Woman World Web

July 28th, 2009 by Meghan D. Ernest

Stretch marks aren’t harmful, but they can be embarrassing and a pain to deal with. Most women will get them at least once in their lives, and stretch marks can be caused by a lot of things- like gaining weight suddenly, getting pregnant, or not having enough moisture in your skin and the air around you.

You may be wondering why people get stretch marks. Stretch marks are formed when the top layer of skin is stretched too far, and the skin tears. As these tiny tears heal, scar tissue forms and the area is left wrinkled and misshapen. For most people, they will fade as years go by, but sometimes they just won’t go away. Many resort to surgical procedures to get rid of stretch marks, but they can often be prevented by maintaining your weight, and taking good care of your skin.

Other things that are thought to cause stretch marks are yo-yo dieting, dry skin, and lackluster nutrition. These things can cause the collagen and elastin within your skin to break down, leading to stretch marks. Here are some ways to prevent them:

Regular exercise is beneficial not only to your skin, but to your entire body. It increases circulation all over, keeping your skin replenished and supple. Also, a good “sweat session” will flush all those toxins and dead skin cells out of your pores, stimulating your skin’s natural renewal.

A vigorous workout will reduce overall stress and help to balance your hormones, which we all know can lead to more elastic and toned skin. That’s something we could all benefit from!

If you don’t already, choose a good moisturizer and apply it consistently. Ideally, your moisturizer will contain vitamin E, and cocoa or shea butter. Apply it twice a day, preferably after a bath because that will seal moisture into your skin. Remember, consistency is key!

Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Your metabolism will stay high and your skin will be healthier. Choose foods that are rich in antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. They will improve the condition of your skin and stimulate cell turnover, building stronger skin and reducing your chances of getting stretch marks.

Laser treatments work well for facial rejuvenation, but they can also be used on other parts of the body. Non-ablative lasers, like Fraxel, will remove the top layer of skin, which is where stretch marks appear. A fresh and new layer will develop within a few weeks, smoothing out your marks and leaving behind more youthful skin.

Some cosmetics and skin care products work against stretch marks, also. Those that are loaded with vitamins (such as vitamin A and vitamin E) are excellent at preventing stretch marks from forming, as well as treating ones that are already present.

For those who want to keep it natural, there are quite a few herbal preparations that promote healthy and supple skin. Ingredients like vitamin A, vitamin E, olive oil, and aloe vera work well when applied directly to the affected area. All of these will make you have more elastic, moisturized skin.

Even home remedies are effective- simple ingredients like oatmeal and egg whites will work to minimize the appearance of stretch marks and encourage the growth of healthy tissues. While not providing the immediate results of a surgical procedure, natural and home remedies will over time make stretch marks less noticeable.

While there’s no surefire way to prevent all stretch mark cases, most can be reduced through healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Stretch marks are something most of us will have to deal with at some time, and treatments ranging from surgery to natural remedies all help to manage them and keep skin looking great.