Stretch marks are a common problem that affects both men and women. These marks are ugly and can be the cause of embarrassment. There are many ways to deal with stretch mark removal including laser surgery, abdominoplasty and topical creams and lotions. Many people would prefer not to have surgery and would rather treat their stretch mark removal naturally.

There are many natural methods for reducing and removing stretch marks as well as ways to help prevent getting them. Many lotions or creams are made using natural ingredients that help to minimize the appearance of scars and to remove stretch marks. Look for products that cater to scars and stretch mark removal since these are basically the same thing.

Removing Stretch Marks Naturally

Creams and lotions that contain natural ingredients can do a great job at reducing and eliminating stretch marks. They are particularly well-suited for fewer and lighter marks but will often do a good job over time. Some of the ingredients to look for include:

• Collagen – A protein that aids in skin growth and in removing stretch marks
• Elastin – Helps give skin natural elasticity and is produced by the body
• Shea Butter – helps to moisturize the skin
• Cocoa Butter – moisturizes and protects the skin
• Botanicals – provide moisturizing and healing properties
• Vitamins – help to give skin nourishment and act as a stretch mark remover
• Aloe Vera – softens and smoothes the skin
• Grapeseed Extract – helps new skin growth
• Antioxidants – reduces oxidants to help skin cells function more efficiently

The two main purposes of using lotions and creams for stretch mark removal are to make the skin suppler and to stimulate new skin cell growth. Together this will help to reduce lines, marks and scars while protecting the skin against any further damage. Using products with natural ingredients is usually gentle on the skin and continued use will help reduce the marks even further. As new skin continues to grow the marks will become smaller and less noticeable, particularly if you keep the skin moisturized.

Prevention

There are some things you can do to help prevent stretch marks from occurring in the first place. Marks due to stretching of the skin are more prevalent in some people than in others. Occurrence of these marks may be linked to nutritional deficiencies. A good diet and getting enough exercise are important parts of stretch mark prevention.

Diet
First and foremost it's important to remember that the skin needs plenty of water for good health. Getting a good intake of water daily will help keep your skin hydrated and more supple. Avoid drinking caffeine since it can add to the occurrence of these marks. Caffeine has diuretic properties so drinking fluids with caffeine tend to actually remove water from the cells of the skin.

A healthy diet promotes good skin. For good skin health include foods that are rich in zinc in your diet as well as foods that are high in vitamins A and C. Zinc is found in fish and nuts while vitamins A and C are found in many vegetables and citrus fruits. Also, be sure to get enough protein in your diet since protein is a necessary building block in the body.

Exercise
Exercise will also help to keep the skin healthy and toned. Stretching and flexibility exercises are best for keeping the underlying muscles toned and taut. A regular exercise regime that you can do daily or several times per week is the best. Change your routine to include various types of exercises that affect all parts of the body. Cardio exercises help to increase oxygen supply to the skin cells, which helps to promote healthy skin.

What to avoid
Some things can actually make stretch marks worse or can make you more prone to getting them in the first place. Stay away from:

• Caffeine
• Steroid creams or hydrocortisone ointments
• Sun exposure – the sun can make stretch mark scars darken and become discolored making them appear more prominent
• Creams or lotions that contain harmful or harsh ingredients