Stretch marks happen when the skin gets overstretched. You cannot permanently erase the stretch marks. With time, you can notice a reduction in the color of the mark. If you want to speed up the fading process, some natural ingredients can help you.

Aloe Vera is one of the simplest, affordable, and effective natural ingredients. Studies show that regular application of the gel can lighten these marks in two to three months. This article tells you more about stretch marks and the right ways to use them.

What Are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are characterized as unpleasant scars on the skin. They generally occur on different parts of the body such as the abdominal areas, upper arm, thighs, buttocks, breast, etc.

Though these marks are not painful but can cause discomfort and uneasiness in the public setting. The scars generally have pink, red, or purple color. They can slowly fade away from silvery gray to white color.

Causes Of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are caused due to tearing of the skin fibers. The connective tissues get overextended beyond flexibility. This happens due to the expansion or contraction of skin that causes the weakening of collagen in the skin. This, in turn, leads to the formation of fine scars on the dermis layer of the skin.

Changes in the hormone levels around pregnancy and puberty help weaken fibers on the skin. This makes the skin paler, damaged, and prone to stretch marks.  Other reasons for stretch marks are sudden gain or loss in body weight, stress, genes, etc.

Though stretch marks don’t signify any existing health issue. However, severe or highly visible marks can cause one to lose self-esteem in a person. Looking at it, the market is full of creams, lotions, and oil that claims to eliminate stretch marks completely. However, the chemicals and artificial ingredients present in the product causes more harm than good to your skin.

About Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is an African plant that is known for its therapeutic benefits. It belongs to the family of Xanthorrhoeaceae. It is one of the best gifts from nature. It has been renowned for centuries for its incredible benefits to the skin, and hair. Aloe Vera is a cure for innumerable health and skin issues.

It is a remarkable healing agent. This potent herb has approx. 20 minerals, 18 amino acids, 75 nutrients, 200 active enzymes, and 12 vitamins. It has a short stem and green colored fleshy leaves that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it great for skin and hair.

Aloe vera is also effective in healing burns and fighting dental plaque in the body. This ingredient is also beneficial to treat constipation, loss of weight, and mouth ulcers in the body. You can consume it in the form of a powder, juice, or gel.

What Does Aloe Vera Do To Your Skin?

Aloe vera has a long-term association with the skin. It possesses remarkable skin healing properties that effectively treat stretch marks. It works in the following ways:

• Boosts synthesis of collagen that helps in the healing of wounds, and scars.
• It is a potent moisturizer that helps heal stretch marks. It contains mucopolysaccharides that attach moisture to the skin. In this way, it softens the skin and enhances its integrity.
• Aloe Vera also possesses remarkable UV protection properties. Regular application of the gel prevents your skin from becoming hypersensitive due to UV rays. In this way, it prevents redness, rashes, and itching.

How Is Aloe Vera Beneficial For Treating Stretch Marks?

Aloe Vera has been used for ages to eliminate stretch marks naturally. The herb is loaded with antioxidants that help reduce inflammation on the skin. It is a great remedy to deal with scars and burns on the skin. The herb secretes an ultra-moisturizing juice that hydrates the skin.

Fresh Aloe Vera gel helps repair and rejuvenate the skin. It may take a while to get lighten the deep and dark-colored stretch marks on the skin. By being diligent in the application of inflammatory Aloe Vera juice, you may notice quick healing of damaged skin tissues and fading of the mark.

Here are some more reasons that make Aloe Vera gel an effective natural treatment for stretch marks:

• It has an abundance of essential nutrients and active constituents that make it a good anti-septic agent. It relieves you from the scars, wounds, burns, rashes, stretch marks, and cuts on the skin.
• Daily application of fresh Aloe Vera gel helps in the repair of the injured collagen tissues of the dermis layer of the skin. It also helps lessen the appearance of stretch marks on the skin.
• Aloe Vera gel is a rich composition of water and skin-vitalizing nutrients that aid in the nourishment of skin fibers.
• Aloe vera has two hormones, Gibberellins, and Auxins which exhibits growth hormones and remarkable anti-inflammatory attributes. It helps stimulate the renewal of skin cells and maintain a natural secretion of collagen production on the skin.
• It has deep penetration qualities that preserve and nourish the skin from the damage caused due to stretch marks. In this way, not just it treats stretch marks but also prevents their reoccurrence on the skin.

