How to Reduce Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are an inevitable result of pregnancy or rapid weight loss or weight gain for some men and women. Stretch marks are not something you suffer from physically, but many people who have them become self-conscious about their stretch marks. However, the following steps may help you reduce their appearance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Brush your skin with a loofah or skin brush when you shower to stimulate circulation.
2. Massage cocoa butter into the stretch marks.
3. Use vitamin E oil on your stretch marks. Massage it into your skin after a shower.
4. Talk to your doctor about using tretinoin cream on stretch marks. It is available by prescription only.
5. Eat foods high in vitamins A, E and C (see Related eHows), or take supplements in addition to your diet. However, pregnant women should avoid taking more than 25,000 IU of vitamin A.
6. Add foods or supplements to your diet that are high in zinc (see Related eHow), which is good for the skin, and silica (beets, brown rice, bell peppers, soybeans, leafy green vegetables and whole grains), which helps form collagen, the supporting fibers in the skin.
7. Eat foods that contain essential fatty acids, which help make cell walls. Essential fatty acids can be found in many vegetables, vegetable oils and fish oils.

Tips & Warnings

• Lasers have shown some promise in reducing the appearance of stretch marks. They seem to work best on stretch marks that are still fairly new and are red or purple in color.
• Check your local supermarket or drugstore for commercial creams such as Belly Butter, a moisturizing and replenishing maternity body cream.
• Always consult your doctor or a medical professional before making changes to your diet.