If you’re noticing changes in your skin due to pregnancy or weight loss, you’ll definitely want to know more about stretch marks, and how you can prevent or get rid of them. There are a number of reasons why stretch marks form on the body, but there are several things that you can do in order to get your skin back to its normal healthy condition.

One of the things that you should know about stretch marks is that pregnant women are not the only people that are affected by them. In some instances, male and female teenagers will develop stretch marks during puberty, since the body is going through changes that may cause the adolescent to gain weight.

Girls may notice small stretch marks on the breast area, since this part of the body is growing, and the skin will have to stretch farther than normal. Boys may also notice stretch marks in the chest area during puberty, especially if they have started to work out to participate in sports. Excessive weight lifting can also cause stretch marks in people of all ages, so if you see that your body is starting to develop these blemishes, reduce the weight that you are lifting.

Another thing you should know about stretch marks is that stretch mark removal can be difficult if the problem is not treated early. No matter your age, if you notice that stretch marks are forming on your body, you should come up with solutions right away. If you’re not able to make an appointment with the doctor soon, you should start moisturizing the parts of the body that are affected by stretch marks with vitamin E or cocoa butter every day. This will help the skin to gain more elasticity, and will protect it from further blemishes.

You should also keep the body hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water or fluid every day. Eating a diet that is rich in antioxidants is also ideal for people of all ages that are learning about stretch marks; this helps to keep hormones in check, and improves the overall quality of the skin. You may also want to try drinking aloe juice, which is available at most health food stores.

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About Stretch Marks

Most people, especially women, develop stretch marks sooner or later.  My first experience of stretch marks was after I had my eldest child and I was horrified to see that my nice flat smooth tummy was no more and was now lined, ‘lumpy’ and ugly and did nothing to ease the post natal depression from which I was suffering.

I had two more children in fairly quick succession and although I returned to my previous weight and had relatively the same shape, the stretch marks were there in all their glory and had also appeared on my inner thighs.

I decided that there wasn’t much I could do about it and then discovered there were plenty of things I could try.  Having three small children and a home to run meant there was very little time to spend on myself and even less money.

Exercise is important (and I got plenty of that) and a healthy diet is too, as it promotes healthy skin, and it doesn’t have to be expensive.  I discovered that foods rich in zinc, such as fish; high protein foods, such as eggs; and foods rich in vitamins A and C such as carrots, citrus fruits and milk were very beneficial.  I tried to cut down on my intake of caffeine, drank plenty of water – more water than coffee – and I can’t tell you how much better I felt in myself after a relatively short time.

There are also lots of creams on the market, which help diminish the appearance of stretch marks and some of these are very effective.

In severe cases, surgery may be recommended, but this, of course, would have to be arranged and carried out by a surgeon.

Stretch marks do not only appear during and after pregnancy and are not confined to women.  They can be found on the upper arms, hips and lower back.  They also appear in people who are overweight, have lost weight, or in very muscular people whose skin is stretched.

We have three layers of skin and stretch marks occur in the middle layer, which, when stretched, loses its elasticity and breaks down, leaving stretch marks.

Basically anything which causes stress in the body, or changes shape, can result in stretch marks which start off being a purple/pinkish or colour and then, in time, change to white/silver.

However, with a bit of t l c and a healthy diet, they will disappear and we won’t have to worry about the colour!

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Avoid Stretch Marks After Childbirth

Stretch marks are unsightly scarring of the lower layers of the skin, which often appear in times of rapid or radical weight loss or gain.  One perfect example is during pregnancy; statistics tell us that up to 90% of women will sustain stretch marks during pregnancy, with the vast majority appearing during the last trimester.  Getting rid of stretch marks is not easy, but if you take a sensible full body approach and accept that going to take time and you would chance of being able to vastly reduce the visual impact of your stretch marks.

There are many topical stretch mark creams and lotions available without prescription, and some of the most popular contain ingredients such as Revitol, (which is a derivative of vitamin A), along with vitamins D and E. Vitamin A is extremely important in maintaining healthy hair, skin and eye function; in a decent balanced diet you will get enough vitamin A, although if you are vegetarian you need to carefully seek out your sources, as most vitamin A is found in meats such as liver. For vitamin D, dairy products are an excellent source, along with sunshine – try to get out into the sun for a walk for a few minutes every day.  This may not be easy in the UK, where the sun rarely seems to shine, but the good news is that you can still get your fix of vitamin D when it’s cloudy.

