Is there truly a way to banish those stretch marks once and for all? Take solace ladies, you are not the only one who suffers from stretch marks. They are extremely common among bodybuilders, pregnant women and adolescents who experience rapid growth spurts. Even though it isn’t possible to get rid of them completely once you have them, there are ways to make them less visible.

How do stretch marks occur? When skin is stretched beyond its normal capacity, deep scars that look like stripes appear on the skin. When the skin stretches, tiny fibers under the skin, tear. Basically, when large amounts of weight are gained in a short period of time, stretch marks can appear. Stretch marks can manifest themselves in the abdominal area, arms, legs, buttocks and chest. They’ll be reddish-purple in color in the beginning, but will eventually turn silver in color, which does make them less noticeable.

Believe it or not, treating yourself to a healthy and varied diet will not only help you feel great and watch your figure, it will also contribute to enhanced skin elasticity. Although there isn’t a ‘magic’ combination of foods that will banish stretch marks altogether, include oily fish (like salmon), nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits. Don’t forget to drink at least eight glasses of water a day also to hydrate you and baby from the inside out.

There are many products and treatments alike on the market today that can help to lessen the appearance of stretch marks, while improving the look of the skin in those areas at the same time.

Many specific lotions and creams promise to get rid of stretch marks, but in reality, all they do is to lessen the look of them. Cocoa butter is hailed as one of the best treatments for preventing severe stretch marks. The application of the cocoa butter will aid in keeping the skin moisturized and elastic, which may, in the long run, minimize the severity of stretch marks.

Exfoliation may be an answer to reducing the appearance of stretch marks. It depends on the location of the scar tissue, but removal of dead skin layers to reveal fresh skin underneath can show marked improvement in the effected areas. To exfoliate conveniently at home, use oatmeal or baking soda. Or, if you prefer something scented, there are many prepared formulas on the market today. Follow up with ample moisturizer to keep your skin well-hydrated.

For those of you who are serious about wearing that two-piece swim suit again, cosmetic surgery is a possible option for getting rid of stretch marks. There isn’t any way to repair the torn skin fibers which occur when skin stretches abnormally, but sometimes the stretch marks can be removed surgically. At the same time, the remaining skin can be pulled ‘taut’ and this will improve the look of your skin and minimize the appearance of the affected area. Keep in mind, this is the more expensive method by which to get rid of stretch marks and still, they may not disappear completely.