There are a lot of things that cause stretch marks, like weight gain, pregnancy, and lack of moisture in the air. Stretch marks aren't harmful, but they are unsightly, and if you are a woman, you will probably get them at some point in your life.

You may be wondering why people get stretch marks. Stretch marks are formed when the top layer of skin is stretched too far, and the skin tears. As these tiny tears heal, scar tissue forms and the area is left wrinkled and misshapen. For most people, they will fade as years go by, but sometimes they just won't go away. Many resort to surgical procedures to get rid of stretch marks, but they can often be prevented by maintaining your weight, and taking good care of your skin.

The other reasons that someone may get stretch marks are: extremely dry skin, continued cycles of weight gain and loss, and malnutrition. All of these things can make the collagen and elastin in your skin deteriorate, and your skin will be less resilient- leading to stretch marks. Read a little further for some good tips on treating and minimizing stretch marks.

Exercise on a regular basis. It increases circulation to all parts of the body (including the skin, keeping it supple and toned). A workout that makes you break a sweat keeps your pores clear of toxins, which will stimulate the skin's natural renewal process.

Also, a good workout will balance your hormone levels, and make you less stressed. We all know that out-of-whack hormones and stress can wreak havoc with our skin, but that can be fixed through regular exercise.

Moisturize well, and often. Use a moisturizer that has Vitamin E- it can stop stretch marks before they start. Look for a moisturizer that has a lot of shea or cocoa butter, and apply it at least twice a day, right after you shower. Your skin will be silky and resilient.

Enjoy a balanced and healthy diet. Eating a lot of lean protein, fruits, and vegetables (and cutting down or eliminating tobacco and alcohol) will improve the condition of your skin. Select foods that have a lot of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These ingredients will stimulate the skin cells' natural renewal process, making the skin look stronger and reducing stretch marks.

If all else fails, opt for laser treatments. We all know what wonders they can work on the skin of the face, but lasers work well on skin on other parts of the body, too. For example, the Fraxel treatment will simply remove the uppermost layer of skin, where stretch marks form. Then you will develop a new, fresh layer of skin over the next few weeks, and your stretch marks will most likely disappear.

Some cosmetics and skin care products work against stretch marks, also. Those that are loaded with vitamins (such as vitamin A and vitamin E) are excellent at preventing stretch marks from forming, as well as treating ones that are already present.

If you'd rather go the all natural route, there are many herbal remedies that are proven to make skin more smooth and resilient. Products with ingredients like vitamin E, vitamin A, aloe, and olive oil work best when they are applied to the stretch marks. All of these things will deeply moisturize your skin, making it more resilient and elastic.

Even home remedies are effective- simple ingredients like oatmeal and egg whites will work to minimize the appearance of stretch marks and encourage the growth of healthy tissues. While not providing the immediate results of a surgical procedure, natural and home remedies will over time make stretch marks less noticeable.

While there's no surefire way to prevent all stretch mark cases, most can be reduced through healthy diet and an active lifestyle. Stretch marks are something most of us will have to deal with at some time, and treatments ranging from surgery to natural remedies all help to manage them and keep skin looking great.