Are you suffering from ugly stretch marks on your skin and are looking for ways to remove stretch marks permanently?
Stretch marks are characterized by long, and narrow lines below the topmost layer. It happens when the skin gets stretched and the collagen loses its strength. Initially, the color of these lines is pink or red. It changes into silver over time. When it comes to treating these marks, you need to know that stretch marks are permanent. They can become less apparent but can’t disappear completely. Prevention is one of the best treatments for stretch marks.
To prevent these marks, you need to improve the elasticity of the skin. Moisturization is one of the best ways to achieve it. There are several hydrating emollients, lotions, and oils that help prevent the occurrence of stretch marks. In this article, we will see natural remedies that hydrate your skin and fade stretch marks naturally.
About Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are common in both men and women of all age groups. They happen mostly when the shape of the skin changes fast due to weight gain. In women, it is quite obvious to happen after delivering a baby. Stretch marks are normally seen on the thighs, waist, lower backs, breasts, hips, arms, and buttocks.
Whatever be the reason, these marks are nowhere going to harm your health in any way. However, these stubborn marks can lower your confidence and self-esteem.
They will appear as a thin red line on the skin that changes in color and texture compared to the surrounding skin layer. They look like groups of parallel lines on the skin. With time, stretch marks tend to lighten and become white, shiny, and smooth. The scarring accompanied by the stretch marks does not go away completely.
People often resort to cosmetic beauty treatments to remove stretch marks. However, they fail to realize that these chemical-laden beauty treatments have their own share of side-effects. To save yourself of the damaging side-effects, natural home remedies are the right options to consider. There are a few remedies that help reduce the visibility of stretch marks and speed-up the fading process.
How The Stretch Marks Are Formed?
When the dermis layer tears, then the blood vessels present below the skin show up. This makes the marks appear red at the beginning. After some time, the blood vessels become smaller, the fat present below the skin becomes clearly visible. The marks transform into silvery-white color.
Causes Of Stretch Marks
Here are some of the causes that lead to the formation of stretch marks:
1. Pregnancy
With the growth of the baby inside the womb, the fibers of the skin become elastic and soft. The skin begins to stretch to accommodate the size of the developing baby. The possible areas where a pregnant woman may notice stretch marks are the tummy, breasts, and thighs.
2. Puberty
During puberty, you will find youngsters experience a sudden change in height, size, and shape. They might quickly lose or gain weight. This immediate contraction and stretch of the skin result in the formation of stretch marks on buttocks, breasts, and thighs.
3. Weight Gain
Putting on excess weight is another cause for stretch marks. Just like weight gain, these marks can also happen when you shed unwanted weight from the body. In other words, the fluctuation of weight causes strain on the skin that appears in the form of stretch marks.
4. Corticosteroids
People who apply corticosteroid enriched creams and lotions to treat specific skin ailments may also develop stretch marks. It happens because corticosteroid reduces the collagen levels in the skin. This, in turn, decreases the natural ability of the skin to stretch. The result is that you become more susceptible to developing these marks.
5. Genetics
If you notice these marks, then it is quite possible that they are because of your genes. If your mother or father has had this issue, then there are higher chances that you may also develop it in your lifetime.
6. Health conditions
Adrenal gland disorders can also contribute to the formation of stretch marks. In these disorders, the body overproduces the stress hormone named cortisol that forms these marks on the skin. Marfan syndrome is a disorder that results due to a defective gene that makes the skin and connective tissues weak. It also reduces their elasticity and increases the possibility of development of these stretch marks.
7. Weight Lifting
Weight lifting results in the quick development of muscle density in the body. Misuse of anabolic steroids causes an acceleration in the build-up of muscles that, in turn, leads to the formation of stretch marks in the body.
8. Breast Augmentation Surgery
People who perform this surgery can also develop stretch marks. This is because this surgical method stretches and expands the skin of your breasts that, in turn, leads to the appearance of these marks.
Different Stages / Types Of Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are classified into three types:
1. Red Stretch Marks
This is the initial stage of the stretch marks. They are freshly formed on the skin. It is the result of the stretching of the dermal layer. This causes the blood vessels to show up on the top layer of the skin. It is best to treat stretch marks at this point when they are new and fresh.
