Abs with stretch marks

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Most people will have to deal with stretch marks at some point in their lives. Don't fret - if you've been frantically googling 'how to remove stretch marks', we have some great professional advice for reducing their appearance. Stretch marks can pop up all over the body, with the most common areas being the tummy, thighs and chest area.

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If stretch marks are cramping your style, here's some uplifting news: Those colored streaks on your skin will probably fade all by themselves, even if you do nothing to treat them.

My first stretch marks

That's a good thing, because nixing them can prove challenging and working out won't make them fade. Still, exercise can help prevent you from getting stretch marks in the first place -- and help sculpt beautiful stomach muscles -- so don't skimp on the workouts. You may be well past puberty, but the rapid growth spurt could have left red, purple or silvery marks on your skin that last for years. Pregnancy or fast weight gain can also create stretch marks, which usually strike on the breasts, stomach, hips and thighs.

Stretch marks

Some stretch marks pop up with overuse of cortisone creams, so take it easy on these products if you can. Sometimes stretch marks indicate a more serious condition, so see your doctor if you're not sure why you have them.

As amazing as it would be to simply work off your stretch marks, exercise won't make any difference in reducing or removing them. However, physical activity does help you maintain a healthy weight, which may prevent your skin from stretching in the first place.

According to MayoClinic.

Generally, cardio exercises such as cycling, jogging and swimming are more effective for weight management than toning exercises. Exercise may not affect existing stretch marks, but toning moves can give you killer abs so you may not even mind them anymore. Perform crunches or situps at home, or use twist or crunch machines at the gym for a gorgeously sculpted stomach.

For optimal fitness and good balance, tone the rest of your body to match.

You can lift weights or perform squats, lunges, pushups and other body-weight activities. For bestdo toning exercises two to three days per week.

Careers and higher education

If you'd rather not wait for your stretch marks to fade naturally, NYU Langone Medical Center recommends trying a prescription tretinoin cream for newer marks, but not during pregnancy. Laser treatment is another effective option, and can fade both old and new discoloration. Lasers are expensive though, and often require multiple treatments.

Those over-the-counter creams and lotions probably won't do you much good, so save your money and walk right past the cocoa butter at the drug store. Nina K. Weight Training.

By Nina Hauptman. About Stretch Marks You may be well past puberty, but the rapid growth spurt could have left red, purple or silvery marks on your skin that last for years.

Exercise and Stretch Marks As amazing as it would be to simply work off your stretch marks, exercise won't make any difference in reducing or removing them. Toning and Appearance Exercise may not affect existing stretch marks, but toning moves can give you killer abs so you may not even mind them anymore.

Stretch Mark Reduction If you'd rather not wait for your stretch marks to fade naturally, NYU Langone Medical Center recommends trying a prescription tretinoin cream for newer marks, but not during pregnancy. References MayoClinic.