Stretch marks are long marks on your skin that look like stripes or lines, medically known as striae and striae atrophic. Stretch marks appear around the stomach, chest, hips, bottom, and thighs. They’re commonly seen during pregnancy, weight gain, or weight loss, but anyone can develop them even during their growing years.
Many people worry about how to handle stretch marks after weight loss, especially if they have lost a lot of weight or gained some pounds. If you want to prevent stretch marks while losing weight, there are a few things you can do while losing weight to reduce stretch marks and their appearance as you are shedding those pounds.
- Eat foods rich in zinc, Vitamin C, and protein: Three things that help in collagen production, which gives skin its elasticity are vitamin C, protein, and zinc. The more collagen your skin produces, the better it can take shape or form. So including foods rich in zinc, vitamin C and protein will help your skin in recovering from stress, thereby preventing stretch marks from appearing.
- Drink enough water: You should drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated. It is an important thing to do for your skin, hair, nails, and body. It helps your body in proper functioning and improved the feel and texture of your skin, which helps in tackling stretch marks.
- Exercise regularly: Regular exercise is a great way to detoxify your body and stay active. Having some form of activity, even for 15 minutes, improves blood circulation throughout your body which helps in skin elasticity and toning your muscles. Tight and toned muscles help keep the skin intact and prevent stretch marks.
- Keep skin moisturized: Your skin needs topical hydration as well to maintain elasticity. Skin that is dry is more likely to flake and feel stressed. Moisturizing your skin will not only help in making it soft and plump but also keeps stretch marks at bay.