2. White / Silvery Stretch Marks
This is the most stubborn stage of stretch marks. They are the mature form of marks and require more time and effort to fade away.
Home Remedies For Stretch Marks
The best way to treat stretch marks is to hydrate the skin. It makes it less prone to developing these marks. Nature has provided us several wonderful moisturizing oils that gently nourish your skin and lighten them.
1. Water
The first step towards removing stretch marks is to adequately hydrate your body. Drink a minimum of eight to ten glasses of water every day. Water helps restore the elasticity of the skin. It makes it soft and supple, thereby preventing its occurrence.
2. Eat Vitamin C foods
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that boosts collagen production in the skin. It not just increases the flexibility of the skin but also helps fight off free radicals and expel accumulated toxins from the body.
Eating vitamin C foods on a daily basis makes your skin soft, smooth, and supple. Some of the best sources of Vitamin C are lemon, tomatoes, Indian gooseberry, strawberry, berries, cabbage, peppers, oranges, kiwi fruit, peas, melons, pineapple, spinach, turnips, and broccoli.
3. Include Healthy Fats
Healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids nourish your skin and make it moist, radiant, and elastic. Some of the best sources of good fats are flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, shrimps, chia seeds, sardines, cod liver, salmon, soybean, walnuts, tofu. Regular consumption of these foods keeps stretch marks at bay.
4. Apply Coconut Oil
Stretch marks on dry skin or moistureless skin can take the long-time to treat. The simplest and fastest way to lighten stretch marks is to hydrate the skin. Coconut oil is touted to be one of the best oils to treat stretch marks fast.
The oil moisturizes the skin and prevents the formation of stretch marks on the surface. Massage the affected area on the skin with virgin coconut oil for five to ten minutes. Wash your skin after two hours. Do it twice a day. You can even leave the oil on the skin overnight and wash it on the next morning.
5. Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is another potent moisturizer. Add a few more natural ingredients to increase its effectiveness Prepare a paste of half a cup of cocoa butter, half a cup of shea butter, and one teaspoon of vitamin E oil. Apply it on the impacted region on the skin. Wash it after two hours. Repeat the process twice daily.
6. Shea Butter
Shea butter is another effective natural emollient. It is helpful to moisturize the skin and fade stretch marks with time. Melt the butter for some seconds and apply it onto the skin. Leave it on overnight. Wash your skin the next day. Repeat the process daily before going to bed.
7. Castor Oil
Castor oil is a natural emollient. It has ricinoleic acid that lightens the color of stretch marks. Massage the oil onto the skin. Leave it on overnight. Wash it off the next day.
8. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a great moisturizing agent. It promotes the development of collagen in the skin. This property helps enhance the appearance of these marks. Mix one tsp of vitamin E oil two tbsp of fresh aloe vera gel and apply it uniformly on the skin. Let it stay for an hour. Wash it off. Repeat the procedure twice daily.
9. Olive Oil
Olive oil is packed with vitamin E. It softens and hydrates your skin. Studies have shown that daily application of the oil on your stretch marks will reduce their color. It is also a great way to nourish and boost your skin health. Massage with this oil and leave it on for fifteen minutes. Wash it off. Do it twice daily.
10. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E is the best vitamin for skincare. It has remarkable anti-inflammatory properties that keep skin issues at bay. It also keeps the skin soft. You can use either Vitamin E capsules or Vitamin E oil for this purpose. Massage it on the skin daily and leave it overnight.
11. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel works as an astringent. It is conventionally used to soothe your skin. It is also popular to lessen the intensity of post-pregnancy stretch marks. Add half a cup of distilled water in one to two tablespoons of witch hazel. Spray it on the affected skin. Keep it on your skin for fifteen minutes so that it dries. Wash it off with a good cleanser. As witch hazel is an astringent, you should moisturize the area. Repeat the steps two times daily.
12. Vaseline
Petroleum jelly is also effective in getting rid of stubborn stretch marks. It deeply moisturizes the skin. This provides adequate moistness to your skin and helps maintain the necessary hydration levels of the skin.
