It is just one of those things: you work hard to tone and tan your thighs, and then nothing seems to get rid of those streaky stretch marks. They are like a signal to all that something has not gone according to plan. If only there were a way to lessen them somehow…
Perhaps there is!
Learn the causes and best ways to treat stretch marks on thighs with our guide here.
What Causes Stretch Marks on Your Thighs?
Stretch marks are the result of your skin being stretched too far.
This is a natural occurrence and happens when the connective fibers of your skin are stretched excessively. This creates a tear in the fibers, which results in a mark. Liken it to a rubber band that is stretched. It can stretch a certain amount and return to its normal shape. However, when placed under too great of tension, it snaps (only instead of your skin "snapping," a stretch mark is created).
Stretch marks may initially appear purple or red due to the blood vessels under the skin. As time passes, stretch marks fade to a white or silvery shade, and they are also more difficult to eliminate.
Some of the most common causes of stretch marks include:
- Weight gain (note that this could be muscle gain, fat gain, or a combination of both)
- Pregnancy
- Genetics
- Rapid growth
- Weight lifting
Types of Stretch Marks
As you may (or may not) have experienced for yourself, stretch marks can look slightly different depending on a couple of factors, including:
- Skin health
- Skin elasticity
- Skin tone
- Part of the body affected (thighs, hips, stomach, etc.)
Typically, stretch marks are a different color and texture than your skin.
Tell-tale signs of stretch marks include:
- Streaks or indentations of varying shapes and sizes on your skin
- Shiny, thin lines in your skin
- Itching and irritation on a particular region of skin before stretch marks appear.
Dietary Remedies to Help with Stretch Marks
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, rapid weight gain can develop stretch marks. This means that one of the best things you can do to prevent stretch marks is maintaining healthy body composition. And as we all know, what you eat (and how much you eat) directly impacts your body composition.
With that in mind, here are some of the best foods to support health and body composition while combating the development of stretch marks.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are a class of essential fatty acids that have been the subject of intense research over the past couple of decades due to their notable benefits, particularly in regard to cardiovascular health and inflammation.
Termed "essential" means that omega-3 must be acquired through the diet (food or supplements) since the body cannot produce sufficient amounts on its own. The most frequently recommended sources of food high in omega-3 are:
- Wild Alaskan salmon
- Sardines
- Mackerel
- Herring
Unfortunately, a significant portion of the population doesn't consume enough fish, which means they are at risk of not consuming sufficient amounts of omega-3 fats to support health.
There are some plant-based sources of omega-3s, such as:
- Walnuts
- Flax seeds
- Chia seeds
- Soybeans
However, the body is not very efficient in converting plant-based omega-3 fatty acids (ALA) into the forms the body needs (EPA and DHA).
So, where does this leave individuals that don’t like to eat seafood and want to optimize omega-3 intake?
SteelFit® Ahiflower offers a sustainable, vegan option that is more bioavailable than other plant-based omega-3s. Ahiflower contains more biologically advanced plant omegas (including stearidonic acid, SDA) than any other natural plant source, including flax, chia, and hemp seed oils. Furthermore, Ahiflower also contains GLA -- an essential omega-6 fatty acid associated with skin health, hormonal balance, and anti-inflammatory support.
PLUS, there's no fishy taste, a common problem with omega-3 supplements.
Fruits & Veggies
When promoting optimal health, wellness, and body composition, it's no surprise that fruits and veggies are among the best things you can eat.
There are several reasons for this.
First, fruits and veggies are LOADED with polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other phytochemicals that supply the body (including your skin) with the nutrients it needs to be vibrant, healthy, and supple.
Protein
Protein supplies the literal building blocks (amino acids) that your body needs to build and repair tissue, including your skin. Not consuming enough essential amino acids (EAAs) daily effectively limits the body's ability to heal and nourish itself.
Furthermore, insufficient protein intake can also hurt hormone production and neurotransmission (chemical messengers in the brain that affect memory, focus, thinking, and mood).
As such, make sure you're consuming enough high-quality protein during the day from sources such as:
- Beef
- Dairy
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Eggs
- Venison
- Fish
- Shellfish
Protein powder (such as Steel Whey or Steel Vegan) is also an ideal option to help you hit your daily protein needs by supplying high-quality, bioavailable, and delicious protein.
Foods High in Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral that plays a critical role in skin health (as well as immune support!).
More specifically, zinc possesses anti-inflammatory properties and serves a key role in wound healing.
Foods rich in zinc include:
- Red meat
- Shellfish
- Legumes
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Dairy
- Eggs
Water
Hydration is essential to skin health.
Being adequately hydrated helps prevent dry, rough, inflexible skin. Well-hydrated skin is more soft and supple, making it less likely to develop stretch marks than dry, dehydrated skin.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends women consume at least 72 ounces of water per day, and men consume 104 ounces per day.
If you are physically active and/or live in hotter environments, fluid/water needs may be more significant.
Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the body and a key component of the skin. Unfortunately, natural collagen production starts to decline early in adulthood (between the ages of 25-30).
While it is possible to consume Collagen through the diet, the reality is that most individuals don't regularly consume collagen-rich foods (gelatin, bone broth, etc.).
The good news is that collagen supplements offer an equally affordable, bioavailable, and delicious option!
Steel Collagen provides 20 grams of high-quality, hydrolyzed grass-fed bovine collagen peptides (containing type I and III Collagen) to support healthy skin, hair, and nails. We've also included 100mg of hyaluronic acid to support further hydrated, vibrant skin and Vitamin C, which is known to increase collagen production.
Limit Smoking & Drinking
Smoking and drinking increase the body's exposure to stressors and toxins that can increase oxidative stress and negatively affect skin quality and appearance.
Best Topical Cream for Stretch Marks on Your Thighs
Eating a healthy diet, staying physically active, and maintaining a healthy body composition is essential for avoiding stretch marks. Topical creams may also be able to supply the skin with valuable nutrients to help combat stretch marks.
SteelFit® has a premium line of topical fat loss creams and body firming lotions to promote skin elasticity and resist stretch marks, including our best-selling cellulite reduction cream, Buns of Steel.
Furthermore, lotions and creams may help lighten stretch marks as well as help return vibrancy, youthfulness, and elasticity to the skin.
Takeaway
Stretch marks are a common (and frustrating!) thing on the inner thighs.
They can appear after puberty, weight gain, or pregnancy.
While harmless, they are something you'd rather not have to deal with. Fortunately, what you do daily can significantly affect whether they become a problem, including eating right, training hard, using the right supplements, and maintaining a healthy body composition.
