How To Remove Stretch Marks Naturally.
Stretch marks are long and narrow stripes or lines that appear on the skin when the skin is suddenly stretched or stretched too quickly. They usually occur on the stomach, thighs, hips, upper arms, back, etc. Stretch marks are a type of scarring that occurs when the skin is not able to resume normal form after a spurt of intense growth like in the case of pregnancy, weight gain or loss, or puberty.
Most of us associate stretch marks with pregnancy, but did you know that’s not the only cause of stretch marks? Stretch marks are simply lines or stripes that appear on the skin when someone goes through a rapid weight gain or loss. It is most common among women post-pregnancy or rapid weight gain, although it may happen to men and teenagers as well.
The thing with stretch marks is that even though they’re harmless, they might pose to trigger self-esteem issues in some people because of the beauty standards these days.
Causes of stretch marks.
Pregnancy: More than sixty percent of pregnant women experience stretch marks during or after pregnancy.
Rapid weight gain: Gaining a lot of weight all of a sudden can cause stretch marks
Rapid weight loss: Just like gaining a lot of weight in a short period is dangerous; rapid weight loss can also lead to the appearance of stretch marks and cause scarring.
Corticosteroid creams and lotions: Continued use of corticosteroid creams and lotions (used to reduce skin inflammation caused by conditions such as psoriasis and eczema) can reduce the collagen level in the skin. Collagen plays a significant role by strengthening the dermis; hence a reduction in collagen can increase the risk of stretch marks.
Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions can cause stretch marks too. Marfan syndrome is one such example where the elasticity of the skin tissue reduces, causing the skin to scar. In the case of Cushing's syndrome, the body produces too much hormone that leads to rapid weight gain or loss.
Puberty: As mentioned earlier, rapid growth is the primary cause of stretch marks, and a lot of people experience rapid growth like sudden gain in height during the time of puberty. Hence, it is no surprise that puberty causes stretch marks.
Types of stretch marks can be broken down into two main stage classifications based on their formation and appearance
Striae rubrae stretch marks are usually pink or reddish in appearance and are an acute stage of stretch marks. It is the earliest indication of an over-expanded dermis. These stretch marks are generally flattened and form a perpendicular or parallel pattern. If you develop these stretch marks, then you might experience some itching as well.
Striae albae stretch marks are more chronic as compared to striae rubrae, and in this case, the stretch marks are more scar-like, irregularly shaped, and pigmented. They are usually white and faded and may develop a fine, wrinkly texture to them.
Home remedy for stretch marks.
There are various ways to fade stretch marks from your body, but nothing beats the classic old home remedies. However, it's important to note that some stretch marks are harder to fade than others. The good thing about trying out natural solutions is that they are entirely harmless. Even if they don't fade away from your stretch marks completely, you'll be left with nourished skin.
So, here are some of the home remedies to help you get rid of stretch marks:
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has been used in skin and beauty products since the very beginning. It has many miraculous healing properties and is known to help regenerate the skin. Extract fresh Aloe Vera gel from the leaf and massage it over the stretch marks, leaving it on for 20 to 30 minutes. Wash it off and pat dry. Repeat it daily, and you will notice the results within a few weeks.
2. Castor Oil
Castor oil, when massaged into the dry, shriveled-up stretch marks, provides it with nourishment and moisture and helps to heal the skin slowly. You can massage your skin with castor oil during the day and night to get noticeable results. Keeping the scars moisturized will even eventually make them less visible.
3. Almond oil and coconut oil
Both Almond oil and Coconut oil have excellent healing properties, so what’s better than a combination of the two? You can mix almond oil and coconut oil in equal proportions and massage it onto the stretch marks regularly, and the stretch marks will disappear in no time.
4. Lemon Juice and Cucumber paste
Lemon is known for its lightning and healing properties, and cucumber acts as a cooling agent. Mix lemon juice and cucumber paste in equal quantities and apply them to the skin. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wait for it to get soaked into the skin. Then wash off and pat dry.
