Scars and stretch marks are signs of our body's adaptation to external and internal factors. Even though they are a natural part of the healing process, most of us want to get rid of them as soon as possible. Luckily enough, there is a wide range of treatment options that can help eliminate these skin blemishes.

Surgery, laser therapy and other resurfacing techniques can do the trick. However, most of them are costly and some of them can irritate your skin and lead to other problems such as hyperpigmentation. On the other hand, the use of scar creams is effective and gentle on your skin.

Scar Cream Alternatives

When using scar creams there are basically two types of scar creams you can try: simple scar creams and microdermabrasion creams. The first one uses chemical processes to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. The second alternative uses abrading micro crystals to slowly "sand off" scar tissue.

Facial scars are best treated with a simple scar cream. Body scars, on the other hand, can resist more abuse and can be treated using microdermabrasion creams. Follow these simple suggestions to find the most effective treatment for scars that won't produce further damage.

Ingredients You Should Look For

Just like skin care creams, scar and stretch marks creams are only as effective as the ingredients they contain. If you don't know what ingredients to look for, here are a couple of the most effective ones used in scar removal:

Rose Hip Seed Oil

This product has long been used for stretch marks treatment although it is also very effective on all types of scar tissue. It is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and essential fatty acids making it an ideal ingredient for reducing the appearance of abnormal tissue. These components are helpful in promoting the elimination of damaged skin and boosting the growth of new skin cells.

This product can be used in its pure, oil form or as part of a variety of different skin care products, especially those that help treat dry skin. Rose hip oil can also help treat other skin problems such as dermatitis and eczema.

Snail Serum

Snail serum is also an excellent product when it comes to scar removal. It contains copper peptides which can help increase the rate of skin renewal. Copper peptides also increase the formation of new capillaries, collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans.

Snail serum is derived from the common brown snail. Its use in skin care products was reinitiated thanks to heliciculture workers in Chile that noticed that their skin was smoother and that their scars would disappear quicker when they came in contact with the snails.