How do I keep Stretch marks away?

Question

When I choose to get pregnant, or when I work out at the gym. Ive had these nasty lil marks come up, they have faded, but it took some time and effort, how can I go the easy route and keep them away?

Answer 1

Stretch marks are a form of scarring generally associated with pregnancy, obesity, bodybuilding, puberty, and intense physical activity. They result from overstretching of the skin, which disrupts the normal production of collagen, causing a scar. Medical terminology for these kinds of markings include striae, striae atrophicae, vergetures, striae cutis distensae, striae gravidarum (in cases where it is caused by pregnancy), lineae atrophicae, striae distensae, linea albicante.

They first appear as reddish or purple lines, but tend to gradually fade to a lighter color. The affected areas appear empty and soft to the touch.

Human skin has three different layers: the epidermis (outer layer), the dermis (middle layer), and the subcutaneous stratum (innermost layer). Stretch marks occur in the dermis, the resilient middle layer that helps the skin retain its shape. Once the dermis has been stretched continuously over time, certain parts of it "overstretch", losing all elasticity and causing the connective fibres within to break. The result is what we know as stretch marks.

Once the body returns to the original unstretched size (after childbirth or weight loss, for example) stretch marks often become much less noticeable.

Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body. They are most likely to appear in places where fat is stored, or that have a tendency to stretch. Most common places are the abdomen (especially near the belly-button), breasts, upper arms, underarms, thighs (both inner and outer), hips, and buttocks. They pose no health risk in and of themselves, and do not compromise the body's ability to function normally and repair itself.

[edit] Prevention and cure

Between 75 and 90 per cent of women develop stretch marks during pregnancy. The sustained stretching on the abdomen as a result of pregnancy usually means stretch marks will appear during the sixth or seventh month.

There are various methods that claim to remove them, including laser treatments, dermabrasion, and topical applications (e.g. cocoa butter)[1], but none guarantees it.

There is no assured method of preventing stretch marks, although many believe that using oils or creams in high-risk areas may help prevent them by giving the skin more flexibility. Many over the counter products are sold for such use.

The only reliable treatment for already-existing stretch marks is surgery. While several topical applications exist, they are only effective in fading the stretch marks; they do not cause stretch marks to completely disappear.

Answer 2

There is absolutely nothing that prevents stretch marks. When I was pregnant, you could hardly see a stretch mark on my belly, it was beautiful and I thought I was so lucky. Lo and behold, once I had my son and my belly deflated, all of the stretch marks "appeared" out of nowhere. My guess is they use the saran wrap to keep the skin from feeling like it will tear open by keeping it moist and hydrated (which is not proven to prevent stretch marks). I bet you a dollar that now Kate has stretch marks up the wazoo. There is no way that a person can stretch like that and not have a single stretch mark to show for it.

Answer 3

Use vitamin E oil or lots of lotion in the areas that are stretching. You need to keep the area really elastic. The more soft and stretchy your skin can become the less stretch marks. If your really skinny its sometimes hard to keep them away when you get pregnant. I guess there is one good reason to be a little chunky. Most stretch marks will fade over time but not go away totally. If you can't keep them away just think of them as war wounds and wear them proudly. Good Luck

Answer 4

The first thing to know is that no over-the-counter cream or lotion can remove those lines. Stretch marks occur in the middle layer of the skin, called the dermis, and common creams can't reach that far deep. Vitamin E and cocoa butter treatments can make your skin feel soft and supple, but they won't make your skin mark-free. You'll need to talk to a doctor, dermatologist, or plastic surgeon if you want to seriously reduce the lines.

Prescription creams containing Tretinoin, also called Retin-A, may help reduce the appearance of fresh stretch marks. These creams should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This type of treatment will not eliminate stretch marks completely, and it won't work on older marks that have already faded from red.

A French treatment called Endermologie claims to reduce scarring. A machine with rollers and gentle suction is used to massage and exfoliate the affected area. Again, this won't remove stretch marks, but it may enhance the overall appearance of the skin.

Laser surgery is sometimes used to lessen the severity of stretch marks, but the results are mixed. Microdermabrasion has been somewhat more successful in changing the appearance of stretch marks. Both treatments are expensive and should only be performed by qualified doctors.

Answer 5

Stretch marks ar scarring of the tissue. To prevent them, Cocoa butter should be used to keep the skin soft and pliable to the abuse of pregnancy, weight gain and rapid muscle gain.

Answer 6

there is this wonderful "Palmer's cocoa butter formula" in stores. works great for me and an older friend that had 3 kids.

Answer 7

use virgin anti-stretch marks cream and you will be happy you did

Answer 8

just get some Cocoa butter lotion and use that to help prevent them

Answer 9

Don't get pregnant...

Answer 10

use coco butter cream or bio oil.............