Skin, Beauty, Health & Fitness Topics


Preventing and Treating Stretch Marks

by Gabriell Rygh

Because our body is constantly changing, our skin having to deal with non-stop stretching and pulling. Fortunately, our skin is elastic enough to withstand most of these transformations. Nevertheless, rapid growth or weight fluctuations can demand our skin to stretch beyond its elastic limit and produce scar tissue known as stretch marks.

Stretch marks are common in adolescence due to growth spurts. In this case they usually appear around the back of the legs, hips and breasts. Another factor, such as excessive weight gain during puberty can also produce stretch marks.

Pregnancy is another stage in life when stretch marks can appear. They are likely to appear around the abdomen and breasts. After having given birth take care to gradually lose weight, rapid weight lose will cause more stretch marks to appear.

If you thought that the only people affected by stretch marks where teenagers and women, you were wrong. Bodybuilders are also susceptible to stretch marks due to rapid weight gain. Within the bodybuilding world this rapid weight gain is known as bulking up. On these athletes the signs of stretch mark formation appear on the biceps, thighs, and even hips.

How to Prevent Stretch Marks

So far, so good. You're thinking you are safe from being affected by stretch marks because you're not a teenager, woman, or bodybuilder, but you're wrong again. You see, stretch marks have a genetic component which means that if your parents have stretch marks, then the chances of you getting them is pretty high. Nevertheless, there are a couple of things you can do to prevent their formation.

Firstly, follow a sensible diet and avoid rapid weight fluctuations. If you a planning to bulk up, make sure that you do it as gradually as possible. Your skin will be better equipped to handle the increase in your body mass if you gain weight slowly.

This is also true for pregnancy. Losing weight slowly will help limit your chances of developing stretch marks. You can even get some added support by using special stretch marks lotions that can also make your skin more resistant to striae.

Find out How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

If you want complete and total removal of your stretch marks, surgery is your only option. But, if you've placed all your faith in surgery keep in mind that not all areas are easily treated, such as the underarm area. Instead of undergoing an invasive treatment, prefer looking into other less aggressive options.

Another alternative that can help you deal with stretch marks is microdermabrasion. If you think that microdermabrasion could be just what you're looking for then you'll have to undergo several treatments before seeing any results. Once you've begun sessions you can follow up treatment with a stretch marks cream for additional help.

If you are using creams to treat stretch marks then you will need to patient in order to benefit from the treatment. However, there are natural creams that can help reduce the size and appearance of stretch marks. Look for products containing rose hip (seed) oil or use rose hip oil itself.

If you've tried all of these options and none of them seem to work, you can always try covering them up. As a matter of fact, body make up can successfully cover larger areas, especially those that cannot be covered by clothing.

Due to its genetic component, it may be difficult to prevent stretch marks. However, you can remedy stretch marks with a good stretch mark cream like BIOBODYCREAM. This stretch mark treatment cream is a wonderful natural product that can gently remove all traces of damaged skin and replaces it with new, healthy tissue.

Published January 12th, 2010

Filed in Women