Vitamin C & Stretch Marks

Stretching of the skin usually happens because of one or two reasons. The first are usually diets that result in fast weight loss or rapid weight gain and the second is pregnancy. Women are not alone in suffering from stretch marks on their bodies, men can also get them if they put on weight or muscle very quickly. However, women typically have thinner skin than man and therefore they often struggle with these marks more than men. Stretch marks start out as brightly colored red,pink or purple marks that look almost like stripes. Over time, the marks turn white or silver in color but this does not decrease their visibility. The body can not heal stretch marks completely and so far there is no proven way to rid them from the body but it is possible to minimize these marks using topical medications and especially a diet which is high in vitamin C.

Eating oranges or other citrus fruits will not cure stretch marks however vitamin C promotes healthy skin which may minimize the damage to your skin and the appearance of stretch marks. This works because vitamin C is what is called an antioxidant and the body needs it fight off toxins that enter the body. Some of these toxins can actually prevent healing in the body and they result in unhealthy scar tissues in the body. Vitamin C can be found naturally occurring in many foods including citrus fruits like oranges, strawberries and grapefruits as well as in many other fresh, natural foods like broccoli, leafy greens and peppers.  You can also take vitamin C in supplement form however it is best to get as much as you can from natural foods first.

It is possible that a doctor may suggest or prescribe treatments with vitamin C for patients who are going to have a dermatological procedure. This is because vitamin C may help the body produce collagen and promote healing. However, topical treatments that include vitamin C have not undergone enough study to have any proof of its effectiveness. Over-the-counter vitamin C ointments and other options are still popular in stores and there are some naturopaths and other specialists who believe that vitamin C can promote the growth of healthy skin and may even improve stretch marks while they are in their early stages. However, it is generally agreed that there is not much to be done for late stage or white stretch marks because the skin has been too altered to be able to heal it.

There are other treatments available for stretchmarks such as creams that use tretinoin as an active ingredient. These creams and ointments usually remove layers of your skin and are good for skin conditions however if they are to be of any use for stretch marks they must be used in the appearance of stretch marks. Stretch marks never disappear completely but they may be improved in appearance with the use of these creams. It is possible to even consider laser therapy as a treatment for stretch marks but not even lasers can entirely heal them.

The best thing to do for stretch marks is to prevent them by keeping your skin healthy. You can do this by eating a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables and vitamin C so that you skin is strong before it undergoes any trauma. Keeping your skin moisturized will also go a long way in keeping your skin healthy and minimizing the appearance of stretch marks. Even though nothing can prevent them entirely or make them disappear, these steps can help you achieve healthy skin.