Stretch marks happen when your skin has to expand faster than its normal rate. Stretch marks creep up when you become pregnant, gain weight, have a growth spurt or build large amounts of muscles in a short period of time, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If your stretch marks occur as part of your body's natural processes, you might not be able to avoid them. Still, there are some ways you can minimize their attempt to take over your skin or prevent the situations in which they're most likely to occur.
Step 1
Swing by your doctor's office to make sure you're in good health. Stretch marks are sometimes associated with medical conditions like Cushing syndrome, diabetes or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. You can also get stretch marks from using certain medications, like cortisone-based skin ointments, for long periods of time. Talk to your doctor about any symptoms you're having or medications you're taking, no matter how unrelated to minor you think they are. A lot of small symptoms often paint one large picture of a problem.
Step 2
Improve your diet to help prevent weight gain. Eat a diet created around a foundation of whole grains, fruits and vegetables and lean proteins, as the American Heart Association recommends, for weight loss and optimal health. Make sure you're not taking in more calories than you burn each day.
Step 3
Perform any type of enjoyable physical activity for 30 minutes each day, five days per week, advises the American College of Sports Medicine. Exercise doesn't just prevent weight gain, but also improves blood flow and circulation, which improves skin health.
Step 4
Keep hydrated to help maintain skin elasticity. Eat foods that bolster collagen and elastin production, as these are the building blocks of strong skin. The American Pregnancy Association recommends foods high in zinc, vitamin C, silica and vitamin E to strengthen collagen and elastin fibers. These foods strengthen skin-building fibers and prevent them from tearing as skin expands.
Step 5
Apply lotions that contain vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acids to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. While their effects haven't been medically proven, according to The American Pregnancy Association, they're under the category of "might not help but won't hurt."
Things You'll Need
- Vitamin E or alpha hydroxy acid lotion
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