Home Remedies to Reduce Stretch Marks

The most common problem among young adults is that of stretch marks i.e. the scars that forms on skin with an off-colour hue. The main cause of stretch marks is the tearing of the dermis, which may diminish over time but does not disappear completely. But there is nothing to worry about it because there are few things you can undertake to prevent stretch marks as well as reduce the visibility of both the new and the old marks.

Causes of stretch marks:

“Stretch marks are scars that can form when collagen and elastin fibres tear during puberty, pregnancy, or significant weight gain or loss that occurs in a short period of time,” says Francesca Fusco, New York City dermatologist.

Stretch marks mostly occur due to the following reasons:

• Performing intense physical activities
• Sudden weight gain or weight loss
• Pregnancy
• Puberty
• Poor diet lacking important nutrients
• Hereditary
• Sudden changes in lifestyle
• Strain and exertion
• Consuming oral steroids etc.

These marks are more likely to develop in pregnant woman with fair color. If your mother has stretch marks, your chances of getting these marks increases.

Stretch marks do not need any medical treatment as they are risk-free, they can heal in general but the appearance never goes even if these marks disappear.

Best Home Remedies to Reduce Stretch Marks

Water

Water being an internal moisturizer, softens the skin and keeps the tissues hydrated. Drinking 8-10 glasses everyday will surely help.

Proper Nutrition

Vitamins A, C, D, E and K help to nourish the skin. Eating foods rich in fatty acids, zinc and silica also protects your skin from stretch marks. Consuming low fat dairy products, fish, liver, citrus fruit, meat, tomatoes, almonds, pumpkin seeds, carrots, spinach, green cabbage, etc also helps in replenishing the skin.

Tissue Salts

In order to maintain body’s water balance, consumption of tissue salts like Calcium floride, Calcium Phosphate etc. is also necessary.

Workout Regime

Exercising regularly helps to tone your body and reduces these marks. Moreover stretch marks are more clearly visible on loose skin rather than toned skin.

Exfoliate Naturally

You can use homemade exfoliators like oatmeal, apricot scrub or baking soda for brushing. Exfoliator can also be made with 5 tablespoons of scrub, 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel 1/2 teaspoon vitamin E and 1 teaspoon cocoa butter. After brushing the stretch marks with the above exfoliator, wash off after sometime.

Moisturize

Massaging the stretch marks with natural organic oils will moisturize your skin and gradually fade away these marks. Oils which can be used for the same purpose are Aloe vera, virgin olive oil, Jojobo oil, Castor oil, Emu oil, Lanolin oil etc.

Vitamin E Oil

Application of Vitamin E oil on stretch marks helps in rejuvenating the skin and lightens the stretch marks. You can also mix this oil with olive oil or castor oil along with scented herbs like mint, lavender, basil, and massage for few minutes before sleeping.

Oil Massages

Mix one ounce of carrier oil like avocado, sweet almond, jojoba, grape seed with lavender and few drops of chamomile and massage the stretch marks using this oil in order to fade these marks. It is also effective to fade the marks caused by some injuries.

Vitamin K cream

Vitamin K cream helps to reduce the severity of these marks within 1-2 weeks

Cocoa Butter

Mix 1/2 cup cocoa butter with 1 tsp of apricot kernel oil, 1 tsp of vitamin E oil and 2 tsp of grated beeswax and heat the mixture. Pour it in an airtight container and refrigerate. Once the mixture is cold, apply it on to the stretch marks.

Olive Oil

Massage the stretch marks by warm olive oil and leave for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can mix olive oil and coconut oil in equal proportion and add few drops of lemon juice to it. Apply this mixture on the stretch marks followed by cocoa butter. This remedy will lighten your stretch mark.

Flaxseed Oil

Mix olive oil and flaxseed oil in equal ratio and apply on the affected area. You can also mix flaxseed oil to yogurt, shakes or salad.

Castor Oil

Mix Castor oil with rose hip seed oil, tea tree oil and vitamin E oil and apply it over stretch marks for half an hour. This will help in reducing the marks.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is acidic by nature. This is one of the most important property which helps in dealing with stretch marks and other various scars on your skin. You can fresh lemon juice on your marks in circular motions. Leave it for around 10 minutes so that it gets properly absorbed by your skin and then later wash it off with warm water.

Few other Creams that may be Applied:

A mixture of 200 ml unscented aqueous cream, 20 ml collagen cream, 10 ml olive oil, 5 ml coconut oil and 5 ml tea tree oil is very beneficial for eczema sufferers.

Aloe Vera Gel

Since aloe vera gel possesses healing and soothing properties, a mixture of 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup aloe vera gel, oil from 10 vitamin E capsules and oil from 5 vitamin A capsules is effective for reducing stretch marks. All you need to do is to blend this mixture and store it in airtight container in refrigerator. Rub this mixture over stretch marks.

Vicks

Vicks can also be applied onto the stretch marks. Mix lemon juice, aloe vera gel and vicks and heat it for 5 minutes. Apply over these marks and after 10 minutes, wash it off with cocoa butter.

Hide your Marks

Hide your stretch marks with full clothing or body makeup till these marks fades. Moreover, try to de-tan your skin because stretch marks looks more emphasized on tanned skin.