Many reports have proven that stretch marks are one of the top five reasons for insecurity in women. To learn how you are able to help keep your stretch marks away or minimised read this article.

So what does getting stretch marks signify to you? For me they are the symbolization of having a baby. Stretch marks may be viewed as the proud emblem of the children you have carried or as the barrier to life in a bikini. Nevertheless, for many women, they are merely a reality of life.

Whilst a few women begin developing stretch marks during puberty, others only have problems for the first time during a pregnancy. Additionally, stretch marks are also linked with obesity and may formulate during rapid muscle growth. As a matter of fact, stretch marks not only impact women but also men as well.

So what are stretch marks and what do they look like? Medically, they are called striae gravidarum and they appear like purplish red lines or bands. Stretch marks are caused when underlying tissue grows faster than the skin layers covering it, making small tears in the epidermal surface. In these tears, scar tissue then proceeds to grow, producing stretch marks. They are likely to form on areas such as the tummy, hips, breasts or thighs - wherever your skin has all of a sudden stretched. They start to become white, smooth, shiny and flattened once you lose weight and things return to normal.

How to reduce the appearance of stretch marks

Watch your weight and try not to put it on too quickly. Drink plenty of water as hydration keeps your skin soft and less likely to formulate stretch marks. Caffeine may also increase your chance of getting stretch marks. Make certain you balance the fluids if you are unable to give up your coffee or tea. Drink just as much or more water as you drink coffee, tea or soda. Nutritional deficiency may also result in stretch marks. Therefore, ensure you eat foods that boost skin health: foods rich in zinc, such as nuts or fish; foods high in vitamins A and C, such as carrots and citrus fruits and milk; protein rich foods, such as eggs.

Massage your body with preventative oil or cream rich in vitamin E. Although it is better to begin applying this preventative treatment during the early stages of pregnancy or when you are trying to conceive. Nevertheless, it is never too late to begin and you will experience great results on areas that have already been affected by stretch marks. The cream works by penetrating deeply into the skin cell layers and works on improving the elasticity. It does this by toning the collagen and elastin-rich tissues that are responsible for the flexibility and elasticity of the skin. The cream has a rejuvenating effect by stimulating cell growth and production and therefore enhancing skin replenishment.

In my opinion as a last resort to minimise stretch marks would be to use surgical methods such as Dermabrasion, chemical peels or laser surgery.

I hope by reading my article you are able to now take charge of your appearance and make certain you will not suffer from this unsightly problem in the first place. It is not necessary to cover up on the beach or to be ashamed around your significant other again, you can regain your self-confidence by merely adopting these preventative suggestions.