Oily fish and shellfish are also extremely good for the skin as they contain omega-3 oils and zinc.  Even if you already have stretch marks, eating a healthy diet will speed up the skin repair and also the skin’s appearance.  Body brushing and regular exfoliating stimulate the skin to produce healthy new cells, and moisturising regularly is an absolute must, with lotions containing cocoa butter proving to be helpful and leaving the skin feeling smooth and sleek.  Cocoa butter also smells wonderful!

The most radical option for stretch mark removal is surgery, with procedures such as tummy tucks being popular among those lucky enough to be able to afford them.  It may take several weeks after surgery for any improvement to be visible, until postoperative swelling and bruising disappears, and even then there are no firm guarantees of success.  Laser surgery is also popular, is less invasive and shows results quicker.

In my opinion, the best way to deal with removing stretch marks is the holistic approach; eat healthily, sleep well, minimise stress, avoid alcohol and do regular exercise, including Pilates. Combine that with a structured body care routine and regular application of one of the topical remedies, and in time the stretch marks should fade away and your whole body will be toned, tightened and a pleasure to look at.

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Stretch Mark Creams

Stretch marks occur when the lower levels of the skin become damaged and tear causing lines of red or purple marks, which fade as time passes to white scarring . As with all scars, this causes a pockmarked effect on the skin which is quite embarrassing, and most people with stretch marks hide them away far from the light of day.  Nobody knows whether or not they will get stretch marks, although the vast majority of women will at some time in their lives suffer from them.  Stretch mark prevention is obviously better than cure, but how can you prevent something if you don’t know whether you’re going to suffer from it or not?

Stretch marks tend to occur at times of hormonal imbalance, such as pregnancy. In this case, they usually form around the abdomen where the skin is being put under a lot of pressure by the growing foetus. The hormones that rage throughout the body for the full gestation period also increase the likelihood of skin damage.

There are certain things you can do to increase the possibility of avoiding stretch marks, and most of these class as common sense.  The skin is the largest organ in the body and is affected by everything you do and everything you eat and drink. If you do not drink enough water, your skin will suffer and become dry and flaky; a lot of people wonder about how much water they should be drinking. I have found the best way of guarding against dehydration is to keep an eye on the colour of your urine. If urine is colourless or very pale, that’s proof you’re drinking enough; any darker in color than that and you need to drink more.

If your urine is very dark in colour and has a strong smell, then you may be dehydrated and water alone may not be enough to rehydrate you. In this case you should add some of the special rehydration mixture that is produced for athletes, which contains the correct proportions of electrolytes that your body needs.  Becoming severely dehydrated is dangerous as it can cause collapse and the shutting down of your internal organs. It is a good idea to always keep water handy and sip regularly throughout the day.  Tea and coffee count too, but too much coffee should be avoided as caffeine can cause dehydration and can also add to the dryness of skin.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables and moderate amounts of lean protein will radically improve the health of your skin and assist you in your quest to prevent stretch marks.  You should avoid junk and processed foods, and aim to eat a rainbow of colours in fruit and vegetables every day.  This way, your whole body will be nourished and  your skin will be healthy, glowing and supple – and you will be much less likely to suffer from stretch marks.

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Stretch Mark Help – Keep Hydrated

The skin is the largest organ of the human body, accounting for about 16% of the total body weight, with an area of about two square metres. The thickness varies from 0.05mm on the eyelids to 1.5mm or more on the soles of the feet. It performs many vital roles in protecting and regulating the influence of the outside environment on the internal organs and systems.

Temperature control is one of these, governed by varying blood flow, the activity of the sweat glands, and the density of the subcutaneous fat layer. Others include the transmission of information to the brain through the nervous system, manufacture of vitamin D from the action of sunlight on the skin, and perhaps most obviously, providing a barrier against possible damage from alien organisms.

