Do you passionately want to eliminate your stretch marks? Well, if you follow the steps outlined in this article, you can. Regardless, of whether your stretch marks are the results of losing an excesive amount of weight, body building, pregnancy, or putting on a few extra pounds, it is possibe to drastically reduce, if not totally eliminate, those dreadful stretch marks on your body. The key to preventing and eliminating stretch marks is constantly maintaining your skin’s elasticity by infusing it with moisture. If you have not moisturized your skin the best over several years, or maybe even months, you may observed that more stretch marks are appearing. Not to worry, I will teach you how to eliminate those stretch marks. Restoring your skin back to health is not a difficult task, but it will take patience and persistance on your part. Before we tackle the topic of how to eliminate stretch marks, it is equally as important to define what stretch marks are and where they come from.
Instructions
Step 1With a little self-maintanence, you can restore your skin’s elasticity. By following the steps bellow your skin wll be tighter, brighter,and more brillant than before.
Step 1: Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day: The first step to begin eliminating stretch marks is to work from the inside out. Drinking a sufficient amount of water is critical, because it ensures your body and tissues are properly hydrated. It also removes toxins from your body.
Step 2Step 2: Consume a Healthy Diet: By eating foods rich in essential fatty acids, such as fish, and protein and citrus rich foods like fruits, nuts and vegetables, your skin will become tighter, softer, and healthier everyday.
Step 3Step 3: The Stretch Mark Eliminating Secret: Keep your skin moisturized with vitamins and essential oils. Although, there are several lotions and creams on the market, such Palmer’s and Strivectin, I would avoid these. They contain primarily artificial ingredients, alcohol, and a little bit of Cocoa Butter or Emu Oil. This is simply not enough to prevent or remove stretch marks. You need several natural oils, butters, scar-heaing ingredients, and essential oils to attack these marks. I recommend a product that is not found in stores. Beauty 4 Ashes’ Christian Health & Beauty Company makes fabulous all-natural stretch mark products at a fraction of the cost of Strivectin. Moreover, this product is far more powerful than Strivectin because it is all-natural and does not contain artificial ingredients had counteract the effectiveness of Emu Oil by drying the skin. Trust me, I have tried everything, and after 5 kids, I know what works. Beauty 4 Ashes stretch mark creams, oils, and butters contain skin-firming, collagen rebuilding, and elasticity strengthening essential oils, vitamins, and proteins. Their stretch mark products will fade your current stretch marks into oblivian and prevent any future stretch marks from forming. Plus, these creams have an added bonus, they tighten cellulite and tone the skin. Honestly, these creams are far better than anything I found in the store. These creams and oils were created to penetrate below your outer dermis and infuse areas where stretch marks are directly forming. Check the ingredients and products out for yourself. Even do research. The main ingredient in their creams are Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Jojoba oil, and stretch mark reducing essential oils. Their website address is www.discoverb4a.com.
As with all things, the best products are often the hardest to find, because they are less marketed, due to their effectiveness. Hopefully, I can save you from wasting a lot of time and money on those nasty stretch marks.
And remember, to prevent stretch marks, you need to keep your skin infused with rich nutrients, vitamins, and moisture. Do not forget to maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. Keep lotioning!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
How to Reduce Stretch Marks
Stretchmark are an inevitable result of pregnancy or rapid weight loss or weight gain for some men and women. Stretch marks are not something you suffer from physically, but many people who have them become self-conscious about their stretch marks. However, the following steps may help you reduce their appearance
Step 1Brush your skin with a loofah or skin brush when you shower to stimulate circulation.
Instructions
Step 2Massage cocoa butter into the stretch marks.
Step 3Use vitamin E oil on your stretch marks. Massage it into your skin after a shower.
Step 4Talk to your doctor about using tretinoin cream on stretch marks. It is available by prescription only.
Step 5Eat foods high in vitamins A, E and C (see Related eHows), or take supplements in addition to your diet. However, pregnant women should avoid taking more than 25,000 IU of vitamin A.
Step 6Add foods or supplements to your diet that are high in zinc (see Related eHow), which is good for the skin, and silica (beets, brown rice, bell peppers, soybeans, leafy green vegetables and whole grains), which helps form collagen, the supporting fibers in the skin.
Step 7Eat foods that contain essential fatty acids, which help make cell walls. Essential fatty acids can be found in many vegetables, vegetable oils and fish oils.
