Gym Tips: How to Prevent Stretch Marks From Working Out

We all know that regular workouts can lead to a toned and beautiful body. But did you know that your gym time could be causing you to develop stretch marks too? We’re sorry to break the news. Luckily, there are a bunch of things you can do to prevent stretch marks from appearing as a result of your exercises. Here are our top gym tips for keeping your skin stretch-mark-free.

EAT RIGHT

As you probably know, your diet is an important part of burning fat and building muscle. It also plays an important role in preventing stretch marks. Try munching on a healthy diet of fruits, lean meats, veggies, whole grains, and low-fat dairy to keep your skin pristine. Foods that are especially good for your skin include grapefruit, plums, salmon, walnuts, turkey, tuna and green tea.

It’s also extremely important to stay hydrated before, during and after your daily workout. Set a goal to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. This should help to keep your skin flawless.

CUT DOWN ON THE WEIGHT

No, we don’t mean your body weight. We mean the weight you’re lifting in the gym. While it’s great to bulk up, you don’t want to gain too much muscle too quickly. This can lead to unsightly stretch marks. Instead of doing only a few reps with extremely heavy weights, cut down your weight and shoot for 10 to 15 reps per set.

DON’T SKIP CARDIO

Cardio keeps your muscles in check. Set aside at least 30 minutes for running, swimming, biking, or speed walking 3 to 4 days per week. Cardio will not only help you burn calories, but it will also keep your muscle gains controlled so that you don’t develop stretch marks. This way, you get the best of both worlds!

TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN

When it comes to preventing stretch marks, taking care of your skin with high quality products seems like an obvious thing to do. Yet, many people don’t do it. You should always moisturize to keep your skin strong and elastic. Tretinoin Retin-A cream can boost collagen production, which is one of the best ways to stop stretch marks from forming. Finally, Vitamin C and E will help keep your skin in top form.

Take a look at our medical-grade skin care products. They can work to keep your skin feeling and looking as young and healthy as possible for as long as possible.

ERASE YOUR STRETCH MARKS

Some people develop stretch marks no matter what they do, thanks to their genes. If you develop stretch marks, or if you already have them, there are ways to improve their appearance:

One of our favorite treatments for minimizing stretch marks is Dermapen, which requires little to no downtime.
If you have discoloration around your stretch marks, Intense Pulsed Light can be used to reduce the color.
For those of you with stretch marks that are no longer colorful, a fractional laser, which resurfaces the rough and uneven skin of stretch marks, may be a better option.

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