If you’re worried about the appearance of stretch marks while trying to shed pounds, consult a board-certified dermatologist for in-office procedures that can reduce their visibility and make them less noticeable.
If you’ve recently shed a lot of weight, stretch marks may be on your mind. They can cause insecurity about yourself and even lead to depression.
Stretch marks are visible when your skin’s elasticity is damaged, appearing as red or purple marks that resemble wavy lines or stripes.
How to Prevent Stretch Marks While Losing Weight
A Healthy Diet
Maintaining a nutritious diet is an effective way to keep your skin looking young and vibrant. Eating foods rich in proteins, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin E will encourage the production of collagen within the body which helps keep skin elastic and youthful.
Skin is the last organ to receive essential nutrients, so supplementing it with antioxidants and vitamins can be highly effective in preventing stretch marks. To boost your body’s ability to create more collagen, eat plenty of foods rich in these essential compounds such as fruits and vegetables.
Another essential nutrient to include in your diet is vitamin D. Studies have linked lower levels of this essential nutrient with an increased risk for stretch marks, so make sure you get enough from food or sunshine exposure.
Additionally, drinking plenty of water throughout the day is essential to avoid stretch marks as dry skin increases their likelihood. Avoid caffeine-based beverages which could dehydrate you further.
Exercise
When trying to shed pounds, two essential elements for success are a nutritious diet and proper hydration. Eating the right things helps you burn off fat, build muscle, and promotes skin health at the same time.
Exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy weight and skin elasticity. Exercising increases circulation, encourages muscle growth, and improves skin elasticity as well as tone.
Additionally, water helps you stay hydrated and helps your body absorb more vitamins and nutrients, making it easier to achieve the results desired.
Dieting can reduce your likelihood of developing stretch marks. Eating more foods high in zinc, Vitamin C and protein will encourage collagen production within your body and keep skin supple and elastic.
Additionally, avoid taking drugs that cause sudden physical changes such as hormones or corticosteroids. These can accelerate the rate at which new muscles form and tear at your skin’s underlying layer, increasing your likelihood of getting stretch marks.
Moisturize
Stretch marks cannot be completely eradicated, but by keeping your skin moisturized you may be able to reduce their appearance.
Moisturizers are designed with a combination of ingredients that hydrate skin and provide it with antioxidants. Look for ones that claim they’re free of retinoid or paraben, as well as ones made with noncomedogenic (non-pore clogging) substances.
Petrolatum is another essential ingredient, helping to prevent water evaporation from the skin. Other common occlusives include fatty alcohols, lanolin, lecithin, mineral oil and dimethicone.
You can also try using a retinoid-based formula like prescription tretinoin, which stimulates collagen production and reduces the appearance of stretch marks. Be mindful that this treatment may be drying so only use it when you feel its effects and follow with a thick moisturizer afterwards.
Starting out, apply twice a week for three to six months; before long your stretch marks will be much less visible!
Vitamins
Certain nutrients may play a role in your skin’s ability to stretch and tear, such as vitamins C and E. These antioxidants promote collagen production within the skin which may reduce the formation of stretch marks.
Vitamin D is essential for skin health, helping regulate natural oil glands in your body. Studies suggest that having a healthy level of vitamin D could potentially reduce your chances of developing stretch marks.
Retinol, an ingredient found in some over-the-counter anti-aging skin care products, may help improve the appearance of stretch marks. However, these should only be used under medical guidance and supervision.
Zinc is another essential nutrient for healthy skin, helping to reduce inflammation and speed wound healing. Zinc can be found in nuts, fish, and other foods like nuts or fish oils.
Do Red Stretch Marks Mean Weight Loss?
Red stretch marks are breaks or lesions caused when your skin stretches rapidly to keep up with underlying growth. While not harmful or permanent, some people may choose to treat them in order to reduce their visibility.
Stretch marks can appear anywhere on your body, but the most common places are your abdomen, thighs, hips and buttocks. New stretch marks appear slightly raised with a bright red color but fade to lighter pink or white over time.
Red Stretch Marks
Rapid weight gain or fat accumulation is usually responsible for red stretch marks, though they can also be caused by pubescent growth spurts, pregnancy or other influences like Cushing syndrome. Women tend to be more prone to getting them than men.
Treatment of Red Stretch Marks
Topical treatments like retinoid cream or other topicals may reduce the redness and inflammation caused by your red stretch marks. Laser therapy may also provide some relief.
These treatments may be available in doctor’s offices, though they may not be suitable for everyone.
Eat healthily, exercise regularly and try not to gain or lose too much weight quickly.
Use an at-home moisturizer that contains ultra-moisturizing ingredients like cocoa butter, coconut oil or olive oil for maximum hydration.
Massaging your skin with these products in circular motions can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks.
If you experience red stretch marks, at-home remedies such as massaging them with Vaseline in circular motions can help promote collagen growth. You could also try using a body lotion or makeup with glycolic acid to reduce their appearance.
Conclusion
Losing weight not only boosts your self-confidence and lowers diabetes risks, but it may also cause some skin issues – one of them being stretch marks.
When trying to shed pounds, the first step in avoiding stretch marks is avoiding abrupt changes to your eating and exercise regimen. Excess weight can cause scarring and tearing of the skin, which could result in visible stretch marks.
Furthermore, you should limit the amount of muscle mass you gain as you lose weight. Muscle is a type of connective tissue that helps hold skin in place and provide support when exercising or moving around.
Exfoliating your skin with a gentle scrub can help remove dead cells that may cause stretch marks to appear. A diet rich in vitamin E also plays a role by encouraging skin regeneration and collagen production, helping to prevent them from forming.