Step 1Brush your skin with a loofah or skin brush when you shower to stimulate circulation.
Instructions
Step 2Massage cocoa butter into the stretch marks.
Step 3Use vitamin E oil on your stretch marks. Massage it into your skin after a shower.
Step 4Talk to your doctor about using tretinoin cream on stretch marks. It is available by prescription only.
Step 5Eat foods high in vitamins A, E and C (see Related eHows), or take supplements in addition to your diet. However, pregnant women should avoid taking more than 25,000 IU of vitamin A.
Step 6Add foods or supplements to your diet that are high in zinc (see Related eHow), which is good for the skin, and silica (beets, brown rice, bell peppers, soybeans, leafy green vegetables and whole grains), which helps form collagen, the supporting fibers in the skin.
Step 7Eat foods that contain essential fatty acids, which help make cell walls. Essential fatty acids can be found in many vegetables, vegetable oils and fish oils.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Guide on How to Prevent and Get Rid of Them
Stretch marks are caused when skin expands in response to sudden weight gain. While skin does stretch to a certain extent, at some point - which is going to vary from person to person - when it is stretched to it's limit the inner layer of skin actually tears. In addition, there can be loss of collagen and elastin in the skin. This underlying layer of skin shows through the upper layers and looks streaked.
At first stretch marks appear as pink or purple lines. These are the result of damaged capillaries. Over time they look white. Stretch marks are the scars of the torn inner layer of skin. Stretch marks are most common on thighs, abdomen, hips, breasts and upper arms. Once stretch marks appear they are extremely difficult to get rid of.
Stretch marks often result from weight lifting or drastic weight loss, as often experience after gastric bypass or lapband surgery. Almost all pregnant women are at risk to develop stretch marks.
Stretch marks are permanent, but there are stretch mark treatments that can be used to prevent stretch marks or minimize their appearance.
Just for Kids - Teenagers can also develop stretch marks from weight loss or just rapid growth during puberty. TeensHealth put together a nice webpage that speaks directly to the special concerns of teens struggling with stretch marks.
MedicineNet.com - This site features several articles about stretch marks. All the articles are reviewed by a medical doctor. Topics include weightlifting and pregnancy as causes as well as a glossary of terms associated with stretch marks.
Will You Get Stretch Marks? - Medical News Today gives us this article listing the factors associated with pregnant women getting stretch marks. Some things are under our control, while others are not.
Stretch Mark Myths
According to AllAboutStretchMarks.com, these are the top ten myths regarding stretch marks.
1. Only pregnant women get stretch marks.
2. Only women get stretch marks.
3. Stretch marks go away once you lose the weight.
4. You can't prevent stretch marks.
5. Only plastic surgery can treat stretch marks.
6. Once you get stretch marks, you just have to live with them.
7. Stretch marks aren't worth the time to treat.
8. Stretch marks are expensive to treat.
9. Teenagers and children don't get stretch marks.
10. Insurance will pay for stretch mark treatments.
Prevent Stretch Marks
Creams and Lotions
Many lotions sold to treat stretch marks contain alpha hydoxy acid (AHA). This helps to exfoliate the topmost skin cells so that new skin cells grow in their place. These lotions provide subtle improvement gradually over time. They must be regularly used for a long period of time to get and maintain results. Look for formulations with vitamin AHA, plus vitamins A, C and E to aid in diminishing the appearance of stretch marks.
How to Choose a Stretch Mark Cream - This article at AskBaby.com provides some advice for how to choose a cream to treat stretch marks. For example, look for creams that aren't too greasy to be absorbed quickly into the skin.
Diet
Because stretch marks are caused when the skin is damaged, the healthier you can keep skin, the better chances you have at avoiding stretch marks. Eating foods rich in zinc, as well as vitamins A, C, and D, can improve skin's quality to prevent stretch marks. Nuts fish, citrus fruits, dairy products, carrots, and eggs are all skin friendly foods. Keep skin hydrated by drinking at least 8-10 glasses of water per day. Soft skin will be more supple and less prone to tearing.
Just for Weightlifters
In addition to the other measures listed here for avoiding stretch marks, body builders should take care not to gain muscle too quickly. Steady muscle growth will allow your skin to stretch slowly, decreasing your chances of developing stretch marks.
