Which Foods Can Cure Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are scarring on the skin caused by tearing. They commonly occur during periods of rapid growth or weight gain. This includes pregnancy, weight gain, muscle building and puberty. They are usually found on the stomach, breasts, thighs, hips and upper arms. Stretch marks appear as red or purple lines initially, then fade to slightly lighter than flesh tone. The common belief is that skin that's kept moisturized is most resistant to stretch. Moisturizing is often achieved by drinking large quantities of water and eating foods with specific nutrients. Does this Spark an idea?
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Causes
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Stretch marks are caused by glucocorticoid hormones that prevent the production of collagen and elastin fibers. These are the components that keep skin tight. When collagen and elastin fibers are not produced, the skin lacks support material and the stretching results in dermal and epidermal tearing. If the tearing is deeper than the dermis and epidermis, cosmetic surgery cannot reverse the effects.
Food Aids
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Sticking to a diet focusing on skin health can help to reduce the appearance and severity of stretch marks. Foods with high zinc content, including nuts and fish, are great. So are foods high in vitamins A, C and D--such as milk, carrots and anything with citric acid. Hydrated skin is less likely to have stretch marks, so drinking large quantities of water and avoiding caffeine helps prevent them as well. Foods with silica also help the skin stretch and, later, tighten again. Focusing on a diet high in vitamins A, C, D and silica will not cure stretch marks but helps prevent them.
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Cream Aids
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Most women have stretch marks as a result of pregnancy, so much of the testing for products to minimize stretch marks is done on pregnant women. Research shows that regularly moisturizing skin can prevent--or lessen the degree--of stretch marks. Daily use of creams with collagen-elastin hydrolysates and vitamin E, along with centella asiatica, resulted in fewer stretch marks. A similar cream, containing vitamin E, elastin, menthol, hyaluronic acid and panthenol, yielded similar results. Similar to foods intended to keep skin moisturized, creams cannot cure stretch marks. They can only prevent and possibly lighten them.
Medical Treatments
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Laser treatments, prescription retinoid creams and dermabrasion are the most popular procedures to reverse the effects of stretch marks. Laser treatments tend to have a relatively high success rate, though they lessen the appearance of stretch marks rather than completely eliminating them. Fractional laser resurfacing, a new method, has a 75 percent success rate, while using TriPollar radiofrequency improves stretch mark appearance by an average of 50 percent.
Misconceptions
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Cocoa butter has long been a go-to stretch mark treatment for women. However, while it is a great moisturizer, there is no record of cocoa butter lessening the appearance of stretch marks or preventing them. Although moisturized skin is less likely to have stretch marks, studies show that consuming the proper nutrients is most effective in their prevention.
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