Right alongside weight gain and cellulite issues, learning how to prevent stretch marks is a big concern for most women. In this article we’re going to take a look at what causes those spidery-looking scars, and how to avoid them.
Prevent Stretch Marks: The Cause
There are two main elements that go into the formation of stretch marks. The first is rapid growth or weight gain, and the second is your skin’s inability to stretch fast enough in order to keep up with the growth. In this instance, the collagen and fibers in the skin become dehydrated and are stretched to breaking – causing those purplish-white, vein-looking scars that race across your abdomen, legs, arms or back.
How To Prevent Stretch Marks
There are four main ways to treat or prevent stretch marks: nutrition, hydration, creams, and treatment options.
Nutrition: As in all things, your body is simply healthier and more able to cope with all things when it’s properly fed. Be sure to eat lots of leafy green veggies, fresh produce, lean proteins and whole-grain carbs every day – especially those foods that contain high levels of Vitamin E, Vitamin A, and Selenium, which are good when looking to prevent stretch marks.
Stay as far away from sugar and processed foods as you can. Sugar, in particular, can be a major contributor to stretch marks, cellulite, and weight gain.
Hydration: Keeping your body hydrated will ensure that the skin has enough moisture to stretch when it needs to. Dehydration is a big reason why collagen and fibers are able to break when pressured. To prevent stretch marks, avoid dehydrating drinks like coffees, sodas, alcohol, and so on. Caffeine in particular is another big contributor of stretch marks.
Creams: Choose ultra-hydrating creams made with Vitamin E, almond oil or wheat germ oil, cocoa butter, lanolin, or Vitamin A. All of these are wonderful for the skin and will help make skin fibers more supple and flexible. Pregnant women should take care in choosing which creams they use as some are not healthy for a developing fetus. A consultation with your doctor or dermatologist can confirm which creams to avoid.
Treatment Options: If it’s too late to think about how to prevent stretch marks, and you’ve already got them, then consider pursuing one of these treatment options. Laser surgery, for one, is great for women who have noticeable, but not major stretch marks. There’s a short recovery period and it is much less invasive then other treatments. Cosmetic surgery, on the other hand, is better suited for women with extreme scarring. While more expensive and more invasive, it can be effective in dealing with stretch marks.
By far the best route to take is to prevent stretch marks before they become a problem. By maintaining a nutrition-packed diet, staying hydrated, avoiding rapid weight gain, and regularly using hydrating creams on potential problem areas, you can do a lot to keep stretch marks at bay.
You also may want to consider taking omega 3 supplements for your skin health. The best omega 3 krill oil information can be found at WellWise.org.