Alongside all of this, our skin is, as it were, our public face, reflecting our lifestyle and history, leading to assumptions about our personalities by others, and therefore having an enormous emotional impact on ourselves. Every society makes these judgements, but contemporary western society has the time, money, and communication resources to do it to an unusual degree.

Gaining a perfect year round tan, getting rid of stretch marks, saying goodbye to dandruff or spots; all of these issues are answered with a deluge of advertising, magazine articles, and in their more extreme forms, television programmes. Though the concerns may not seem life-threatening, the degree of unhappiness caused by these perceived physical failings can be very real.

The effect of pregnancy on the skin is a common cause for concern, with three main areas affected. Increased oestrogen affects the veins; melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) causes an increase in pigmentation on the nipples and existing moles, and the growth of the breasts and abdomen cause stretch marks on the skin in these areas.

This last problem is one which remains after pregnancy. As hormone levels return to pre-pregnancy levels, the associated hair growth, fluid retention and darkening of the skin all disappear too. But the damaged epidermis is a less reversible condition, and getting rid of stretch marks or striae gravidarum is not so simple.

Amongst the recommendations for helping the healing process are creams commonly containing aloe vera, vitamins including A and E, collagen and cocoa butter, with constant research leading to new products appearing regularly on the market. Similarly, new treatments are being added at the more extreme end of the market, with laser treatment, surgery, and the less invasive but comparatively untested ozone bath.

Being able to remove stretch marks completely is a claim made by few products, though acting whilst the damage is still fresh  in the red or purple stage  is important in having a dramatic effect. A lifestyle of healthy diet and exercise, however, is likely to improve general skin texture, including the noticeability of stretch marks.

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Remove Stretch Marks – Recommendations

Most of us are familiar with stretch marks: the silvery white scar lines that appear on our skin after a period of rapid growth, pregnancy, or weight gain. If your skin stretched during pregnancy, you might view these as glorious battle scars, but many people feel less than positive about them and welcome suggestions as to how to lessen or remove stretch marks.

Alongside a bundle of mixed advice and gossip concerning stretch marks are the facts: perhaps 90% of pregnancies leave some skin damage, along with normal growth spurts, weight gain, and intentional muscle development. It’s unusual for stretch marks to be an indication of anything more serious, though prolonged use of some medicines, particularly steroids, can have this side effect.

Scars caused by the sudden growth of pregnancy are, of course, most noticeable on the stomach, though both pregnant women and adolescent girls can discover them on their breasts and thighs. Young men tend to develop them on their broadening shoulders and backs.

Stretch marks (or “striae” as they are called by the medical profession) on the surface of the skin are merely the evidence of damage deeper in the tissue. The initial redness of the stretch marks indicates broken vessels in the dermis, and as they heal, so the colour of the scars fades. The texture of the skin may also be changed: smoother, and raised or indented.

Massage, exercise, and the application of various creams are widely discussed and recommended, particularly during pregnancy, as effective preventative measures against stretch marks. Nevertheless, rapid stretching of the skin cannot be avoided in every case, and remedies to remove stretch marks continue to be sought.

A flourishing industry has developed researching the causes and cures of the scarring. Over-the-counter creams to remove stretch marks are available in every price bracket, with cocoa butter and vitamins A and E favoured ingredients. Collagen and tretinoin have been found to be particularly effective in healing the dermis, and therefore producing comparatively dramatic results on new marks.

Finally there are the more drastic alternatives: laser treatment and surgery. Laser therapy can seal the broken blood vessels, speed the contraction of the tissue, or remove the scarred surface skin. In surgery, the damaged skin is removed completely, most commonly in a “tummy tuck” operation.

For most of us, the ideal of flawless skin may never be more than an ideal, but there is evidently much that can be done to improve damaged skin. Much research has been put into stretch mark removal, and there are several effective preparations that you can get over the counter or through the internet that will do a great job of hiding your stretch marks.

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Getting Rid Of Stretch Marks

Lots of people think that they will get stretch marks from gaining weight; what they don’t seem to realise is that stretch marks can also be a problem if you lose weight rapidly. If your skin is used to being stretched and has lost its elasticity, then if you lose a lot of weight over a short period of time, stretch marks can appear.

