Stretch marks develop when the skin changes its shape due to weight gain or growth. However, they don’t indicate something wrong with a person’s health. Anybody can get them, regardless of their gender. Nevertheless, they are prevalent during puberty and pregnancy. This blog article explains how to remove stretch marks using natural remedies.
Introduction
Stretch marks appear as purple or red lines on the skin depending on its texture. While they may fade over time, many people often ask, can stretch marks be removed? That’s because they want to remove them as soon as they appear. While there’s no cure-all ingredient for these marks, some home remedies can minimize their appearance.
What Are Stretch Marks?
Before learning how to get rid of stretch marks, it’s crucial to know what they are. Stretch marks are slightly sunken, discolored, scar-like lines that appear when the skin shrinks or stretches quickly. Most of them happen because of weight gain, pregnancy, weight loss, or bodybuilding. They mostly occur in the abdominal area, thighs, breasts, hips, lower back, upper arms, and buttocks. Although they don’t hurt, stretch marks can affect a person’s mental health. Hence, many people want to know how to remove stretch marks permanently.
12 Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Stretch Marks
1. Sugar Scrub (Exfoliation)
Sugar is a prevalent exfoliator and an excellent homeopathic microdermabrasion ingredient. Microdermabrasion is a dermatologist-approved and effective method for lightening stretch marks. However, you can make a sugar scrub at home and use it as a stretch marks treatment. Exfoliating the affected areas with this natural scrub improves blood flow while speeding up the skin’s healing capacity. You can mix one tablespoon of sugar with a few drops of essential oil to make an exfoliating paste. Exfoliate the affected area for a few minutes and then rinse with clean water.
2. Aloe Vera Gel (Hydration)
As a natural moisturizer, aloe vera gel helps with skin hydration. It helps you restore the health of your skin tissues. Using aloe vera gel is a must-try DIY treatment for anybody who wants to know how to cure stretch marks at home. Mix fresh aloe vera gel extract with two tablespoons of coconut oil, and apply the mixture to your stretch marks daily.
3. Coconut Oil (Moisturization)
Coconut oil can speed up wound healing. Hence, some people use it for stretch mark removal. By applying virgin coconut oil to the stretch marks, you can reduce their appearance. Some dermatologists recommend massaging the abdomen with coconut oil for expecting mothers, since it can prevent stretch marks and prevent scarring.
4. Cocoa Butter (Moisturization)
Cocoa butter is a prevalent home remedy for various skin conditions. Besides improving skin health, cocoa butter minimizes stretch marks. You can apply it to the stretch marks and leave it overnight. Dermatologists recommend using it from conception for pregnant women and continuing after delivery to remove stretch marks permanently.
5. Lemon Juice (Lightening- Be Cautious of Sun Exposure)
Lemon juice helps heal and minimize the scars. Due to its bleaching properties, lemon juice can also lighten your skin. Hence, it will heal the skin, reduce its redness, and make stretch marks less visible. You can use it with cucumber or baking soda and apply the mix to the affected area. Cover it and rinse with clean water after 20 minutes.
6. Potato Juice (Lightening- Be Cautious of Irritation)
Potato juice is also among the most effective home remedies for stretch marks. Potatoes have skin-lightening enzymes and starch which can lighten blemishes and scars. Also, they have catecholase, a bleaching agent, which can heal scars to brighten the skin. You can create this juice by grating and squeezing a potato. Apply it over your stretch marks before washing it off with cold water after 30 minutes.
7. Jojoba Oil (Moisturization)
Jojoba oil boosts collagen while combating wrinkles and fine lines. It improves hydration, elasticity, and smoothness. Moreover, it helps reduce the fat under the skin. Over time, jojoba oil helps with stretch marks and scar removal.
8. Shea Butter (Moisturization)
Shea butter is an organic extract with excellent nourishing, sun-protecting, emollient, and hydrating properties that nurture your skin to good health. Stretch marks are a type of scarring, whose damage can extend deeper into the tissues. Shea butter can make stretch marks look better due to its plumping and hydrating effect, which lessens old stretch marks’ wrinkling.
9. Hyaluronic Acid (Hydration)
Hyaluronic acid protects fibroblasts or collagen-producing cells from destruction while under pressure or tension. Pressure and tension are the conditions that cause the appearance of stretch marks, although experts are yet to know the exact mechanism. You can apply this acid directly to the skin or in lotions, creams, and other skincare products.
10. Microdermabrasion (In-Office Treatment)
Microdermabrasion is a skin exfoliation process. A professional uses a handheld wand to apply an abrasive substance and scrub the skin gently to remove the dead cells. This process enhances the skin contour while revealing smooth, new skin.
11. Retinol Creams (Consult a Doctor Before Use)
Retinol or vitamin A is a prevalent ingredient of several over-the-counter anti-aging creams. It improves the skin texture, wrinkles, and hydration levels. These creams can improve your stretch marks, although you may use them regularly for up to six months to see noticeable results. Also, consult a doctor before using retinal creams because they may have side effects like irritation, light sensitivity, and discoloration.
Medical Treatments for Stretch Marks
Some medical treatments can also improve stretch marks’ appearance. However, they may not make them disappear completely. Such treatments include the following:
- Laser skin resurfacing: This treatment involves directing concentrated light beams on the stretch marks to remove the affected skin layers and stimulate the development of new collagen fibers. Hence, the treatment creates smoother skin.
- Microneedling: This treatment entails poking the skin with tiny needles. The punctures that the needles create stimulate the growth of new elastin and collagen fibers, creating firmer skin.
Knowing how to treat stretch marks can help you remove them without visiting a dermatologist. However, they may disappear without your intervention if you follow a healthy skincare routine and eat healthy food.
You might also like: HOW TO FADE LINGERING ACNE SCARS
Who Gets Stretch Marks?
While anybody can get stretch marks, your chances of getting them are higher if:
- You are pregnant and are Hispanic, Black, South, or East Asian.
- You lose or gain excess weight suddenly.
- You experience prednisone long-term.
- You suffer from Marfan Syndrome or Cushing’s Syndrome.
- Your family has a history of stretch marks.
- You experience a growth spurt in your adolescent years.
- Your muscles grow bigger rapidly due to weight lifting or bodybuilding.
Conclusion
There’s no single cure that removes stretch marks completely. However, the above tips on how to reduce stretch marks can lighten the scar-like lines and give your skin a better appearance. Try them at home or consult a dermatologist to know the most effective and safe treatment for you.
