anyone had any success with removing stretch marks using copper peptides and GA?

Okay, well it doesn't look like anyone was going to respond, so I will just respond to this post myself and let everyone know what I'm doing.
For two months now I have been using GA and manual exfoliation in conjunction with Trireduction at night. I don't know if I'm seeing any improvement. If I am, it is in the depth of the marks and not necessarily the outward appearance. I think it's going to take longer for me to decide whether or not I am imagining these improvements.
Is there anyone else out there who is on this routine, or path?
If so, have you had any success? improvements? speed bumps?
any advice offered would be greatly appreciated.

I have used a variety of copper peptide/acids combinations in the last 16 months. I have had noticeable improvement as well, mostly with depth. One significant improvement I also saw was that the stretch marks started to tan better, so they blended in better with the rest of my skin. I don't know how you feel about tanning, so this may or may not be a plus for you. I've noticed that the more aggressive I was with the acids, the better my results. However, I had to take a break from strong acids over the summer so I could tan, so I could camouflage the stretch marks. Once the stretch marks are gone, I think I won't feel the need to tan!

I plan to resume the acids again with fall and winter coming. I have tried 15% salicyclic acid, 40% lactic acid, and 65% glycolic acid from either Make Up Artists Choice or Diana Yvonne. I can't say any one works better than another, but the glycolic definitely has the most sting. I have also tried the dermaroller. When I was using it regularly, I applied SuperCop2x, rolled, and then applied SuperCop2x again, followed by a layer of emu oil. I think when I start rolling again soon, I will instead apply LacSal serum, roll, and then apply more LacSal serum. I am wondering if I will get better results this way because the acids will get down deeper to break up more stretch mark scar tissue.

My best results came the firt month I started using Skin Biology. I was using LacSal cream in the morning, and then SuperCop cream at night followed by a layer of emu oil. Most recently I've been using TriReduction either in morning or evening, followed by a layer of emu oil. I've noticed that using emu oil works better than NOT using emu oil. I think maybe because I haven't been using much of the acids recently, my skin needs the emu oil to help push in the copper peptides better? Overall, the sense I am getting from my experience is that I need to increase methods of breaking down the stretch mark tissue or it won't matter how consistently or at what strength I use the copper peptides.

My stretch marks are old and tough and numerous! Anyway, my advice would be that if you're not getting satisfying results, trying increasing your scar breakdown strategy, whether it is chemical or manual. Pay attention to the pH of the acid you're using as well. I've read on this board before where Dr Pickart says you want the skin to alway be on the verge of irritation. Good luck!

Wow, thank you for reply!
how old are the stretch marks you were treating, and if you don't mind me asking, where on the body were they?
Also, you said you were using acids... how frequently were you applying the acids, and how long were you leaving them on the skin for?
Do you think that jojoba oil is comparable to emu oil. Emu oil is just a little expensive, and I already have some jojoba oil from trader joe's so I've been using that instead because I have heard that the oils are pretty similar.
If you had to put a percentage amount on the improvement you've gotten, what do you think it would be?
Sorry for all the questions! I hope to hear back though..

I think it would take less time to list where on my body I DON'T have stretch marks !! Seriously though - my stomach, top corners of my breasts near my armpits, upper arms, thighs, bottom, and lower back. They vary in age from 25 years old to about 15 years old. Most of them are only noticeable when you pull the skin taut, except for my lower back, upper thighs near my hips, and stomach. I've never even had a baby, I just get stretch marks very easily.
I would estimate that I have had 30% improvement, and probably would have had more by now if I had been more religious with working on them. When I was applying the acids, I would put on either the 40% lactic for 10 minutes, or the 65% glycolic for about 5 minutes, then shower. If I was using the 15% salicyclic, I would just put it on and leave it, like I do with LacSal. I tried to use one or another acid every other day, or at least twice per week. For a while I was also using Retin A on them, but they are so numerous I was going through Retin A tubes very quickly and it became too expensive. Retin A actually caused more peeling than any of the acids did. I'm not very familiar with jojoba oil. You might want to post that question on its own to see if Skin Biology staff or Dr Pickart have a good answer. I know I asked before about using squalane or Calypso's oil from Skin Biology, and was told they would have the same effect as the emu oil to push the copper peptides down deeper. I hope this helps!

Dear menarenotalone:

Clients have used jojoba oil as a moisturizer, and it works well. Dr. Pickart has commented on its use in various places on this message board. It is fine to use.

See: http://healthyskin.infopop.cc/...530071425#7530071425

For more information on moisturizers, you may want to review our page on:
Taking a Closer Look at Skin Moisturizers, What They Do for Us

Best Wishes,
-Skin Biology

do you think it is necessary that I apply the jojoba oil every night? Sometimes my skin feel so moisturized and supple from the tri-reduction that it doesn't feel like it would even be able to absorb the oil. would it be best to just put it on anyways to cover all my bases?
Also, if anyone else has any experience with treating their stretch marks it would be great if they'd contribute. I'd really like to have some sort of open forum about this, but I realize that not everyone is using skin biology products for the same reason that I am.

I had good results a few years back using cp's and strong peels, I'm targeting the area again with skin needling as I want to see how far I can go. The amazing thing is when my skin remodelled, my navel which had gone out of shape and stretched, went back to normal size. The stretch marks are old ones from pregnancies in 90 and 92

Dear menarenotalone:

TriReduction Cream is chock full of moisturizing ingredients and anti-oxidants. Many use it as a copper-peptide/moisturizer-in-one...

