Stretch marks are wavy stripes appearing on the abdomen, buttocks, breasts and thighs. They start out reddish in colour and gradually turn white. They are caused by rapid weight gain or growth and so are particularly common during pregnancy.

Can stretch marks be prevented? Well the answer is yes and no. To a certain extent your genes determine how likely you are to suffer from stretch marks. If your mother developed stretch marks during pregnancy then you are more likely to develop them as well.

• Make sure you are getting plenty of essential fatty acids and vitamin E in your diet. Eat oily fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines as well as plenty of avocados, almonds, walnuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds and hazelnuts. Make salad dressings with quality organic cold pressed vegetable oils such as olive or flax seed or with Viridian's Organic Beauty Oil.
• Add foods or supplements to your diet that are high in zinc (red meat, whole grains, fish, poultry, nuts and ginger), which is excellent for skin, and silica (beets, brown rice, bell peppers, soybeans, leafy green vegetables and whole grains), which helps form collagen, the supporting fibers in the skin.
• Use a body oil or lotion that is rich in vitamin E, or specially formulated for stretch marks, on vulnerable areas every day. This prevents the skin getting dry and also provides key nutrients to the skin to help keep it soft and supple to prevent stretch marks. (see below for Love Lula's best lotions & oils for preventing stretch marks)
• If stretch marks still appear read about healing stretch mark scars here.