Oh, stretch marks. They’re a common sight on many parts of the body and they can be quite annoying. But fret not, my friend - there’s hope yet! Here are some tips on how you can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks and achieve smoother-looking skin.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Water is life (literally). It plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin as it helps keep your skin hydrated from within. When your body is dehydrated, your skin loses elasticity which makes it more prone to developing pesky stretch marks.
So drink up! Aim for at least 8 glasses of water each day (or go crazy and aim for a gallon if you're feeling like a real overachiever).
Keep it moist
Moisturizing isn't just something people with dry skin should do; everyone can benefit from lathering up every once in a while! Keeping your skin moisturized will make it more elastic which helps prevent new stretch marks from forming.
Look for lotions that contain ingredients like shea butter or cocoa butter as these are great at keeping the moisture locked in. (Pro tip: apply lotion immediately after showering)
Exfoliate regularly
Exfoliating is pretty much just a fancy word for getting rid of dead skin cells that have accumulated on top of our better halves (get ready to shed those layers). This process creates space for newer cells to take their place so we have younger looking and less marked-up bodies.
Look out for scrubs with coffee grounds or sugar crystals because they’re natural exfoliants that won't harm the environment once they wash down the drain. Use gentle circular motions all over wherever you want some polishing done (staying away from sensitive areas- y'all know what I mean).
Rub in some oils
Oils like lavender, rosehip and jojoba provide the skin with a lot of TLC. They're rich in fatty acids that can help repair and moisturize our poor, love-handled bodies. Applying a few drops all over your body before bed could go a long way (or you know- slather it on whenever you feel like it).
Slow down on sugar
Hold up! This one might come as a surprise but consuming lots of sugary foods is not ideal for smooth skin. There’s evidence to suggest that sugar consumption adversely affects collagen production which leads to slower healing times and more visible stretch marks.
Don’t worry - I’m not asking you to give up desserts altogether (I’d never do something that cruel). Just try cutting back little by little each week so your skin can breathe easy too (don't tell me what 1 less brownie is going to hurt?).
Exercise regularly
Stretch marks tend to form when there are sudden changes in weight or size, so preventing those changes from happening too quickly is key. Regular exercise helps keep you healthy and active without making any sudden shocks to the system.
Start off slow at first if exercise hasn’t been part of your lifestyle recently; even walking briskly for 10-20 minutes every day could make an impact on reducing the appearance of stretch marks (no need to train for marathons right away).
Eat well-rounded meals
Just like how regular exercising keeps notable fluctuations at bay, eating balanced homemade meals also contributes towards keeping pesky stretch-marks hidden under wraps (grab yourself another spoonful of fresh veggies while we chat).
Choosing Vitamin C-rich foods may be particularly helpful since they promote collagen synthesis which supports elasticity in youthfully-perfect looking appearances (Think berries, kiwi or citrus fruits) .
Adding protein such as lean meats or Greek yogurt will also help build collagen, (extra tickboxes for salmon rich in Omega 3) because they contain amino acids which are the building blocks of protein. Meanwhile, silca-rich foods like oats and almonds promote strong skin, hair and nails (I’ll have another acai bowl then).
Get enough sleep
As important as it is to hydrate and moisturize our stretched-out bodies physically; it's just as necessary to invest time into doing so emotionally. Our mental sanity greatly affects the physical health of our skin, hence getting enoough beauty rest each night has proven benefits.
By having less stress hormones coursing through your veins every minute of everyday helps promote clear beautiful looking complexions. As Oprah would say "Invest some quality time in yourself".
Getting at least seven hours worth of shut-eye per day allows sufficient time for repairing collagen fibers critical to healthier firmer-looking skins (no need to make up excuses that procrastination comes from responsibility towards skincare any longer) .
Wear sunscreen outside!
Fun fact number 10: when we get exposed too much under harmful ultraviolet lights without protection this hastens visible signs of aging (seriously those rays are no joke). Even light exposure can brighten darkened marks caused by stretchmarks making them even more noticeable.
So applied SPF before heading out to work or heading on vacay - protect your skin! It’s a surefire way toward warding off further damage thereby helping lessen visibility altogether (won’t hurt updating with latest Kardashian-inspired designs either).
While you might find stretch marks annoying or unsightly , being able to love yourself exactly as you are is truly empowering- marks or not beebeh! Never let anyone shame you otherwise!! Stretch marks have become part-and-parcel while entering adulthood in most cases but these tips allow us personally feel better within ourselves inside-outwardly . Taking care involves tons little acts packed together , from sipping on water to targeting food moderation, smoother skins would just be a by-product (but who's kidding- it wouldn't hurt).