Stretch marks what is stretch marks: this should be the first and most important question as it will be very helpful to know what it actually is. Now to know what stretch marks is we need to know what the skin is made up of. A normal skin is made up 80% collagen,4% elastin fibre mesh network (elastin is a type of protein in the skin which makes the skin to be flexible and allows the skin to stretch. The elastin form a fish net like network in the skin which allows our skin to stretch and recoil back to its original position. From this explanation we can be able to explain properly what really is and what it is not. Stretch marks are a form of tearing on the skin with an off colour.it has stages as its first stage is that it has a red colour while as time goes on it changes to milk white. One remarkable thing about stretch marks is that visually and textually the skin is so different from a normal one, yet if you touch it feels empty. That is to say you don’t feel stretch marks when touching them. CAUSES: Some people erroneously believe that stretch marks only affect those that are fat. Though they are partially correct as we will soon discover its real cause. The real cause of stretch marks is hormones. This can be supported by the fact that when people gain or loss weights the hormones in our bodies or skins is affected and the aftermath result is stretch marks. Another fact that can be supported by this is that when women are pregnant,strech marks often surface because the hormones is affected as a result of weight gain. PREVENTION AND REMOVAL: the best way to treat them is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Some of the ways you can prevent them are: 1. The use of moisturizing creams regularly. 2. The use of vitamin E: this may need a little explanation. Vitamin E is a very strong antioxidant that can help prevent skin damage. Research has shown that the direct application of vitamin to the skin can increase the level of vitamin E in the skin thereby preventing skin damage. One can also make sure that ones diet is vitamin E high e.g. vegetable oil, peanut butter, and fortified cereals. 3. Exercise programmes that will keep the body healthy. 4. Balanced diet and plenty of water can also help along way to reduce the risk of stretch marks. Now as for the total removal of stretch marks. We must know that there is no treatment that will make go totally as they can only be reduced. Laser can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks especially when it at its initial stage. however it is advisable to seek the advise of your doctor before taking any decision on treating your stretch marks.