Dear Shauna, How can I get rid of stretch marks? Signed, every mother, bodybuilder, or anyone who has ever gained (or lost) a lot of weight in a short amount of time. First off, you’re not alone. As you can see from the signature, stretch marks aren’t limited to a particular race, sex, or religious denomination…they’re pretty much an equal opportunity problem. Lucky you, huh?

No matter what your friends or relatives may tell you, it can be cured…just don’t expect an overnight success story. It’s something you’ll have to invest some time in, unless you’re financially independent enough to afford a procedure such as microdermabrasion, which is basically sanding off the top layers of your skin.

Last time I looked, there were way too many people online trying to sell me a miracle cure for getting rid of my stretch marks. Every one claims to have proof and pictures of their successes, and if you’re not informed about what to look for, it’s a dangerous time to try and get rid of your stretch marks. For instance, a lot of companies will tell you their product fades stretch marks if you wait long enough…problem is, your body does that naturally! What you want is a product that helps speed up your body’s natural healing properties, not something to just cover up the scars.

Prevention is a great way for getting rid of stretch marks before they even occur. If you can avoid fast weight gain - this applies to bodybuilder’s as well as those who overeat then this means you’re less likely to get stretch marks. Prevention techniques work the same way as regenerative methods, helping the skin become more supple can only make for a healthier you.

The application of creams can indeed increase the elasticity of the skin, thus allowing it to stretch further. Notice I said further up they might not work as a corrective method on their own? Well that’s sometimes true, but they can increase the ‘bendiness’ of your skin and help you prevent further, or worse stretch marks.

There’s a ton of products you can buy if you’re not interested in a high-quality stretch mark cream. Off the top of my head I can think of a couple oils: Jojoba and castor; some butters like: shea and cocoa; and of course the vitamins: A, C, and E. You can also help yourself by eating right and staying hydrated…water is very important! Why? Well aside from the numerous health benefits, it also helps the cells in your skin regrow faster.

The most popular item on that list has got to be Vitamin E creams. It’s actually an ingredient in a lot of the more popular stretch mark creams. Not the only one, of course, but still an honorable mention in the heavy hitters. Whether you choose to use these “homemade” recipes or put your trust into a high-quality stretch mark cream, the choice is really yours. Pick something you can afford and something you feel comfortable with.

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