There are various medical names given to stretch marks but, most commonly, doctors refer to them as striae. Stretch marks (or striae) start life as thin streaks (usually a red or purple color) and they then change, over a period of time, to look like silvery lines. They also have a different texture to normal skin.

Stretch marks are formed when the middle layer of the skin (the dermis) stretches and tears and are more likely to appear where the body stores most of its fat. The main places you will see stretch marks are on the stomach (particularly around the belly button), the tops of the arms, thighs, bottom and hips.

If stretch marks suddenly appear, for no apparent reason, it may be wise for you to consult a health professional. Although very rare, they may indicate the presence of a medical condition known as Cushings syndrome and you should consult your doctor regarding appropriate diagnosis.

One of the main areas where stretch marks appear is below the navel (or tummy button) and, although this may seem to be a drastic solution, these may be permanently removed through a cosmetic surgery procedure known as a tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty to give the process its full medical name).

The majority of women who become pregnant will develop stretch marks (usually during the last two or three months of pregnancy) as their skin stretches. However, its important to remember that diet can help control the appearance of these marks just because you are pregnant does not mean that you should eat for two.

Rather than spend a lot of money on creams, lotions or even cosmetic surgery on stretch mark removal why not try some simple remedies which will help your skin. If you massage your skin daily using a moisturizer (or why not try a massage glove), it can help improve your circulation and will encourage new tissue to grow.

If you keep your body healthy, you are giving your skin a better chance of reducing the appearance of Stretch Marks. A healthy, well-hydrated skin can work wonders in lessening the impact of stretch marks. Ensure that you drink plenty of water and that you have a balanced diet.

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How Do We Go About Getting Rid Of Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks look awful and everybody who has them hates them, including me, and we are all prepared to go to great lengths for stretch mark removal. Stretch marks start off as unsightly red or purple marks which eventually fade to white scars. Women normally get them around the hip and lower abdominal area and sometimes on the legs and buttocks, while men suffer from stretch marks on the shoulders, chest and back. In rare cases stretch marks have actually appeared on peoples faces, which has done nothing for their self-confidence!

According to the experts, stretch marks can happen to anybody and are common in times of speedy growth. This means teenagers who are in the process of sprouting up rapidly (especially boys) can get these unattractive marks, and between 75 and 90% of pregnant women will also get them. Stretch marks also commonly afflict people who lose or gain weight very quickly, and weightlifters and manic gym goers who like to pump heavy weights are also at risk.

There are a number of remedies available for stretch mark removal, depending on how bad your problem is, how much you want rid of your stretch marks and how deep your pockets are! Creams and lotions are the most wallet-friendly options, with the most expensive being a surgical operation or laser therapy. Surgery is not an option to be taken lightly and is not suitable for everyone, but can give impressive, permanent results although there is obviously going to be quite a lot of swelling and postoperative discomfort. Laser therapy is less invasive and usually only gives mild discomfort and slight redness of the skin.

Stretch marks do not hurt when they appear, although they can make your skin feel a little tight and itchy – a common problem during pregnancy, as your entire body goes haywire getting ready for your baby. Stretch marks that appear with no warning should always be checked out by your doctor as there is a slight chance that you may have developed a disease called Cushing’s syndrome, where your endocrine system produces too much of a natural steroid, damaging the lower levels of skin and causing the tell-tale lines of stretch marks to appear.

Cushings syndrome happens when the adrenal glands within the body produce too much cortisol, a hormone that helps to regulate blood pressure and the immune system among other things. Too much cortisol causes problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and the thinning of the skin as well as allowing damage to occur within the dermis, thus causing stretch marks. Cushing’s disease must be ruled out before any stretch mark removal is undertaken, as serious side effects could result. The good news is that Cushing’s disease is rare, and it is most unlikely that your stretch marks are a symptom of this problem.

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Stretch Mark Removal – Remedies and Cures

Stretch marks, taken literally, does not actually mean that the skin has stretched; these tell-tale red or violet marks that appear on certain areas of the body and eventually fade to white are signs of the deeper skin levels tearing, with the damage being visible to the naked eye.

Much time has been spent and much research has been done on how to remove stretch marks, with some remedies being more successful than others, and it is true to say that the majority of women will sustain stretch marks at some time during their life, whether stretch marks appear in adolescence or in pregnancy; and just under half of all young men in their teens will also get them.