As Vaseline is thick, a little amount is needed to show the results. Massage it on the impacted region. Let it stay overnight. Wash your skin with a mild cleanser on the next day. Do it daily.
13. Coffee Scrub
Just like moisturization, exfoliation is also needed to fade away the marks. Coffee scrub has a granular texture that makes it a great exfoliator. It helps make the skin soft and supple. It helps fade away the scars.
To exfoliate your skin, you will need to add one tbsp of coffee grounds and add the same quantity of shea butter. Mix the ingredients well. Massage it on the face gently on the impacted region for five minutes. Rinse it off with warm water. Apply a good quality moisturizer. Perform the steps daily.
14. Almond Oil
Almond oil is a good source of vitamins E and vitamin D. It is effective to maintain the flexibility of the skin. It deeply nourishes and moisturizes the skin. Message your skin for five to ten minutes with one or two tablespoons of almond oil. Let it stay overnight. Now clean the region the next day. Do it once or twice daily to get a visible reduction in the marks.
15. Tea Tree Oil
This oil is touted for its anti-bacterial and healing properties. It is speeds up wound healing and removes any type of skin infection. Add two to three drops of this oil in one tablespoon of almond, olive, or coconut oil. Massage this oil for 5-7 minutes so that it absorbs completely into the skin. Let it stay overnight. Do it every day.
16. Argan Oil
Argan oil enhances the hydration levels and elasticity of the skin. It also keeps the skin healthy. Daily massage with Argan oil will slowly reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Allow it to stay overnight. Do it once daily.
17. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is basically a wax ester. It moisturizes the skin and keeps it soft. Apply it on your scars. It will moisturize them and lighten their color naturally. Take a tablespoon of jojoba oil and massage it onto the impacted region for five to ten minutes. Let it stay overnight. Do it daily.
18. Lemon Juice and Cucumber
Cucumber is known to clean the skin while giving a cooling effect. Lemon, on the other hand, is a strong astringent. It shows a remarkable bleaching effect that brightens the skin. The application of only lemon juice can cause skin irritation and redness.
So, it is best to add it to cucumber juice. This combination helps fade the color of marks naturally. To prepare this recipe, you need to mix a tbsp of lemon juice in the juice of ½ cucumber. Apply it on stretch marks and let it stay for fifteen minutes. Wash it off. Do it daily.
19. Apricot Oil
Apricot oil has plenty of fatty acids and vitamin E. It moisturizes the skin and makes it soft. It eventually helps lessen the visibility of stretch marks. Massage your skin with one to two tablespoons of apricot oil for five minutes. Let it stay overnight. Do this daily.
20. Potato Juice
Potato juice is very effective and commonly used in the preparation of home remedies. It remarkably helps lighten the skin tone and diminish their appearance. It is an effective treatment to cure dark circles, and used to remove stretch marks. Potato juice is also a very inexpensive and safe treatment.
Potatoes have ample amounts of skin lightening enzymes that lighten blemishes and scars present on the skin. The presence of catecholase in potato works as a bleaching agent. It heals the stretch marks and gives you glowing skin.
How Long Does It Take To Remove Stretch Marks?
For people who are dealing with the annoying stretch marks, there is some good news for them. These marks usually fade with passing time. You need to patiently wait for six to twelve months to see a gradual reduction in their visibility. During this time, you need to take proper care of your skin.
Massage the affected region with vitamin E augmented Argan oil. It helps improve the flexibility and elasticity of the skin. It also heals the ruptured tissues and helps them fade on its own with passing time.
Regular exfoliation is also essential at periodic time intervals. Lemon juice is an excellent natural bleaching agent. It helps lessen visibility effectively. This juice contains skin lighting enzymes that reduce the skin color by several shades. Add castor oil, Aloe Vera gel, black tea, and apricots, to lemon juice to hasten the bleaching process.
Conclusion
There is no permanent cure for stretch marks. Proper care and treatment can definitely reduce their appearance. It requires a consistent skincare regime and firm discipline. By keeping the skin moist, you can preserve the elastin that your skin requires to prevent it from scarring. Topical application of creams and oils goes a long way in keeping the skin moisturized and reduce the possibility of stretch marks. The above easy natural remedies will help fade the appearance of stretch marks.
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