Stretch marks -- lots of people have them, and nobody's fond of them. Once you get the telltale, light-colored lines, it's hard to get rid of them. The easiest way to deal with them is to take some precautions to minimize your risk of getting them in the first place. While it's not possible to guarantee yourself a life free from stretch marks, it's possible to be proactive against them.
What They Are
Stretch marks are a form of scarring from the skin being stretched too far, too quickly, causing breaking in the middle layer of skin tissue. Collagen is the main fiber in the skin that keeps it taut, but when the skin is stretched too quickly, the body repairs the tears with fibrin -- another, similar material that acts almost as a bandage would on a top-layer skin wound but that appears very different, according to Younger You.
Life Change/Body Changes
You are most at risk for developing stretch marks when the body is going through big changes. Pregnancy is when many women develop their first stretch marks, and the belly is the most common place for them. If you go through a quick growth spurt during puberty, you may develop them anywhere from arms to legs and the on the sides of developing breasts. You are also likely to get stretch marks if you are overweight, have gained or lost weight quickly or are a "yo-yo" dieter -- someone who constantly loses and regains weight.
Genetics
Chances are if your mother has had stretch marks, you will have them too. Also, if you developed any during puberty, you are more prone to marks during pregnancy or any subsequent weight gain. Some people's skin is simply made with more collagen than others and can bounce back from stretching better than those whose skin has less collagen.
Prevention/Solution
While many people believe the many lotions, creams, potions and ointments on the market will prevent stretch marks, they often do little because they do not penetrate the deeper layers of skin where stretch marks occur. The best thing you can do is to keep your weight stable. Eat a healthy diet and exercise to keep your figure taut. When pregnant, there may be little you can do to prevent marks on your belly, but keeping your weight on the lower side of the recommended scale is your best bet, according to Hip Chick Pregnancy Guide.
Potential
If you do end up with stretch marks, they are best treated when they are new and still pink, before they have faded to a shade lighter than your skin. Though there is no proven solution, sufferers have seen some results from laser treatments such as Fraxel and light treatments such as VelaSmooth.
