Photo: Jonathan Skow

Q: I'm only 24, but already I have stretch marks on my upper arms and my breasts. Is there anything I can do to get rid of them?

A: Stretch marks are caused by tiny tears in the elastic fibers of your skin and the breakdown of collagen; they can be minimized by a combination of microdermabrasion and laser treatments, says Fran Cook-Bolden, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University. Both techniques stimulate the skin to build collagen; together, they work synergistically to produce the maximum amount, says Cook-Bolden.

Bottom Line: Depending on the extent and severity of your stretch marks, you'll need six to ten, or more, microdermabrasion and laser treatments each to see a difference.