If you have wobbly lines of uneven skin tone on your body, you are not alone. Stretch marks are a common skin condition that is seen in 80 per cent of people.
Causes and Appearance
As its name suggests, stretch marks are caused when the skin is stretched due to a sudden weight change. Most of the times due to pregnancy, speedy weight gain, muscle gain, puberty, and also genetics.
They are uneven stripes of variable sizes of red, purple, or pink, which after some time turn into silver or skin-colored stripes.
Stretch marks usually appear on one or more of these places on the body:
- Stomach
- Arms
- Hips
- Buttocks
- Chest
- Thighs
Prevention
For stretch marks, prevention is truly better than cure. Because these marks, although harmless, do not go easily once they appear on the body.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
It is advised to stay in a healthy weight range according to your BMI. A rapid loss or gain in weight causes stretch marks that are difficult to diminish.
Even during pregnancy, it is possible to control your weight gain by exercising and controlling your diet for a linear weight change. This will prevent, or at least, minimize the appearance of stretch marks.
Stay Hydrated & Moisturized
Drink lots of water.
Keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized with products that contain hyaluronic acid and Centella sciatica makes it softer and more elastic. Hydrated skin does not get as prominent stretch marks as dry skin.
Get Ample Vitamin D
A study showed that candidates with Vitamin D deficiencies had visible stretch marks. Although more research is needed on the topic, it is only wise to use this knowledge and be loaded up on vitamin D.
The best source of vitamin D is the sun, other than that, yogurt, cereal, bread, and other food supplements may help you stay afloat.
Avoid the Usage of Steroids
Steroids come in many forms. Most common are steroids used by bodybuilders for muscle gain, or corticosteroids in prescription creams and lotions. People who are on steroids are more prone to stretch marks because steroids make your skin structure weaker by breaking down collagen.
Incorporate Nutrients in Your Diet
A nutrient-rich diet will keep your skin strong and full of healthy fats.
Especially foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C, D, E, zinc, and protein will help combat or minimize the formation of stretch marks. Most of these nutrients are natural building blocks of skin cells.
How to Treat & Minimize Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are pesky and, hence difficult to treat via medicine or natural remedies. Thus, if you want to get rid of them, medical or cosmetic treatments may help you achieve a sound result.
Laser
Light therapy, or laser treatment, may help repair the skin and soften the appearance of stretch marks.
Tretinoin
Vitamin A derivatives, such as retinoid and tretinoin, are well known for renewing the facial skin by treating wrinkles and stubborn marks. Hence, regularly applying vitamin A on stretch marks may help renew the area and help in the production of collagen and elastin.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels with glycolic acid remove dead skin cells and help resurface new and fresh skin. This may help get rid of the stubborn layers of stretch marks.
Cosmetic Surgery
A tummy tuck gets rid of extra fats from your stomach region, thus resulting in tighter-looking skin.