One of the most common skin care questions asked is: How do I get rid of Stretch marks? There are ways to treat these unsightly marks and ways to avoid getting them in the first place. If you understand some fundamentals, providing skin care for yourself is easy. Let's get some basics down first, then we will move on to how to get rid of stretch marks.

If you looked at a cross-section of your skin, it would look like a lattice or mesh of connected tissue. As you age, this mesh loses its ability to hold moisture. It also becomes weak - kind of like a rubber band that has been stretched over and over again. In fact, that is a perfect way to describe it - your skin loses elasticity. This happens because levels of various proteins in your skin are broken down with time. These proteins are needed to keep the skin firm and elastic. This is an important concept, because this is at the heart of stretch marks. Stretch marks are formed because when the skin stretches very rapidly, collagen synthesis is disrupted and the dermis (the under layer of skin) develops tiny micro tears. These show up as stretch marks.

So what can you do?

For clarification - we are talking generally about abdominal stretch marks caused by pregnancy. Stretch marks also show up on people who gain a lot of weight and even on body builders. For our purposes, let's just talk about the stretch marks that are most common. Just keep in mind that the prevention and treatment is consistent for various types.

Some key points in the treatment and prevention of stretch marks: First, gain slowly. The skin is remarkably elastic, but it can't handle super-fast growth. When you become pregnant, try to stick to your doctors recommended weight gain recommendation. And just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you should start eating 5000 calories a day! Just try to be sensible about what you eat and how much you eat - this will prevent a dramatic weight gain and thus help prevent stretch marks from forming.

Second, lotion up! You have got to moisturize. Cocoa butter is great for pure moisturizing power. Find a rich, balanced moisturizer containing cocoa butter and apply it regularly. It is best to apply it right out of the shower - our skin is very receptive at that time. Be generous with the amount - it will absorb. If you can, apply it twice a day. This is a great way to bond with your partner too - have him rub the stretch mark cream into the belly!

If you already have them, there are ways to get rid of stretch marks. There are products that can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Most work by helping to stimulate production of collagen and elastin in the skin, aiding in the repair of micro tears and visible marks.

Please remember, it is important to recognize that there are many stretch mark creams available on the market. Many should not be used during your pregnancy. If you are trying to prevent or get rid of stretch marks, please talk to your doctor before using any product that may contain chemicals that may affect your baby.