Several studies have shown that stretch marks are among the top five causes for insecurity in women. Read this article to discover how you can help prevent your stretch marks.

So what does having stretch marks mean to you? For me it is the ultimate signs of baby bearing, stretch marks can be seen as the proud badge of the children you have carried or as the roadblock to life in a bikini. However, for most sufferers, they are simply a fact of life.

Whilst some women started developing stretch marks during puberty, others only see stretch marks for the first time during a pregnancy. Additionally, stretch marks are also related to obesity and may appear during rapid muscle growth. So as a matter of fact, it is not just women who suffer from stretch marks but men too.

So what are stretch marks and what do they look like? Medically, they are called striae gravidarum and they appear like purplish red lines or bands. Stretch marks are caused when underlying tissue grows faster than the skin layers covering it, making small tears in the epidermal surface. In these tears, scar tissue then proceeds to grow, producing stretch marks. They are likely to form on areas such as the tummy, hips, breasts or thighs - wherever your skin has all of a sudden stretched. They start to become white, smooth, shiny and flattened once you lose weight and things return to normal.

Here are some tips on how to minimise stretch marks

Put weight on at a steady slow pace. Drink plenty of water. If your skin is kept soft with adequate hydration it is less likely to develop stretch marks. Caffeine can also contribute to stretch marks. This does not mean you have to give up the caffeine, you just have to make sure you balance the fluids. In other words, drink just as much or more water as you drink coffee, tea or soda. Stretch marks can also result from a poor diet. Be sure to eat foods that boost skin health: foods rich in zinc, such as fish or nuts; foods high in vitamins A and C, such as citrus fruits, carrots and milk; protein rich foods, such as eggs.

Rub your body with preventative oil or cream rich in vitamin E. While the best time to start using this preventative treatment is during the early stages of pregnancy or when you are trying to conceive. However, it is never too late to start and you will experience great results on areas that have already been affected by stretch marks. How the cream works is by penetrating deeply into the skin cell layers and works to improve their elasticity by strengthening the collagen and elastin-rich tissues that are responsible for the flexibility and elasticity of the skin. The cream has a rejuvenating effect by stimulating cell growth and production and thus enhancing skin renewal.

In my opinion as a last resort to minimise stretch marks would be to use surgical methods such as Dermabrasion, chemical peels or laser surgery.

I hope by reading my article you feel like you can now take control over the way you look and to make sure you need not suffer from this unsightly problem in the first place. There is no need to cover up on the beach or to be ashamed around your partner any longer. By simply following these preventative tips you can regain your confidence.