Bodybuilder's Info - TeenBodyBuilding.com has a very detailed article with excellent information for bodybuilders of all ages. Stretch marks do not have to be a part of your love of body building.
Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy - The Expectant Mother's Guide gives us a detailed plan to help pregnant women prevent getting stretch marks. They advocate the holistic approach - the more measures you take the better!
WikiHow Stretch Marks - Here's another great resource in the form of a list. This wiki provides a five step program followed by tips to keep skin smooth and stretch mark free.
Covering Stretch Marks
If you need to cover your stretch marks before treatment starts to produce results, you can get stretch mark concealer. This makeup comes in colors for all skin tones. You could use tattoo cover up well. Some people also get good results from self-tanning lotion.
In this news clip a doctor discusses laser treatment for stretch marks.
Get Rid of Stretch Marks
Laser Treatment
While using lasers to treat stretch marks is a new application, they are proven to improve skin texture when used for skin tightening on other areas of the body. Skin is numbed and then tiny holes are created in the skin to reduce the appearance and induce the skin to create new collagen. This treatment for stretch creates significant improvement in tone and texture, as well as an overall younger looking skin.
TopDocs - This article goes into detail about how laser treatments work and what you expect from laser treatment for stretch marks. There is also the ability to search by state for a doctor who can provide this service.
A physician talks about the procedure and results of abdominoplasty.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Stretch Mark lotion and crème is among the most popular. I found numerous forum posts swearing by Palmer’s for the prevention of stretch m
Dermabrasion
The appearance of skin can be improved and stretch marks made less visible with treatment by dermabrasion. In dermabrasion, the skin is frozen and then and scraped, or sanded with a special instrument. New, smoother skin grows in place of the removed upper layer.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a process where an exfoliating chemical treatment is put on the skin. Like with dermabrasion, the new skin that grows is in better condition than that it replaces.
Surgical Removal
Also know as a tummy tuck, abdominoplasty is perhaps the most drastic ways to eliminate stretch marks. The surgery achieves this by removing excess skin in the abdominal area, so if there are stretch marks, they are cut off. Of course, there are other benefits of the tummy tuck. A tummy tuck is the only way to achieve 100% removal of stretch marks.
Ask a Plastic Surgeon - Board certified plastic surgeon Michael Bermant answers questions on this site. Topics covered include treatment for stretch marks (focus on abdominoplasty), specific cases, and causes. There are also links to lots of before and after photos of tummy tuck patients. If you are considering this option, read up!
More Home Remedies For Stretch Marks
All these were found In Internet Forums that did not appear to be associated in any way with creams or medical treatment options.
* Vitamin E Oil - Apply Vitamin E oil after taking a shower. Do not wipe it off. Apply daily. If you don't shower every day, clean the stretch mark area with a wet cloth and apply. You can cover the area with band-aids or gauze (use medical tape to secure).
* Coffee - Grind coffee into a powder and mix it with hand lotion. Rub into stretch marks for about 60 seconds and wipe off with a warm towel. Apply twice daily. Results take about two weeks.
* Olive Oil - For prevention, put olive oil on all areas that could be affected by stretch marks twice a day. (Also works for wrinkle prevention.)
* Flaxseed Oil - Rub flaxseed oil on stretch marks after showering and again efore bed.
Diva's Skin Care Blog - This skin care professional tested four different stretch mark crème and compares the results. The test included women who had developed stretche marks during pregnancy, as well as because of significant weight loss. There are pictures and recommendations at the end.
All About Stretch Marks - Here is an entire website dedicated to the lowly stretch mark. While this is a great resource, keep in mind that the primary purpose of this website is to sell you the pulsed light stretch mark treatment marketed by this company under the trade name ReLume.
Natural Remedies
If you'd rather not go under the laser or knife, you can diminish the appearance of stretch marks with natural intervention. Here is a list of the best remedies that are out there.
Recipe for Homemade Stretch Mark Body Scrub:
Sugar, Olive oil, Cod liver oil, Vitamin E oil/cream, Aloe Vera gel
Mix together and work gently into skin. Exfoliating rids the skin of dead cells and stimulates blood flow.
