Stretch marks are a common problem that affects the skin and millions of people have gone through it even though others decide to simply live with the problem. It should also be remembered that stretch marks are not a disease and they are not life threatening so that any treatment that is sought is usually done for cosmetic reasons.
Causes of stretch marks
Preventing stretch marks
Your skin is made in such a way that it has some connective tissue that helps it take in any pressure by making it elastic enough to stretch to a particular extent. However, when there is a rapid increase in body weight or a fast growth of some inner tissue the connective tissue is not able to cope with the stretch leading to the elasticity hitting the limit and finally the inner layer of the skin begins to break leading to those ugly lines that appear. These sudden changes take place especially during times like pregnancy, gaining height, puberty, weight loss, weight gain and during body building sessions.
Healing stretch marks
If you are going to succeed in healing your stretch marks effectively then you must address the core issue which is the break down of collagen and elastin, which make up the connective tissue of the skin making it elastic. However, it is best when you decide to take preventive measures because complete healing is not easy and takes a lot of time to occur.
Tips on prevention of stretch marks
Prevention is always better than cure and by following these tips you will have effective ways of avoiding stretch marks:
- Eat a balanced diet: By following a balanced diet you will be able to stay within your recommended weight range and avoid stretch marks that could occur due to a rapid increase in body fat.
- Drink sufficient water: Taking enough water is essential for your overall health in general but you must also know that it keeps your skin well hydrated which is important in maintain the skin’s elasticity. Dry skin dilates easily making it vulnerable to stretch marks
- Take vitamins: You must ensure that you take proper nutrients in your diet so as to give the body the nutrients it requires to stay healthy. You must make sure that you consume enough vitamin A which promotes the life of skin cells, vitamin C, copper and iron which are important in synthesizing collagen, vitamins B1 and B2 which provide energy for cell production as well as folate which provides for quick cell division.
- Moisturize your skin: There are different moisturizing creams and lotions that can be used to massage the skin in order to enhance its elasticity. Apart from the regular oils you use at home, there are also special creams that have been formulated to specifically prevent the formation of stretch marks and a good search on the internet or your local store will show you which ones you could use.
