Most people associate getting stretch marks with pregnancy. And while it is common for stretch marks to occur after pregnancy, there are also many other instances where stretch marks are caused. Some other examples are people going through puberty. This can often leave stretch marks on boys and girls. Periods of rapid weight gain, and it is nice to avoid stretch marks.
Avoid Stretch Marks With These 5 Tips
Stretch marks are caused by the skin’s elasticity not being able to keep up with the speed in which it is expanding and therefore the elastic layer tears. This condition affects both sexes and genetics play a role but is not the reason in all cases. If your grandparents or parents developed stretch marks, then you are more likely to get them too during rapid fluctuations in weight or size. Medically, it is defined as the “tearing” of the dermis and the dermis due to your skin’s failure to accommodate this rapid fluctuation.
The rapid stretching of the skin due to rapid growth or weight gain results in the appearance of bands of parallel lines on your skin. These lines come in different colors and generally start as a reddish / purple color then over time fade to more of a silver color. But sometimes they fade completely within 6 to 12 months. The most commonly affected areas are on the abdomen area, thighs, upper arms, breasts, and the buttocks. Fortunately, there are things you can do to avoid stretch marks having them or, at least, minimize their appearance on your skin.
#Keep Yourself Hydrated to avoid stretch marks
Keeping yourself and your skin hydrated properly can reduce the chances of getting stretch marks. While different moisturizing lotions have various levels of effectiveness, all of them are effective in keeping your skin hydrated as long as you are using moisturizers which are free of alcohol, parabens and use natural ingredients. Besides moisturizers, try drinking more water, about 8-12 glasses a day should be enough to keep you hydrated. Drinking lots of water will help your skin retain its elasticity and therefore lessoning the chance of getting stretch marks. Always be aware of the symptoms of dehydration such as dry lips and throat, loss of concentration, lethargy and headaches.
#Maintain a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is also important. Rapid fluctuations in a person’s size and weight is a major contributing factor in the appearance of stretch marks. When your weight gain is sudden, the skin can be stretched past its elasticity and will cause stretch marks. This goes for those who are putting on a lot of muscle also. However, there are some uncontrollable situations such as sudden height gain during puberty and size during pregnancy.
#Proper Nutrition
Similarly important to keeping yourself hydrated, eating the right kind of foods is also really important in keep our skin healthy. Healthy skin keeps its elasticity, and nourishing it from the inside through a healthy diet is a must. Foods that are rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Vitamin C are essential for healthy skin. Some examples are tomatoes, apples, carrots, avocados and nuts. Whole foods that are colorful such as green vegetables are rich sources of anti-oxidants. Oxidation cause the cells in our body to die, and anti-oxidants prevents the occurrence of oxidation. They can repair damaged skin cells and encourage the growth of new ones.
#Essential Oils
Lotions containing coconut oil and cocoa butter have been shown to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Olive oil is another good option to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Apply it through a massaging action to avoid stretch marks.
#Exercise
Engaging in physical workout can reduce the risk of getting stretch marks on your skin. While eating a proper diet can nourish your skin, exercises can help maintain your weight and keep your skin healthy. Engaging in a regular exercise routine can help prevent sudden increases in your weight and therefore not putting the extra strain on the skin which causes stretch marks. Also, during workouts, our bodies dispel toxins through the sweat pores.
Eating the right kinds of food, drinking lots of water, using moisturizers / essential oils, and having an exercise regimen can greatly help to avoid stretch marks maintain the appearance of your skin and can help prevent stretch marks.
Author Bio
Shannon loves all things outdoors such as hiking, camping, and bike riding. After her second child, Shannon was left with large stretch marks and is now passionate about helping others prevent and help reduce their own stretch marks as well as reduce other skin spots & blemishes. She can be found at skinhealthbody.com
