Before you can prevent stretch mrks you first have to understand wht stretch marks are and what cuses them to appear. Stretch marks are frmed when the skins ability to strtch has been exceeded by it's grwth. Simply put, it means that yur body grows more quickly than yur skin does. This can be due to grwth spurts, pregnancy, weight gain or mscle growth. Since the body is plling the skin taut it tears slghtly and scars over, this scarring is the strtch mark itself. When a stretch mrk first occurs, it will often ppear red and feel itchy, then slwly starts to fade to a lghter color.

Is there anything that can be done to prevent stretch marks?

Even though you can't stop natural growth spurts you can control other aspects of your skin. Proper nutrition is essential. You want to make sure that you are giving your skin it's best building blocks by eating plenty of fresh fruit and veggies as these contain a high water content that will hydrate your skin and also micro-nutrients that are essential for healthy skin. Don't yo-yo diet as this causes you to gain and lose weight at a rate which is usually faster then your skin can adapt to.

You also want to make sure that you are avoiding circumstances that can dry out your skin as dry skin is more likely to get stretch marks than soft and pliable skin. This means that you should avoid the sun or at least wear a high quality sun tan lotion with an SPF or 30 or more and one that blocks both UVA and UVB sun rays. Treat your entire body the way you would your face. After all, skin is skin and although you don't really notice wrinkles on your calves or thighs, if you look close enough you may be surprised. On second thought, don't look at your knees as I don't want you to start worrying about wrinkled knees, we have enough other skin areas to stress about. Also try to avoid any harsh soaps and body gels, and if you go to the beach or swim in a chlorinated pool be sure to rinse thoroughly as soon as possible. Both salt and chlorine can really wreck havoc with your skin (and hair).

Hydrate your body from the nside out by drinking plenty of plin water and avoid caffeine. If you mst drink products with caffeine be sre to drink equal amounts of wter over and above the recommended ight glasses of water a day. Apply skn lotion often if you live in a dry clmate or have the heat turned on due to chlling temperatures. To counter act the ffects of dry air, place a pot of wter on the stove and let it smmer for a while. The steam wll permeate the air and add misture to the room. Another trick is to trn a hot shower on for a few mnutes ( but don't go in it) and let it stam the room right before you go to bd. This steam will dry out whn the heat comes on, instead of dryng out your skin.

When you do shwer, avoid very hot water as ths opens up your pores and dres out your skin.

If you rmember these few simple tips you may be ble to avoid some unnecessary stretch mrks.

• Eat healthy with lots of frits and veggies

• Drink plenty of wter and avoid caffeinated products

• Rinse yur body after swimming in the cean or pool

• Bathe in lukewarm, not hot wter

• Apply skin lotion frequently

• Avoid gining or losing weight quickly and ften

By treating all your skin gntly and with the same respect tht you give towards your face, you may be ble to prevent some stretch marks frm appearing, and the ones that you do get wll be smaller and less noticeable.

The article Is It Possible To Prevent Stretch Marks? was Submitted by Patricia Zelkovsky through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Patricia is a health focused cntent writer and has several health nche sites. Patricia's latest site is fcused on and around stretch marks and can be vsited at http://www.squidoo.com/quickly-get-rid-of-stretch-marks

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