Stretch Marks
Stretch Marks
The Secret Formula
Pregnancy is one of two causes of stretch marks. The other is weight gain.
"Stretch marks occur on the breasts, hips and stomach during pregnancy, plus other areas such as the thighs when you gain weight," says Margaret A. Weiss, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore.
They're triggered when skin is stretched to the max, which occurs when growth is so rapid that your skin's elastic fibers break. And though it occurs less often, stretch marks can also be caused by some hormonal problems, certain diseases and medications, says Dr. Weiss.
WHAT WORKS
"Moisturizers, wrinkle cream and massage don't get rid of stretch marks," says Dr. Weiss. (For a possible exception, see "Vitamin Cream Works Wonders" on page 526.) And makeup doesn't cover them very well.
The best you can do is to minimize stretch marks, says Dr. Weiss. Firming any areas that have stretch marks--usually the thighs, hips and abdomen--makes stretch marks less apparent, she says. Women doctors suggest these exercises. (You can expect to see results in about two months.)
Start with 20 leg raises. One of the best exercises to work the hip and leg area, which is where stretch marks are most likely to occur, is a straight leg raise exercise, says Carol Garber, Ph.D., director of the Human Performance Lab at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
To begin, lie down on the floor on your side, legs straight, one on top of the other. Then extend the arm that's floor-side down over your head and rest your head on your arm. Put your other hand flat on the floor in front of your waist. Keeping both legs straight and toes pointed straight ahead, raise your top leg from hip to toe as far as it will go, then lower it back to the floor.
"Don't just jerk your leg up in the air and let it fall back down," says Dr. Garber. "You can get injured if you raise it too quickly. Instead, raise and lower your leg in a slow, controlled motion.
"Begin with 8 to 10 leg raises on each side at least three times a week," says Dr. Garber. Then, as each exercise begins to seem easy, add a leg raise or two until you've worked your way up to 20 leg raises three times a week.
What Women Doctors Do
Vitamin Cream Works Wonders Lisa Giannetto, M.D. Lisa Giannetto, M.D., does not have a single stretch mark on her body. Yet the diminutive 35-year-old associate professor in the Department of Medicine and Community and Family Medicine at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, has carried two babies to term within the past five years. Not any stretch marks? "Not one," she says cheerfully. "And since I'm only 95 pounds, I really stretched. I had a significant belly both times." Her secret: a nonprescription fluid containing vitamin C, called Cellex-C Serum, formulated based upon research conducted at Duke University Medical Center. Research suggests that the fluid will promote the development of collagen, a substance that gives your skin its elasticity, says Dr. Gianetto. And the result, as she can attest, is smooth, unmarked skin. Her advice to pregnant women who want to avoid stretch marks: "From the moment you begin to show at about 6 to 12 weeks, apply vitamin C fluid to your abdomen every day. After your bath or shower, dry off, then put enough fluid in your hand to cover your hips and abdomen; rub your hands together and smooth the cream over your belly." You don't have to be a doctor to get your hands on Cellex-C Serum fluid, although you can ask your doctor or dermatologist to order it for you. You can also order it directly by writing to: Cellex-C, Attn.: Brenda Gale, 518 17th Street, Suite 1700, Denver, CO 80202.
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Do 20 inner-thigh exercises. To firm your inner thigh, lie down on the floor just as you did for the leg raises, says Dr. Garber. But this time, instead of raising your top leg, bend that knee and place your foot in front of your bottom leg, then try to raise the bottom leg up about six inches. Then lower the leg to the floor.
Begin with 8 to 10 bottom-leg raises on each side at least three times a week, says Dr. Garber. Then, as each exercise begins to seem easy, add a couple of bottom-leg raises until you've worked your way up to 20 bottom-leg raises three times a week.
Swing your legs. One incredibly simple exercise that firms the whole thigh is to sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor, hands either by your sides or in your lap, then swing both legs up so that they're extended straight out in front of you at seat level, says Dr. Garber. Then swing them back down.
You can swing your legs whenever you feel like it--when you're on the phone or watching television, for example--or you can incorporate the exercise into your workout. Whichever you choose, your goal should be 20 swings three times a week.
Lift off. If you get bored with swinging, put your hands down at your sides to hold on to your chair and swing your legs up until they're fully extended. Then lift each leg, from foot to hip, about three to six inches, says Dr. Garber. Finally, lower your leg until both legs are straight out in front of you once again.
Start out with 8 to 10 lifts, then work your way up to 20 lifts three times a week.
Firm your butt. To firm your bottom, lie face-down on the floor, arms out at your shoulders, elbows bent and palms flat on the floor, says Dr. Garber. Now lift one leg, heel first, off the floor about three to six inches, then lower it back to the floor and repeat the lift with your other leg.
Start out by lifting each leg 8 to 10 times three times a week. Add a couple of lifts to each workout as they get easy. Your goal is 20 lifts three times a week.
Keep the scale steady. Since extra pounds create stretch marks, try to keep your weight on an even keel, says Dr. Weiss. To control calories, avoid high-fat foods, watch your portions and get more physically active. Walk instead of drive, take the stairs instead of an elevator, do your own yard work instead of hiring the neighbor's kid.