What Are The Best Ways To Use Aloe Vera To Treat Stretch Marks?

Aloe Vera, either used alone or with skin-beneficial natural ingredients, helps moisturize the skin. It makes the skin less prone to breakage that could damage the skin and result in the formation of stretch marks.

1. Aloe Vera Gel

Take one aloe vera leaf. Make a few slits to obtain the thick gel. Apply it directly on the stretch marks. Rub it for one minute. Let it stay for around fifteen minutes. Rinse your skin with lukewarm water. Repeat the process daily.

2. Cod Liver Oil And Aloe Vera

Cod liver oil is rich in healthy fats that help effectively hydrate your skin. The oil also has plenty of antioxidants that help fade the marks naturally.

Combine fresh Aloe Vera gel and Cod Liver Oil in equal proportions to make a smooth paste. Apply it on the stretch marks daily. Leave it for a few minutes and wash your skin with normal water. Do this daily till you notice a reduction in your stretch marks.

3. Coffee Grounds and Aloe Vera

Coffee is a potent scrubber. It has caffeine that shows remarkable antioxidant properties. The addition of coffee to the fresh Aloe Vera mix accelerates the lightening of scars.

Add coffee to the Aloe vera gel to make a thick paste. Apply it uniformly over the stretch marks so as to cover it uniformly. Let the paste stays on the skin for twenty minutes. Clean the area with lukewarm water. Repeat the process daily for a month to see a visible reduction in the marks.

4. Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera

Coconut oil is touted for its healing, nourishing, and skin regeneration properties. The oil moisturizes the skin and stimulates the production of elastin and collagen. By encouraging the growth of new cells, this combination helps get rid of stretch marks naturally.

Mix coconut oil and aloe vera gel in equal amounts and prepare a smooth paste. Apply it on the skin before going to bed. You can even massage your skin for 2-3 minutes. Let it stay overnight. Rinse your skin with plain water. Repeat the process daily till you see improvements in your stretch marks.

5. Lemon Juice and Aloe Vera

Lemon juice is a powerful skin exfoliator. Full of antioxidants, lemon effectively cleans the skin and lightens the complexion. High in acidic nature, lemon is effective in getting rid of the darkest of marks easily.

To use this remedy, add the aloe vera gel to fresh lemon juice. Now apply it on the stretch mark like a mask. After when it dries, wash the skin with lukewarm water. As lemon can take away the oiliness on the skin, you may notice that your skin has become dry. To prevent it from happening, apply a good quality moisturizer to keep the skin moist.

6. Avocado And Aloe Vera

Avocado has the maximum amount of healthy fats in it. It moisturizes the skin and serves as a good base in any natural home remedy.

To prepare this recipe, add the avocado pulp and Aloe Vera gel in equal amounts. Mix well to form a smooth lump-free paste. Spread a good amount of the mixture on the marks. Rub your skin for 2-3 minutes. After twenty minutes, rinse it off. Repeat the process once a day for two weeks.

7. Glycerin And Aloe Vera

Glycerin is one of the best ingredients to use in the winter season. It has a remarkable ability to hydrate the skin. Mix one teaspoon of glycerine in one tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Apply the mixture to the stretch marks before going to bed. Let it stay the whole night. In the morning, wash your skin with plain water. Do this daily for fifteen days.

8. Castor Oil And Aloe Vera

Castor oil has a good amount of ricinoleic acid in it that deeply conditions the skin. It makes the skin moisturized. The oil also possesses antibacterial qualities that keep the skin free from infection.

To prepare this remedy, you need to dissolve half a teaspoon of castor oil in a tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel. Make a thick paste. Massage it on the skin and let it stay overnight for 30 minutes. Apply a good quality moisturizer. Repeat this process once daily for 15 days.

9. Honey and Aloe Vera

Honey is a great natural emollient, anti-bacterial, and humectant agent. It has the ability to improve moisture on the skin. To use the remedy, you need to mix honey and Aloe Vera gel in equal amounts.

Apply this paste on the stretch mark. Rub the area a little for five minutes. Let it stay for 20 minutes. Wash off the skin with luke-warm water. Apply a good quality moisturizer. Repeat the process two times daily.

10. Cocoa Butter and Aloe Vera

Cocoa Butter is an effective moisturizer that deeply moisturizes the skin. It makes your skin supple. The addition of powerful skin healing and skin moisturizing agent can help remove the stretch marks away.