5. Egg Whites
Egg whites are high in proteins and amino acids. When applied to the skin, egg whites not only lighten the stretch marks but also tighten the skin. To use egg whites for fading stretch marks, simply take egg white from to eggs and apply a thick layer on the stretch marks with the help of a makeup brush. Allow the egg whites to dry completely then rinse this area with water. You might need to repeat the process daily for at least about two weeks to get results.
6. Potato Juice
Potato juice contains a variety of enzymes and starch that lighten the skin, which is the reason why it is used to treat dark spots, blemishes, and pigmentation of the skin. Apply potato juice on the skin regularly to lighten and reduce stretch marks.
7. Body butter
Rich body butter such as Cocoa butter and Shea butter help in reducing stretch marks, especially pregnancy stretch marks. Massage cocoa butter over pregnancy stretch marks at night before sleeping religiously and watch your stretch marks fade away in a few weeks.
8. Sugar scrub
Exfoliating the skin will remove dead skin cells and help in fading out the stretch marks. It also makes way for other skin treatments to penetrate the skin faster and work more effectively. Mix lemon juice, olive oil, and sugar to form a scrub. Apply it on the stretch mark and rub it for a good 10 minutes. Rinse it with lukewarm water.
9. Apricots
Apricots are high in vitamins A, B, and C. Take two fresh apricots and grind them to form a smooth paste. Apply the paste directly on the affected area and leave it on for half an hour before washing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat it regularly to see the desired results.
10. Gotu Kola
Gotu kola is a herb that has been used in traditional Indonesian, Chinese, and Ayurvedic medicine. It is known to cure a variety of skin conditions like scars, pigmentation, and rashes. A study found that this herb increases collagen production, which increases the elasticity of the skin. This can heal stretch marks and prevent new ones from forming. Just make a smooth paste out of this herb and apply it daily on the affected area.
11. Black Tea
Black tea is rich in vitamins and minerals that can treat skin pigmentation. Boil a few tablespoons of black tea with a pinch of salt added to it. Let it cool down and then apply the mixture on the stretch marks. Repeat the process for a few weeks until the stretch marks disappear entirely.
12. Dietary home remedies
Vitamin E is also a rich source of antioxidants that fight free radicals and provide nourishment to the skin. Foods like avocado, papaya, pumpkin, hazelnuts, parsley, olives are excellent sources of vitamin E. Bone broth of chicken, lamb, or beef is a natural source of gelatin. Gelatin contains collagen, which improves skin elasticity.
Foods like chia seeds, cod liver oil, tofu, sardines, shrimps, cauliflower are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids that also help to improve the elasticity of the skin, thereby reducing the appearance of stretch marks.
How to avoid getting stretch marks in the first place
Prevention is always better than cure. It is better to avoid getting stretch marks in the first place rather than worrying about getting rid of them. Here are some tips and tricks to avoid or prevent the appearance of stretch marks on your skin:
- Moisturize your skin regularly - keeping the skin moisturized and supple can prevent stretch marks. Moisturizing the skin regularly can also reduce the itching of the skin that happens when the skin loses its elasticity.
- Gain healthy food during pregnancy - women should ensure that they gain a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy. Gynecologists recommend that women who are in a healthy BMI should gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy, while overweight women should gain 15-25 pounds. Underweight women, on the other hand, should gain up to 40 pounds. Gaining just the right amount of weight during pregnancy is the key to preventing pregnancy stretch marks.
- Eat food rich in Omega 3 - Omega 3 fatty acids help keep the skin supple and youthful. Salmon, cod liver oil, sardines, chia seeds, soybeans are excellent sources of Omega 3.
- Avoid using steroid creams - Steroid creams- or corticosteroids contain cortisone which may weaken the skin structure and may result in stretch marks and scars. However, people already using such lotions must speak to their doctor before discontinuing it.
- Exercise - Exercising regularly can help you to lose weight at a healthy pace and attain the required healthy BMI. Exercising can also increase blood and oxygen flow in the skin, which acts as a catalyst in the skin regeneration process.
- Stay hydrated- One must drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day to keep the skin hydrated and supple and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
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