Whether we’ve lost body fat or just given birth, we’re likely to have stretch marks in certain areas. Stretch marks on inner thighs are one of the most common complaints I hear from the clients I train. I’ve even had to battle with these myself.
Over the years, though, I’ve found certain remedies to work. I’ve also come across simple ways to keep stretch marks on inner thighs at bay.
The methods I’ll share with you will be divided into two sections: prevention and treatment. The prevention section will contain some easy-to-follow techniques to keep your skin supple and healthy. The part on treatment will tell you some of the things you can resort to when you’ve already discovered stretch marks on inner thighs.
Ready to get rid of inner thigh stretch marks? Read on “How To Get Rid of Stretch Marks on Inner Thighs” to learn more.
Why Stretch Marks on Inner Thighs Happen
Stretch marks on inner thighs occur as a result of two things: prolonged stretching and a lack of skin elasticity.
Whenever we move, our skin has a natural tendency to return to its normal state. This is why we don’t get cut whenever we bend in different directions during HIIT or yoga classes. We’ve got a substance called collagen to thank for our skin’s elasticity.
However, there’s a limit to how far skin can stretch. When our skin is stretched for too long, like during pregnancy, the collagen and elastic fibers under our skin become damaged. The damage results in scar-like formations that we see on the surface as stretch marks, according to Web MD.
Why on the inner thighs? This is because the inner thighs are where a lot of us women tend to grow when we gain weight. Stretch marks also occur in other fat-prone areas like our upper arms, buttocks, and, of course, the abdominal region, according to Mayo Clinic.
How To Prevent Stretch Marks on Inner Thighs
Before we go into how to get rid of stretch marks on inner thighs, let’s talk about ways to prevent their occurrence.
Maintain a Healthy Body Composition
Take note that I didn’t say weight. Body composition refers to the amount of muscle, bone, and fat your body carries. Keeping body fat at a healthy level is crucial to preventing prolonged skin stretching.
Steer Clear of Sugar
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, this piece of advice is for you. According to recent studies, there is an indirect correlation between sugar intake and collagen, the compound that keeps your skin elastic and young. In one study cited by Web MD, sugar has been seen to interfere with the formation of collagen.
So, if you want to maximize the effects of collagen, put down the cupcake and hydrate. This conveniently brings us to the next tip.
Drink Lots of Water
One of the factors that determine skin elasticity is hydration, according to one study on PubMed. Having enough water under your skin allows your skin to lubricate itself and stay elastic. If you’re dehydrated, you’ll be more predisposed to stretch marks.
How much water should you drink? Try to aim for about two to three liters per day, as per CDC recommendations.
Easy Ways to Get Rid of Stretch Marks on Inner Thighs (and Everywhere Else)
Now that we’ve covered how to keep skin healthy, let’s talk about what to do about stretch marks if you have them. We’ll start with less-invasive modes of treatment and work our way down to medical intervention.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation works great as an initial intervention for stretch marks. Exfoliation allows you to eliminate dead and dry skin debris, allowing healthier skin cells to form. Healthier skin cells can form over the surrounding indentations of stretch marks and cause them to fade.
Over-the-Counter Topical Creams
Topical creams like tretinoin are available on the market nowadays. Other creams like ones containing retinol and hyaluronic acid help the elastic fibers of skin regenerate. The regenerative properties of these creams help obscure or remove superficial stretch marks. However, for deeper indentations, the intervention of a dermatologist is required.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is an effective way to remove most stretch marks. Laser therapy works by targeting the skin cells within the indentations of stretch marks.
The death of these cells will trigger the removal of these cells. Once the dead cells are removed, new ones that match the color of the skin replace them. As a result, the once-affected area is restored to its youthful and smooth appearance.
Laser therapy works for almost everybody, but it’s best reserved as an option only after the first two methods have been tried.
Getting Rid of Stretch Marks Doesn’t Need to Be a Stretch
Indeed, stretch marks can be a long process. Fortunately, preventing or removing them is not impossible.
By staying hydrated and consuming a diet that’s low in sugar, you’ll be preventing the fat gain that precedes stretch mark formation.
Once stretch marks form, treatment is widely available. Whether you opt for creams or laser therapy, the path to youthful skin is within reach.
Sources:
https://www.aad.org/media/news-releases/evaluate-before-you-exfoliate
https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/plain-water-the-healthier-choice.html
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22672420/
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-collagen-and-your-body
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stretch-marks/symptoms-causes/syc-20351139
