Foods to help avoid stretch marks on skin: Nutritionist recommendation

Why stretch marks appear

According to dietitian Nataliia Samoilenko, stretch marks are micro-injuries that form when the body size increases. Therefore, it's important to keep your weight under control.

With a lack of collagen and elastin, the skin loses its elasticity, making stretch marks much easier to form.

Hormonal changes, such as increased cortisol levels or adrenal gland disorders, can lead to unpleasant symptoms like stretch marks, though the color may differ.

The expert highlighted that certain foods can help prevent or reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

In particular, it's important to consume foods rich in vitamin C, such as spinach, broccoli, and other plant-based foods. Additionally, fruits like lemons, oranges, and kiwis should be included in your diet.

Among vegetables, bell peppers are considered the most effective.

It's also crucial to consume a sufficient amount of healthy fats, including nuts, seeds, and oily fish.

Stretch marks may feel slightly itchy. These wavy, stripe-like lines on the skin come in various colors, though they tend to fade from red or pink over time.

Where stretch marks usually appear

Stretch marks can develop on various parts of the body. Likely locations include:

• Abdomen: The skin often stretches during pregnancy or with sudden weight gain, leading to red stretch marks on the stomach.
• Thighs and buttocks: Stretch marks can appear due to muscle growth or rapid fat loss in these areas.
• Lower back and lumbosacral area: Poor exercise technique, a sedentary lifestyle, sudden movements, or back injuries can result in stretch marks in this area.
• Arms and legs: These areas are prone to stretch marks from muscle growth, typically seen in athletes.

Stretch marks treatment

Professional skincare, tailored by a dermatologist, can reduce the visibility of stretch marks, improve the skin’s texture and condition, boost collagen production, and speed up skin regeneration.

Removing stretch marks on the breasts and buttocks with creams or gels is impossible due to structural damage to the dermis. Stretch mark creams are used to moisturize the skin, stimulate collagen production, smooth the skin's texture, and reduce inflammation.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.