How To Prevent Stretch Marks -10 Best Ways

Data suggests that around 90% of pregnant women, 70% of adolescent females, and 40% of adolescent males (those who actively participate in sports) develop stretch marks (1).

Stretch marks are formed when your skin is stretched beyond its limits. While there is no way to escape them, there are ways to make your skin resilient to prevent stretch marks or reduce their intensity. This article discusses ways to help prevent stretch marks and reduce their appearance.

How To Prevent Stretch Marks: 10 Tips To Follow

You can develop stretch marks at any point in your life. If you are at risk of developing stretch marks (we have discussed the risk factors later in the article), here are a few things you can do to reduce the risk:

1. Moisturize Your Skin

Proper moisturization improves the elasticity of your skin. It is assumed that moisturization may help reduce the impact of stretch marks and even prevent them.

A study done on pregnant women found that the application of moisturizers reduced the severity of the stretch marks. The study noted that moisturizers (like oils and vitamin E) were used in the ointment. The ingredients may or may not have any add-on effects (2).

2. Up Your Intake of Vitamin D

A study found that low levels of vitamin D in human serum increased the risk of developing stretch marks (3). However, the study is inconclusive, and more research is needed in this regard.

You may try to include more vitamin D-rich foods in your diet. Make sure you consult a doctor.

3. Manage Your Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is key to prevent stretch marks. When you gain weight quickly, your skin is stretched rapidly, and this often causes stretch marks. You may also notice stretch marks after you lose weight quickly. Bodybuilders, adolescents experiencing a growth spurt, and pregnant women may experience quick weight gain and loss.

If you want to prevent stretch marks, it is crucial that you gain or lose weight gradually (if you are trying to gain or lose weight), giving your skin a chance to recover. Also, if you are pregnant, try to maintain a healthy weight. Consult a doctor to understand the ideal weight for you.

4. Drink Plenty Of Water

Staying hydrated is crucial to reduce your risk of developing stretch marks. On average, you need close to 2 liters (64 fluid ounces) of water. This measurement may vary depending on the hydration needs of your body. If you are pregnant, consult a doctor to know the right amount of water intake for you.

5. Avoid Corticosteroids

Corticosteroid use and abuse (oral and topical) are linked to stretch marks (2). Bodybuilders often take steroids to expand tissues and build muscles, which may stretch the skin and leave marks.

Corticosteroids are used for health conditions, such as asthma, eczema, Crohn’s disease, colitis, etc. If you are taking corticosteroids, consult your doctor for ways to prevent stretch marks.

6. Follow A Balanced Diet

It has multifaceted benefits. Following a healthy diet can help you maintain your weight. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables (containing high water content) helps to maintain the hydration levels in your body. Moreover, the nutrients and vitamins in foods can help keep your skin healthy. All these factors may help in preventing stretch marks.

7. Exercise Regularly

Staying active helps you maintain healthy body weight. Also, exercising under the supervision of an instructor can help you build muscle strength gradually, without stressing your skin. This may help prevent stretch marks.

8. Use Sunscreen

Sun rays can damage the collagen fibers in your skin (4). Collagen supplements (along with elastin) keeps the skin tight and elastic. While using sunscreen may not improve the appearance of stretch marks, it can protect your skin from UV rays and prevent further risk of developing stretch marks.

9. Avoid Smoking

Exposure to tobacco smoke causes elastin breakdown (5). Smoking can deteriorate lung function and affect skin elasticity. It also makes you prone to developing stretch marks.

10. Treat Early Stretch Marks

Fresh stretch marks (or red stretch marks) are easier to treat than old or white stretch marks. Prompt action may not make them vanish but can reduce their appearance to a great extent.

These are the preventive measures you can take. However, if you develop stretch marks, treating them in the early stages can improve their appearance. Here are the treatment options you can consider.

Treatments To Reduce The Appearance Of Stretch Marks

1. Laser Therapy

Several studies found that laser therapy could help improve the appearance of stretch marks. A non-ablative1540-nm fractional laser was found to improve the appearance of stretch marks by 1% to 24%. A 1064-nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser was found to be beneficial in improving red stretch marks (2).

2. Microneedling

Microneedling is another effective way of improving the appearance of early and late stretch marks (6). A study showed that microneedling with topical ascorbic acid (vitamin C) could help in improving the appearance of stretch marks, and 85.8% of the patients studied were satisfied or very satisfied with the results (7).

3. PRP Injections

According to a study, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections were effective in improving the appearance of stretch marks (8). The plasma is derived from the blood of the patient and triggers healing (by boosting collagen and elastin production) in the target area.

4. Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion involves removing the top layer of your skin with a small handheld device. This helps to renew skin texture and tone. Studies have found that microdermabrasion could help improve the appearance of stretch marks (2).

5. Retinoid Ointments (Tretinoin)

Tretinoin is beneficial in improving the appearance of early stretch marks. In a randomized, open trial, researchers found that 0.05% tretinoin cream helped reduce the severity of the red stretch marks (2).

6. Glycolic Acid

This alpha hydroxy acid can be beneficial in improving the appearance of stretch marks when used in a higher percentage. A study found that 70% glycolic acid improved the appearance of stretch marks after six months of continuous use (9).

These tips can help prevent stretch marks. They also help prevent early stretch marks from turning severe. While all of us can develop stretch marks, there are a few among us who are more likely to develop them. Being aware of the risk factors can help you stay prepared.

Stretch Marks: Pregnancy And Other Risk Factors

Factors that make you vulnerable to stretch marks are:

1. Pregnancy

This is the most common factor that makes a woman vulnerable to stretch marks. When you are pregnant, not only your body but your skin tissues also undergo changes. As your body starts to make room for the growing fetus, you develop stretch marks.

Usually, stretch marks start appearing during the sixth and seventh months of pregnancy, and 50% to 90% of pregnant women develop them (10). These marks may appear on the abdomen, thighs, and breasts.

2. Genetics

If you have a family history of stretch marks, it is likely that you will develop them too.

3. Quick Weight Loss/Gain

If you tend to gain or lose weight quickly, the constant stretching and tugging can give rise to stretch marks. If you are overweight and trying to lose weight, or you are underweight and trying to gain weight, do it gradually.

4. Steroid Medications

Using corticosteroids for a long time can cause the development of stretch marks. Steroid medicines lower the collagen levels in your skin. As a result, your skin may not be able to stretch itself, and you develop stretch marks (11).

5. Breast Augmentation

If you have undergone surgery or are taking pills to increase the size of your breasts, you may develop stretch marks as your skin has to stretch itself to accommodate the fat transfer or implants.

6. Health Conditions

Some health conditions like Marfan Syndrome and Cushing’s Disease can also cause stretch marks (12), (13).

Stretch marks usually fade on their own or become less noticeable with time. It depends on the rate at which your skin recovers.

Most of us are not comfortable flaunting our stretch marks and prefer hiding them. These lines are a reminder of how our body has grown and changed throughout our lives. Be comfortable in your own skin and appreciate the struggle it has gone through. Talk to a doctor to identify the method best suited for your case.

Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

Can you prevent stretch marks during pregnancy?

It depends on how you take care of your skin and how it responds. Stretch marks are inevitable, but they may become less noticeable with proper care and treatment.

Can coconut oil prevent stretch marks?

Coconut oil can keep the skin moisturized and improve its elasticity so that even if it stretches, the marks are less apparent. However, it cannot prevent stretch marks.

What is the best product to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy?

You may use Bio-Oil or consult your doctor for product suggestions.

Do stretch marks ever really go away?

No, they never go away. They fade with time or treatment.

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