To use the remedy, add a tablespoon of aloe vera gel and cocoa butter in a bowl. Mix well. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to increase its effectiveness to a greater extent. Massage the paste uniformly on the affected area. Leave it on the skin for ten minutes. Repeat the remedy two times a day to get visible results.

11. Vitamin E Oil and Aloe Vera

The abundance of antioxidants in Vitamin E oil makes it an effective natural remedy for treating stretch marks. The oil repairs and renews skin and makes it healthy.

Squeeze the liquid from two vitamin E capsules. Mix it in a tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Make a paste. Apply it on the affected skin. After 15 minutes, wash the skin with luke-warm water. Repeat this remedy two times a day.

12. Homemade Aloe Vera Lotion

This lotion is made with the goodness of Aloe Vera and skin-boosting oils like jojoba oil and coconut oil. This composition helps fade the stretch marks effectively.

Take a bowl. Add three cups of Aloe vera butter, half a cup of Jojoba oil, and half a cup of Coconut oil it. Mix everything well. Apply this mixture thrice a day on your stretch marks to get good relief. Besides the lightening of marks, you will also notice that your skin will become healthier and moisturized.

13. Olive Oil And Aloe Vera

Olive oil is a wonderful addition to Aloe Vera gel in the treatment of stretch marks. It offers a good amount of hydration to your skin. It helps heal and repair your skin.

Add olive oil and Aloe Vera gel in equal amounts and prepare a paste. Massage your skin with the paste for some time. Let it stay overnight. Rinse it off with plain water the next morning.  Repeat the process daily. You can even store the leftover paste in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for a week.

14. Almond Oil, Aloe Vera, And Honey Mask

Almond oil and honey are the two best skin moisturizers. Rich in antioxidants, and healthy fats, this remedy provides immense moisturization to your skin. Almond oil is rich in Vitamin E that helps repair the marks and lighten its color naturally.

To prepare this remedy, combine a cup of fresh Aloe vera pulp, two teaspoons of honey, and Almond oil each. Add some warm water to get the right paste-like consistency. Apply and massage this mixture on your stretch marks. After half an hour, you can rinse your skin with warm water. Repeat the process two to three times a week for best results.

Side Effects Of Aloe Vera

People who are allergic to Aloe Vera or have sensitive skin may experience some form of side effects after its application. It can be visible in the form of:

• Burning sensation
• Redness
• Dermatitis

The allergic reactions could be due to the presence of compounds such as barbaloin, and aloin in it. So, it is advised that you always perform a patch test before you apply it to the skin. In case of experiencing the above reactions, you should discontinue its use.

Furthermore, if you are taking steroid drugs, then the application of Aloe Vera can cause increased absorption of these drugs. This, in turn, can lead to a reduction in the potassium levels and cause side effects due to digitoxin, and digoxin.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before performing any of these remedies.

What Else Can You Do To Lighten Stretch Marks?

In addition to the above topical Aloe Vera treatments, the below tips will also help improve your stretch marks.

1. Regular Exercise

A combination of strength training and cardio exercise will help your skin to stay firm and does not lose or gain weight fast. In this way, it will prevent the appearance of stretch marks on the skin.

2. Stay Adequately Hydrated

When you drink water well, your skin will feel hydrated and appear moist. There will be lesser chances of breakage, and dryness that could lead to stretch marks and other types of skin woes. Hence you should always drink plenty of water every day in every season.

3. Eat A Nutritious Diet

Diet also plays a role in the reduction of skin damage and prevention of stretch marks on the body. Proper intake of nutrients helps in the protection, rejuvenation, and repair of skin cells. This, in turn, helps you effectively reduce stretch marks.

4. Wear Makeup To Conceal The Marks

The natural remedies will take time to fade the stretch marks. For immediate relief from the marks, the right make-up can help. Foundation or highlighter helps camouflage the stretch marks on the skin and gives it a flawless look.

Conclusion

Aloe vera and skincare are closely linked to each other. It has remarkable abilities that help heal, and revitalize skin cells.  It is 100% natural and safe to use on the skin. It makes the skin healthy and gives a natural glow to it. The above remedies can lighten your stretch marks but can’t vanish them. If you find any discomfort after using these remedies, you should consult a doctor immediately.