Stretch Marks: Treatment and Tips to Help You Reduce the Risk of Having it

Stretch mark are disfiguring lesions that can be developed by anyone and it occurs to any part of the body. stretch mark is most common in women than men. it occurs when the skin cannot return to normal form after a period of intense growth due to weight gain, weight loss, puberty, or pregnancy. you will be learning some home remedies to get rid of stretch marks and ways you can prevent them in this article.

Stretch mark

Stretch mark is also called Striae. they are extremely common. they are long, narrow streaks stripe or lines that occurs when the skin is suddenly stretched. The areas most affected are:

• abdomen
• breasts
• hips
• flank
• buttocks
• thighs

Who may likely develop a stretch mark

Risk factor includes:

• being female
• having a family history of stretch marks
• being overweight
• being pregnant
• gaining or losing weight quickly
• using corticosteroids
• having breast augmentation
• having certain genetic disorders, such as Cushing’s syndrome or Marfan syndrome.

Also Read: Skin Types and Tips on How to  Maintain Them 

Tips to prevent stretch marks

The tips here will help you reduce your risk of having stretch marks and prevent the ones you already have from expanding.

Stay Hydrated

The recommended daily water intake for men is 104 ounces while 72 ounces for women. Drinking more water will help you stay hydrated and soft as dry skin tends to develop stretch marks more than soft skin. you may balance out your fluid intake with tea, plenty of water, and drinks that are caffeine-free.

Control Your weight

Whether you are pregnant or not, one thing that can help you prevent stretch marks is keeping a healthy weight. Stretch marks can happen when your skin pulls apart quickly due to rapid weight gain. You may also notice stretch marks after rapid weight loss.

Eat a nutrient-rich diet

Stretch marks may also be developed due to a lack of nutrition in certain areas. Eat foods that boost skin health and Make sure your diet includes foods rich in:

• Vitamin C
  this nutrient can be found in fruits such as oranges, lemons and it can be found in vegetables too. Vitamin C plays an important role in maintaining your skin elasticity and keeping it strong. it helps to develop collagen, reduce wrinkles, and may prevent stretch marks.
• Vitamin D
  The result from the research suggested that a healthy level of Vitamin D may reduce the risk of stretch marks. The easiest way to get vitamin D is through exposure to the sun, from bread, cereal, and dairy products like milk or yogurt.
• Zinc
  Although, there is no evidence of a connection between zinc and stretch marks.  zinc is an important nutrient for skin health. it helps in reducing inflammation and in the wound healing process.
• Vitamin E
• Protein

Read Also: Skin Glow:  Easy  Skincare Tips for Nigerian Women

Treatment for stretch marks

It may be difficult to prevent stretch marks but there are many treatments that help to lessen their appearance.

Retinoid cream
This cream is a topical medication that comes from vitamin A. it will help rebuild the collagen in your skin and make the mark fade away to look like the rest of the skin. most physicians do not allow pregnant and nursing mothers to use it.

Laser therapy

This is another option for reducing stretch marks. there a various types of therapy that help stimulate collagen in your skin to grow.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid creams and chemical peels are other treatments for stretch marks. they help to lessen the appearance of the stretch mark but do not prevent the appearance of new ones.

Simple home remedies for stretch marks

1 Sugar

• Take a table spoon of sugar.
• Add few drops of lemon juice to the sugar.
• stir is well and apply on the stretch mark directly.
• wait for 8 to 10 minutes before taking a shower. continue this process till the stretch marks fades away.

2 Potatoes

take a slice of freshly cut potatoes and gently rub it on the stretch marks for a few minutes after the juice must have dried up, wash the area with lukewarm water.

3 Water
Drink up to 10 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated and keep skin soft. water helps to transport oxygen and nutrient to all parts of the body thereby preventing any form of skin damage.

4 Lemon
Lemon is known to reduce stretch marks, acne, skin injuries, and scars. Gently massage lemon juice in a circular motion on the stretch marks for 10 minutes then wash with warm water.

5 Egg whites

• Take two eggs and extract the white,.
  Whip the egg white with a fork
• Clean the affected area with water
• Apply a thick layer of the egg white on the stretch mark with a brush
• Allow it to dry completely before washing off with cold water.
• apply olive oil to moisturize the skin and continue this process on a daily bases for a better result.

Conclusion

Stretch mark is often a temporary problem that poses no long term health risk. preventing them may be difficult but with time they often fade away to become less noticeable. if the stretch mark is covering a large area of your body, you may see your doctor to know the causes and possible treatment.

you may read

• Dry lips: Food that will keep your lips soft and supple
• Chapped Lips:  Simple Tricks to Prevent and Get rid of  Lip Dryness 

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