During rapid periods of weight gain, you can develop stretch marks from overstretching the skin. Reddish and purplish lines appear on the surface of the skin due to an interruption in the production of collagen. Bodybuilders, pregnant women and teenagers going through puberty are more prone to stretch marks. While attempting to get rid of stretch marks on the body, you can use a sunless tanning product to hide them.
Step 1
Keep your skin well hydrated. If your skin is dried out, the stretch marks are likely to be more apparent. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day. Avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol since these items act as a diuretic.
Step 2
Eat foods high in zinc, vitamin A and vitamin C. Since stretch marks can result from a nutritional deficiency, treat the condition by adding more foods high in zinc, vitamin A and vitamin C. Food sources include carrots, green leafy vegetables, nuts, shellfish, eggs and milk.
Step 3
Moisturize the areas affected by the stretch marks. Over-the-counter creams can moisturize the skin to help fade away the blemishes. There are specific brands developed to treat stretch marks. Some product examples are Palmer's Cocoa Butter for Stretch Marks and StriVectin Stretch Mark Cream.
Step 4
Speak to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon about stretch mark removal options. If you are unable to get rid of the stretch marks on your own, you can set up a consultation with a doctor. Dermabrasion, laser therapy and chemical peeling are used to remove stretch marks. During dermabrasion, an abrasive tool removes top layers of the skin.
Chemical peels involve the application of chemicals to burn off the skin and expose new layers. Laser therapy stimulates the growth of collagen and elastin in order to remodel the skin that contains the stretch marks. Multiple treatments of each procedure may be needed to effectively remove stretch marks.