Recipe for Homemade Stretch Mark Cream:
1/4 cup Cocoa Butter, 1 Tbsp. wheat germ oil, 1tsp. light sesame seed oil, 1tsp. Apricot kernel oil, 1tsp. Vitamin E oil, 2 tsp. grated beeswax, 1 tsp Vanilla extract (optional)
Mix together all ingredients except vanilla extract. Heat gently until the cocoa butter and beeswax have melted. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Cool completely. Store in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid. Massage into your skin.
Homemade Stretch Mark Lotion
1/2 virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup aloe vera gel, contents of 6 capsules of vitamin E, Contents of 4 capsules of vitamin A
Mix all ingredients using a blender and store the mixture in the refrigerator. For best results use daily
*You can also apply the gel of a fresh aloe vera plant directly to skin. Let it dry for several hours or overnight and rinse.
At first stretch marks appear as pink or purple lines. These are the result of damaged capillaries. Over time they look white. Stretch marks are the scars of the torn inner layer of skin. Stretch marks are most common on thighs, abdomen, hips, breasts and upper arms. Once stretch marks appear they are extremely difficult to get rid of.
Stretch marks often result from weight lifting or drastic weight loss, as often experience after gastric bypass or lapband surgery. Almost all pregnant women are at risk to develop stretch marks.
Stretch marks are permanent, but there are stretch mark treatments that can be used to prevent stretch marks or minimize their appearance.
Just for Kids - Teenagers can also develop stretch marks from weight loss or just rapid growth during puberty. TeensHealth put together a nice webpage that speaks directly to the special concerns of teens struggling with stretch marks.
MedicineNet.com - This site features several articles about stretch marks. All the articles are reviewed by a medical doctor. Topics include weightlifting and pregnancy as causes as well as a glossary of terms associated with stretch marks.
Will You Get Stretch Marks? - Medical News Today gives us this article listing the factors associated with pregnant women getting stretch marks. Some things are under our control, while others are not.
Stretch Mark Myths
According to AllAboutStretchMarks.com, these are the top ten myths regarding stretch marks.
1. Only pregnant women get stretch marks.
2. Only women get stretch marks.
3. Stretch marks go away once you lose the weight.
4. You can't prevent stretch marks.
5. Only plastic surgery can treat stretch marks.
6. Once you get stretch marks, you just have to live with them.
7. Stretch marks aren't worth the time to treat.
8. Stretch marks are expensive to treat.
9. Teenagers and children don't get stretch marks.
10. Insurance will pay for stretch mark treatments.
Prevent Stretch Marks
Creams and Lotions
Many lotions sold to treat stretch marks contain alpha hydoxy acid (AHA). This helps to exfoliate the topmost skin cells so that new skin cells grow in their place. These lotions provide subtle improvement gradually over time. They must be regularly used for a long period of time to get and maintain results. Look for formulations with vitamin AHA, plus vitamins A, C and E to aid in diminishing the appearance of stretch marks.
How to Choose a Stretch Mark Cream - This article at AskBaby.com provides some advice for how to choose a cream to treat stretch marks. For example, look for creams that aren't too greasy to be absorbed quickly into the skin.
Diet
Because stretch marks are caused when the skin is damaged, the healthier you can keep skin, the better chances you have at avoiding stretch marks. Eating foods rich in zinc, as well as vitamins A, C, and D, can improve skin's quality to prevent stretch marks. Nuts fish, citrus fruits, dairy products, carrots, and eggs are all skin friendly foods. Keep skin hydrated by drinking at least 8-10 glasses of water per day. Soft skin will be more supple and less prone to tearing.
Just for Weightlifters
In addition to the other measures listed here for avoiding stretch marks, body builders should take care not to gain muscle too quickly. Steady muscle growth will allow your skin to stretch slowly, decreasing your chances of developing stretch marks.
Bodybuilder's Info - TeenBodyBuilding.com has a very detailed article with excellent information for bodybuilders of all ages. Stretch marks do not have to be a part of your love of body building.
Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy - The Expectant Mother's Guide gives us a detailed plan to help pregnant women prevent getting stretch marks. They advocate the holistic approach - the more measures you take the better!
WikiHow Stretch Marks - Here's another great resource in the form of a list. This wiki provides a five step program followed by tips to keep skin smooth and stretch mark free.
Covering Stretch Marks
If you need to cover your stretch marks before treatment starts to produce results, you can get stretch mark concealer. This makeup comes in colors for all skin tones. You could use tattoo cover up well. Some people also get good results from self-tanning lotion.