You could apply a very light amount of TriReduction, wait a bit and then apply your jojoba oil lightly on top. If it seems to be too much to use the two together try using your jojoba oil at the opposite end of the day than your TriRed Cream.

On this forum you can find a number of clients who have used (or are using) the products for stretchmarks.
The key seems to be:
1. Consistency
2. Strong Copper-Peptides
3. Effective Exfolatior (either manual or chemical or combination of both)

Best Wishes,
-Skin Biology

I have been using a glycolic acid %50 that I leave on all night, but lately it doesn't seem to itch as much as it used to.. do you think that this means my skin isn't being exfoliated by it, or has my skin just adjusted to that level of irritation?

The glycolic acid must be at a relatively high pH or your skin would be gone by now.

I'm not sure of the Ph, but do you think I should cut back on the usage? My skin is definitely not gone, and my marks are all still there, maybe a little shallower but I can't really tell.

The pH is probably very high. Ask the seller of the glycolic about the pH.

At a low pH, the 50% glycolic acid should have left a hole in your skin.

Thank you Dr. Pickart, I really appreciate the reply. Also, off the top of your head, how many success stories have people reported regarding removing stretch marks and your products? I started this thread to get some feedback, but everyone seems to be offline.

Over the past two day my stretch marks have turned a bright pink and have soft of puffed up so when I run my hands over them they are much easier to feel. It is only the stretch marks that have turned pink, not the surrounding skin.
I'm wondering, is this a good sign or a bad sign? Should I lay off the skin for a while, or is this a sign that they are coming to the surface, and I should continue attacking them?
Any input, or opinion, would be interesting.
Right now I'm just continuing to put GA %20 cream on them during the day which is pretty moisturizing, and then tri-reduction and jojoba oil at night.

It is a good sign. The tissues are starting to change and rebuild. Just keep at attacking the marks.

First off, thank you Dr. Pickart for your reply. I'm wondering if this is just your opinion, or what you know for a matter of fact is supposed to happen?
I am really excited if this is a good sign. So far I have only been concentrating on treating the stretch marks in one area of my body, because I wanted to make sure I used the products sparingly.
The main progress I think I am seeing is that the marks feel less indented. Normally, my marks sorta bulge out, but when I pull the skin really taut I can see the indentations, and they also look shallower. They also seem to be breaking up and apart into smaller marks, but I am not sure if they were always like this and if it is just my imagination, or actual progress.
The prospect of getting rid of these marks has made me feel a lot better about myself -- like it isn't hopeless. I was sick of feeling hopeless.
I really wish others who were treating their stretch marks, or have, would contribute. So far I have gotten so good input but I am always hungry for more.

Also, this is my basic routine, which varies a little bit from day to day, but here we go:

In the mornings I put on a %20 GA cream from MD Forte. I usually end up applying this again later in the day. It is really creamy and greasy, and takes a while to feel like it is absorbed..
In the evening, when I get ready for bed is when I take my shower. In the shower I usually exfoliate the area with those hand exfoliation gloves. Sometimes I do it lightly, sometimes rough. it really just depends on what I feel like my skin can handle on that particular day.
When I get out of the shower I dry off, and immediately apply the trireduction which i rub into the area until the skin feels dry. Once that's all rubbed in and absorbed, I put on some jojoba oil and rub that in. Usually I wipe off the jojoba oil excess because I don't want it getting on my clothes.
Some nights, maybe once or twice a week, I apply a %50 GA and I try to leave it on over the whole night. I never put on that GA if i have exfoliated my skin in the shower because then it will totally burn my skin. I just have to go with what feels like wont over-do-it.
I am trying to slow it down a bit and focus more on promoting new growth, than focusing on the exfoliation.
I typically try to remember to take supplements, but I forget a lot.
when I do remember I take : a multivitamin, vitamin C, acidophilus, folic acid, MSM 2 grams, omega 3 oil, evening primrose oil, vitamin E and vitamin D, and calcium.
the reason I always forget to take my supplements is because there's so many!

I am starting to feel so discouraged about this treatment. I haven't heard from a single person who completely removed their marks, and I'm starting to doubt whether there is any possibility that it can ever be done.

Dear menarenotalone:

The key is consistency and patience. We have had clients report complete removal. Typically they had been using a strong method of abrasion (or hydroxy acid) + strong copper-peptides and doing so consistently over a period of time.

Here are some of their comments:
"I have used the Copper-Peptides mixed with Retin A (.025) on newly formed stretch marks and they disappeared... Thanks." -R.

"I just wanted to tell you that the BioHeal and a hydroxy acid did a great job of removing my stretch marks four months after the baby came." M.S., Ohio

Others have noticed a significant diminishing of stretchmarks:
"The TriReduction P&R with Retinol and the hydroxy acid definitely improved my stretch marks. They are slowly fading away." Z.H., Florida

"I had stretch marks from two pregnancies and tried everything to remove them. Finally I tried the P&R3 and hydroxy acid which has nearly cleared up the marks. I can't get over the difference in the scars from the stretch marks and my husband agrees." T.W., Pennsylvania

Best Wishes,
-Skin Biology

quote:

Originally posted by menarenotalone:
I am starting to feel so discouraged about this treatment. I haven't heard from a single person who completely removed their marks, and I'm starting to doubt whether there is any possibility that it can ever be done.

We have had clients say they removed stretch marks completely. But rarely do they have any before pictures.

The first report was a women who removed 30 year old stretch marks by alternating P&R #3 with a 8% glycolic acid cream. She said it took four months.