Stretch marks are the scars left behind when skin is stretched beyond its capacity. The best time to fight stretch marks is before you get them so, prior to gaining or losing excessive weight, as in pregnancy or even in teen growth spurts it’s smart to realize that certain preventative actions can minimize their severity. Use creams and oils that are proven to increase the elasticity of your skin before and during the trauma of excessive stretching offer best results. Creams that are rich in vitamin D and E help repair cells as do many of the same creams used in prevention.