Stretch marks are a form of scarring that can occur when a person’s skin is overstretched. Stretch marks have the initial appearance of purple or red looking lines. Over time, they will fade until they are pale in color.

The two main causes of stretch marks are pregnancy and obesity. Stretch marks are a very common condition. A large percentage of the population has been overweight or pregnant at some time in their lives! It’s not just women who get stretch marks, either. Few people realize that they are a common complaint of male body builders as well.

The good news is that there are several treatments for stretch marks that have been shown to be highly effective. Here’s a look at three of the most common ways to deal with this condition.

1. Dermabrasion. General anesthesia is required when you undergo this kind of stretch mark surgery. The aim of dermabrasion is to remove or lessen the appearance of scars, damage from the sun or dark spots. In this procedure, the surface of your skin is sanded off using special equipment.

This procedure is most effective is the scar is raised above the skin’s surface. It’s generally much less effective when used to treat sunken scars. The procedure is very painful and the healing process can take several months. But the final result can be very impressive.

2. Microdermabrasion. Often referred to as microderm, this is a far less invasive procedure. It’s a popular, easily accessible treatment that doesn’t require an anesthetic. It involves removing the surface layer of the skin by using a special wand with a roughened surface to lightly sand the skin. People like microdermabrasion because it has a reputation for being a safe, painless procedure.

3. Skin treatment creams. There are hundreds of products marketed these days that claim to prevent or eliminate stretch marks. Creams and lotions containing Vitamin A, cocoa butter or an assortment of other ingredients are highly popular.

Some of these products have a lot of research behind them and can be quite effective at reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Some of the more effective treatments for stretch marks are Trilastin, Revitol and NuVectin. You should be aware that most of these products are best for preventing rather than eliminating stretch marks.

However, many products tend to overstate their ability to get rid of stretch marks. It’s important that you read some independent customer reviews on any stretch mark product before you buy it. Do a web search for the product you’re considering, and examine sites that aren’t associated with the manufacturer. Also, check out the company’s website and try to follow through on any of their claims.

transgender surgery

Gender dysphoria is a feeling of extreme discomfort or unhappiness with one’s physical sex. It is considered a symptom of a gender identity disorder. It manifests, often in early childhood, as a wish to be, or a feeling that one is of the opposite sex. A boy may engage in typically feminine behavior, such as playing with dolls or dressing in feminine clothing. A girl may wish to have her hair cut short, engage in rough-and-tumble play and generally displays tomboyish behavior. If the feeling of having the wrong physical sex persists, a transgender teen may feel disgust with his or her body as they begin to develop sexually.

Many in the transgender community dispute the notion that non-conformity with traditionally accepted gender roles is a sign of a mental disorder. Many children grow out of gender dysphoria, and come to feel comfortable with their gender, but are identified as homosexuals. Some teens try desperately to fit in with their socially defined gender roles. This may cause them great emotional distress. Those who object to the idea of a gender identity disorder point out, particularly in the case of a transgender teen who may be exploring his or her sexual identity, the idea that they may have a mental illness and this reinforces the notion that “different is bad.”

In some cases, gender dysphoria persists into adulthood. The person feels that they are trapped in the body of the opposite sex of what they actually are. This feeling often begins in childhood, and a transgender teen may wish to live as the opposite of his or her physical sex. Such persons, as they reach adulthood, may seek transgender therapy. This therapy consists of psychological counseling, hormonal treatment, and for some, sexual reassignment surgery. Generally, the person is required to live as a member of their desired sex for at least a year, often up to two years, before the transgender surgery is done.

A person who feels that his or her physical sex differs from their gender identity can suffer a great deal of emotional pain. Pressure from family members and peers to conform their gender roles to their physical sex can compound the problems of gender dysphoria, especially for transgender teens. Many who feel trapped in the body of the opposite sex seek transgender therapy. Those who go on to have transgender surgery often feel great relief as their bodies finally reflect their true gender identities.