tuck', in which the person's stomach is reduced in size.
The latter, a procedure often used for people with skin abnormalities, is one of the most widely carried out surgical procedures and has evolved a long way since its introduction.
With many positive points, the only major negative aspect is that as it's an invasive procedure, recovery times can be much longer than other removal methods.
Laser surgery - as the most recent form of stretch mark removal, laser surgery works best on newly developed marks.
The process happens by directing a laser onto the affected area of the skin and removing the top layer.
With this top layer of skin, the marks are removed.
Furthermore, the lasers are said to induce and promote the growth of collagen in the affected area of the skin, helping to tighten the skin and reduce the risk of any further stretching in the future.
Lotions - Although many traditional methods revolve around a cream or lotion of some form, many of the modern lotions have been medically tried and tested and are now clinically proven to reduce the appearance of them in the first place.
StriVectin-SD, for example, has shown positive removal results in 93% of people that it has been tested on.
A formula that includes a mixture of skin hydrating ingredients and firming agents, applying StriVectin-SD three times a day for two months has many different benefits, from shortening marks to promoting natural collagen, all of which help with removal.
Vitamin supplements - in many people's current diet, they do not receive the correct amount of vitamins, especially those that aid with healthy skin.
Taking supplements for vitamin A, C and D, as well as a zinc capsule on a daily basis, should help to maintain healthy skin, which in turn reduces the prominence of stretch marks or the likelihood that they will occur.