Your skin stays supple because of collagen and proteins elastin, but when skin gets overstretched during pregnancy, puberty, weight gain, or hormonal imbalance, the dermis layer of skin tears & forms stretch marks. Stretch marks can be commonly seen in obese people and sometimes they can be genetic. The stretch marks are the scars that develop when the skin has to accommodate rapid growth and nobody likes it. They first appear as reddish or purple lines that may be on your thighs, belly, or hip. Stretch marks fade with time, but like any other scar, they don’t completely disappear. Don’t lose hope and don’t waste your hard-earned money on some lotions & creams that claim to remove your stretch marks as stretch marks are formed from within and some topical application can’t reverse that process. Eating healthy food and a healthy lifestyle can boost your defense against stretch marks. This will help your skin to maintain its elasticity. These measures are even better for your health. Some of the effective natural ways to protect against stretch marks are described below
1. Eat Foods That Will Boost Collagen Production
Enjoy foods rich in vitamins C, B, and E, all of which contribute to collagen formation. Good (and delicious) options include citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, and nuts and seeds. Check out the other foods you should eat for your skin this summer!
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2. Do Regular ExerciseÂ
You have to do some physical activity regularly if you want to protect yourself from getting stretch marks. Exercise will improve blood circulation & thereby improves skin elasticity. Several scientific studies showed that doing exercise regularly can reverse the aging process.
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3. Stay Well Hydrated
Drinking an ample amount of water is the best natural way to strengthen & regenerate your skin. It can also boost your immunity, keep your muscles energized, and improves the digestion process.
Once the stretch marks appear on your body then there are two ways by which you can remove this. Either by laser treatments or by application of topical retinoids that will stimulate collagen growth & improve cell turnover. Some believe that the topical application of vitamin E can be effective against stretch marks but this is still not proved.
Some homemade remedies like a mixture of onion extract and hyaluronic acid can sometimes be effective. Finally, if any medication or treatment can’t remove your stretch mark then you should try to accept the change & even embrace them as having stretch marks can never change your outlook. Some women embrace their pregnancy stretch mark as a symbol of proud motherhood and a badge of love and affection towards their children.