Tips on Stretch Marks

Make stretch marks a thing of the past.

While stretch marks can happen to anyone, they are especially common in women. This is because of the rapid growth that takes place during pregnancy, as well as the breast and thigh development of puberty. Stretch marks occur due to the tearing of skin and loss of its elasticity, which results from times of fast weight gain or loss. The marks have a red or pink appearance at first, and eventually fade to white. Several tips can help you prevent and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

Diet

Consuming a healthy and well-balanced diet can prevent stretch marks from occurring. Make sure you eat a lot of foods loaded with zinc and vitamins A, C and E. Foods that are rich in these vitamins can help your skin with maintaining its natural elasticity and firmness. Apart from your eating habits, keep your body and skin hydrated by drinking water frequently.

Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter deeply moisturizes the skin and is helpful both for preventing and reducing the appearance of existing stretch marks. Simply massage cocoa butter over stretch marks -- or massage it over parts of your body that are prone to stretch marks, such as thighs, hips, stomach and buttock area. Other moisturizers that can help prevent and decrease stretch marks are almond oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, wheat germ oil and vitamin E cream. Vitamin E works especially well when the body is damp just after showering.

Fitness

One easy way to prevent and reduce stretch marks is by working out on a regular basis. Regular exercise is beneficial for toning muscles, which can decrease the appearance of stretch marks. Exercise can also help with weight loss and management. Maintaining a healthy weight is beneficial for preventing stretch marks, since rapid weight gain is one of the primary culprits behind them.

Laser Treatments

If you have existing stretch marks and are serious about getting rid of them, consider undergoing laser treatments. A couple of common options are fractional photothermolysis and pulsed dye laser therapy. The first treatment involves utilizing light wavelengths in order to encourage new growth of both elastin and collagen. The latter treatment uses nonablative light to rejuvenate the dermis by encouraging elastin and collagen growth. The therapy works best on new and darker stretch marks, but can also be conducted on older ones.

Exfoliation

Exfoliating your skin can help prevent and get rid of stretch marks. While bathing, use a loofah to softly scrub the skin, which promotes circulation. Scrubbing over existing stretch marks can also decrease the dead skin residing over the marks, which will minimize their appearance.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Stretch Marks
• Women's Health Care Topics: Stretch Mark Prevention & Treatment
• First Time Pregnancy: Stretch Mark Prevention Tips