How to Reduce Stretch Mark Appearance

Stretch marks can be a frustrating result of positive accomplishments in a persons' life, such as having a baby and losing weight. However, stretch marks can also be a result of hormonal changes and genetics. Stretch marks are caused by the excessive stretching of the skin creating reddish, purple or even white lines. The following steps will help prevent and reduce the visible signs of stretch marks.

Instructions

1. Maintain a healthy weight and body mass. Reduce sugar intake and increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein. Benefit your skin's health and appearance with flax seed oil and omega-3 fatty acids.

2. Exercise with a mix of cardio and weight lifting 3-6 days a week. Lift weights to help burn calories and increase metabolism. Improve mental well-being with exercise, which acts as a natural anti-depressant. An upbeat mood will keep the appearance of stretch marks in perspective and improve self-esteem. Remember: You are not defined by your stretch marks.

3. Use moisturizers with vitamin A and E to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and penetrate skin cell growth. Beware of false advertisements claiming to make stretch marks disappear. Bear in mind, nothing has been 100 percent proven to completely remove stretch marks.

4. Disguise the appearance of stretch marks with self-tanners. Exfoliate before applying self-tanner. Apply self-tanner evenly to skin. Go to a salon for a professional spray tan, which can last up to a week. Be diligent moisturizing skin to make a self-tanner last longer.

5. Exfoliate and massage skin to increase circulation and minimize the appearance of stretch marks.

6. Consider extreme methods of removing stretch marks with laser treatment performed by certified dermatologists or cosmetic surgeons. Micro-Dermabrasion is used to exfoliate the top layer of the skin and minimize stretch marks on the body. Non-Ablative Skin Rejuvenation is a relatively new procedure that has gained a lot of popularity due to promising results. Non-Ablative Skin Rejuvenation uses light energy to stimulate skin cells to repair themselves into newer versions of themselves.

Tips & Warnings

• Vitamin A can be dangerous if taken in high doses during pregnancy.

• Avoid tanning beds to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Using tanning beds are equally as dangerous to lying out in the sun, and can increase your chances of getting skin cancer.