Stretch marks tend to appear in different areas of men or women; common sites for women being around the abdominal area with the upper legs, buttocks and hips often being affected also, whereas stretch marks on males usually occur on the upper torso or arms and can be caused by growth spurts, muscle bulking due to weight training, or the use of steroids.

Both sexes are usually keen to find a product that will remove stretch marks, the Latin name of which is striae distensae, even though they are largely harmless, as they spoil the appearance of the skin, causing lack of confidence and frequent embarrassment in both men and women.

Stretch marks occur when excessive levels of glucocorticoid hormones are produced within the body, preventing the supportive elastin and collagen layers from doing their job of repairing and protecting the dermis (lower levels of skin).

If insufficient collagen and elastin are produced, the skin levels below the surface, known as the dermis, are likely to tear; and to make things worse top layer of skin becomes thinner making the damage visible and the skin appear to have an unsightly rippled effect.

Stretch marks are most likely to occur in adolescence and pregnancy, but the hormones that cause the damage can also be produced by being obese, yo-yo dieting and by a disorder called Cushing’s disease; the presence of this latter medical condition must be ruled out by a doctor before undertaking any treatment to remove stretch marks.

It can be difficult to remove stretch marks as they are not actually there on the surface of the skin but underneath; however there are many creams and lotions on the market that will vastly improve the appearance of these marks, and laser therapy and plastic surgery techniques have also been proved to be useful in the removal of stretch marks.

Posted by: Healthy Woman Blog

Is It Possible To Remove Stretch Marks?

Do you suffer from stretch marks? Do you have the unsightly red or white lines and puckering of stretch marks on your stomach or hips or thighs?  Maybe even on your butt!

Well, you are not alone.  Between 75 and 90% of women will suffer from stretch marks during their lifetime, especially during times of growth such as pregnancy. Anything that causes rapid weight gain or excessive weight loss can cause stretch marks to appear, making sufferers unwilling to wear shorts or a bikini due to the appearance of these embarrassing marks.

So what can you do?  Is there any hope of your skin or will you have to cover up with layers of clothing for the rest of your life?

No, you won’t! Now, there’s Revitol – an amazing cream that can prevent, reduce or even erase the tell-tale signs of Stretch Marks!

Stretch marks appear when the deeper levels of your skin get thin and tear.  This is usually down to hormones within your body called glucocorticoids being produced, which prevent your lower layers of skin from protecting themselves.  This mostly happens at times of high hormone production such as during pregnancy or in puberty.  To start with, stretch marks are purple or red; as the skin underneath heals, the marks turn white but are still visible as they are literally layers of scar tissue.

Don’t despair, there’s hope with Revitol Stretch Mark Cream!

Although the damage caused by stretch marks to the skin is permanent, their appearance can be dramatically improved by the use of products that contain Retinol, which is a source of Vitamin A and is available without prescription. Retinol stimulates the skin’s self-healing mechanisms to produce more collagen to heal itself thus reducing the unsightly appearance of stretch marks and making your skin look smoother and younger.

Revitol Stretch Mark Cream has 100% natural ingredients

It not only contains Retinol, but also Aloe Vera, grapefruit seed extract, squalene oil and Vitamins A, E and D3. Together they form a power-packed blend to stimulate the production of new skin cells, boost the immune system and increase the elasticity and youthful appearance of your skin!

Why let Stretch Marks spoil your life? See what Revitol Stretch Mark Cream can do for YOU:

• Helps prevent stretch marks if used in early pregnancy
• Decreases the appearance of existing stretch marks
• Promotes healthy skin
• Increases production of collagen in the skin
• Increases the elasticity and strength of the skin
• Helps keep skin healthy and firm
• Is easy to apply and easy to order

One bottle of Revitol Stretch Mark Cream costs just $39.95.  However, you can make a brilliant saving if you buy 4 bottles for the low price of $159.95 as you get 2 bottles free.  Yes, completely free! And there’s a 90- day return policy if you don’t see visible results, so you can’t lose!

Why spend the rest of your life covered up? Click on the link NOW and see those ugly stretch marks melt away with Revitol!

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Banish Those Unsightly Stretch Marks Forever