LIFESTYLE: Turn-off or turn-on? - The confusing issue of stretch marks

Stretch marks are a natural part of life … or are they? It seems we’re never done debating whether they can be avoided, treated, or gotten rid of altogether. And although it seems women as a whole are becoming more accepting of them and other parts of our natural appearance — like body hair — stretch marks are definitely still a sore spot for some.

Confidence ‘Drowner’

Stretch marks can impact any woman’s confidence who have them. People are not normally confident and happy with their imperfections. So, if it feels like your self-confidence has decreased due to this condition, know that like many other women with stretch marks, your reaction is normal. However, when it starts to affect your quality of life and interaction with people, then maybe it’s time that you do something about it.

In a survey conducted about women’s insecurity, one teacher said that, “I have very bad stretch marks from being pregnant with my first son and it made me really insecure to the point that I didn’t want to have sex with my new boyfriend with the lights on. It has affected my love life and my sex life.” When an insecurity begins to take control over your life, it makes you drift away from happiness to begin a saga of a miserable life.

The Truth Whether Guys Care About Your Stretch Marks

Asked hundreds of times, let us end this misconception once and for all, and reveal the truth whether guys actually care about your stretch marks or not.

First, and biggest important factor whether a guy cares about your scars is completely dependent on his personality so saying the same thing for everyone is pointless. If he wants a perfect princess for his girl/wife, he will be bothered by the smallest flaws in a girl’s body, stretch marks just being one of them.

Getting rid of stretch marks in a completely natural way isn’t likely. They’re a type of scarring that rarely fades enough to become invisible. However, there are some remedies that can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks and help them to fade more quickly.

Stretch marks in pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most common times when women notice stretch marks. In fact, it’s estimated that 50 to 90 percent of pregnant women will develop stretch marks before delivery. So, are pregnancy stretch marks different from the ones that other people get? Maybe.

Some experts believe that hormones during pregnancy may make you more prone to stretch marks. The hormones may bring more water into the skin, relaxing it and making it easier to tear when stretched. This idea is up for some debate. Regardless, a good number of pregnant women will notice stretch marks starting in the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy.

Prevention & Cure

Stretch marks most often appear on the: stomach, chest, hips, bottom, thighs.

They’re common in pregnancy, but anyone can develop stretch marks in any phase of life. Some people are more susceptible to them. If your mom, dad, grandparents, or other blood relative has stretch marks, you’re more likely to get them.

Even if you’re at increased risk of stretch marks, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk and treat the stretch marks you already have.

Control your weight One of the most helpful things you can do to prevent stretch marks, whether you’re pregnant or not, is to maintain a healthy weight. Stretch marks can happen when your skin pulls apart quickly due to rapid weight gain. You may also notice stretch marks after rapid weight loss. Some people develop stretch marks during growth spurts, such as during puberty. Other people, like bodybuilders, notice them after big gains from working out or using steroids.

Working to control body changes from happening too quickly may be your best bet. Eat a healthy diet and exercise to help you manage your weight. If you do notice rapid weight gain or weight loss, it may be a good idea to visit your doctor to find out why.

Stay hydrated

Drinking enough water may help keep your skin hydrated and soft. Soft skin doesn’t tend to develop stretch marks as much as dry skin does. The Institute of Medicine’s current recommendations for daily water intake are 104 ounces for men and 72 ounces for women.

Drinking caffeinated beverages, like coffee, may actually increase your risk of developing stretch marks. If you drink coffee, make sure you’re balancing out your fluid intake with plenty of water, herbal tea, and other caffeine-free fluids.

Eat a nutrient-rich diet Stretch marks may also occur if you lack nutrition in certain areas. Eating foods that boost skin health may help. Make sure your diet includes foods rich in: vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, protein.

One way to make sure you’re getting a variety of nutrients is to choose unprocessed foods in various colors. For example, a breakfast of eggs, whole wheat toast, and mixed berries adds many colors to your plate while packing in a variety of nutrients.

Include vitamin C in your diet Collagen plays a role in keeping your skin strong and elastic. It helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but it may also be important for preventing stretch marks.

Vitamin C is an important nutrient for the development of collagen. Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are especially good sources of vitamin C.

Soak up some vitamin D

One study found a correlation between low levels of vitamin D and the incidence of stretch marks. More research is needed, but results suggest that maintaining healthy levels of vitamin D may reduce your risk of stretch marks.

The easiest way to get vitamin D is through exposure to the sun. The vitamin is also commonly added to bread, cereal, and dairy products like milk or yogurt.