In this news clip a doctor discusses laser treatment for stretch marks.
Get Rid of Stretch Marks
Laser Treatment
While using lasers to treat stretch marks is a new application, they are proven to improve skin texture when used for skin tightening on other areas of the body. Skin is numbed and then tiny holes are created in the skin to reduce the appearance and induce the skin to create new collagen. This treatment for stretch creates significant improvement in tone and texture, as well as an overall younger looking skin.
TopDocs - This article goes into detail about how laser treatments work and what you expect from laser treatment for stretch marks. There is also the ability to search by state for a doctor who can provide this service.
A physician talks about the procedure and results of abdominoplasty.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Stretch Mark lotion and crème is among the most popular. I found numerous forum posts swearing by Palmer’s for the prevention of stretch m
Dermabrasion
The appearance of skin can be improved and stretch marks made less visible with treatment by dermabrasion. In dermabrasion, the skin is frozen and then and scraped, or sanded with a special instrument. New, smoother skin grows in place of the removed upper layer.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a process where an exfoliating chemical treatment is put on the skin. Like with dermabrasion, the new skin that grows is in better condition than that it replaces.
Surgical Removal
Also know as a tummy tuck, abdominoplasty is perhaps the most drastic ways to eliminate stretch marks. The surgery achieves this by removing excess skin in the abdominal area, so if there are stretch marks, they are cut off. Of course, there are other benefits of the tummy tuck. A tummy tuck is the only way to achieve 100% removal of stretch marks.
Ask a Plastic Surgeon - Board certified plastic surgeon Michael Bermant answers questions on this site. Topics covered include treatment for stretch marks (focus on abdominoplasty), specific cases, and causes. There are also links to lots of before and after photos of tummy tuck patients. If you are considering this option, read up!
More Home Remedies For Stretch Marks
All these were found In Internet Forums that did not appear to be associated in any way with creams or medical treatment options.
* Vitamin E Oil - Apply Vitamin E oil after taking a shower. Do not wipe it off. Apply daily. If you don't shower every day, clean the stretch mark area with a wet cloth and apply. You can cover the area with band-aids or gauze (use medical tape to secure).
* Coffee - Grind coffee into a powder and mix it with hand lotion. Rub into stretch marks for about 60 seconds and wipe off with a warm towel. Apply twice daily. Results take about two weeks.
* Olive Oil - For prevention, put olive oil on all areas that could be affected by stretch marks twice a day. (Also works for wrinkle prevention.)
* Flaxseed Oil - Rub flaxseed oil on stretch marks after showering and again efore bed.
Diva's Skin Care Blog - This skin care professional tested four different stretch mark crème and compares the results. The test included women who had developed stretche marks during pregnancy, as well as because of significant weight loss. There are pictures and recommendations at the end.
All About Stretch Marks - Here is an entire website dedicated to the lowly stretch mark. While this is a great resource, keep in mind that the primary purpose of this website is to sell you the pulsed light stretch mark treatment marketed by this company under the trade name ReLume.
Natural Remedies
If you'd rather not go under the laser or knife, you can diminish the appearance of stretch marks with natural intervention. Here is a list of the best remedies that are out there.
Recipe for Homemade Stretch Mark Body Scrub:
Sugar, Olive oil, Cod liver oil, Vitamin E oil/cream, Aloe Vera gel
Mix together and work gently into skin. Exfoliating rids the skin of dead cells and stimulates blood flow.
Recipe for Homemade Stretch Mark Cream:
1/4 cup Cocoa Butter, 1 Tbsp. wheat germ oil, 1tsp. light sesame seed oil, 1tsp. Apricot kernel oil, 1tsp. Vitamin E oil, 2 tsp. grated beeswax, 1 tsp Vanilla extract (optional)
Mix together all ingredients except vanilla extract. Heat gently until the cocoa butter and beeswax have melted. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Cool completely. Store in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid. Massage into your skin.
Homemade Stretch Mark Lotion
1/2 virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup aloe vera gel, contents of 6 capsules of vitamin E, Contents of 4 capsules of vitamin A
Mix all ingredients using a blender and store the mixture in the refrigerator. For best results use daily
*You can also apply the gel of a fresh aloe vera plant directly to skin. Let it dry for several hours or overnight and rinse.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)