Top 10 Best Ways to Get Rid of Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are scarring on the skin caused by the stretching or tearing of the dermis. They usually occur when a person starts to gain weight, which is why it is a common occurrence on pregnant women, especially during the third trimester. This is when the area around the belly really expands and stretches out, causing the dermis to tear that results to marks that are of a different hue.
The initial color of the stretch marks depends on your natural skin tone. Therefore, it could start off as pink, brown, or dark brown, then it will slowly fade to a lighter or silvery color. According to experts, the appearance of stretch marks can be minimized if you apply treatment on its early stages. You can also prevent too many marks from forming by heavily moisturizing the areas around your belly, thighs, hips, buttocks, lower back, and breasts during the pregnancy. Moisturizers will keep your skin hydrated and improved its elasticity so it can stretch without forming those marks.
However, due to genetics or other factors, stretch marks can still form, so you will have to focus on treating them early on before they reach the later stages where they will be more difficult to treat. Having stretch marks are unsightly. This is why most mothers avoid wearing swimwear anymore because they are conscious of how obvious their marks are. As a solution, here are the top 10 ways to get rid of stretch marks naturally after pregnancy.
1. Potato Juice
Potato has vitamins and minerals that will help restore your skin cells. To use, simply get a potato and cut it into thick slices. Rub a slice of the potato over the stretch mark, making sure that the liquid from the potato covers the affected area. Leave it on to dry and you can then wash it with lukewarm water.
2. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a good substitute for your regular skin lotion. It is easily absorbed by the skin so you will not have any greasy after-feel at all. It also means that it can penetrate your skin and help heal your stretch marks from the deeper layers. The best way to use olive oil is to apply it on your skin after your bath to help keep the skin hydrated and to lock the moisture in. Do this regularly and you will notice that the marks will slowly diminish in time.
3. Sugar
Sugar is a natural exfoliate. It is often used to exfoliate the face in order to remove dead skin cells, but it can also be used on your stretch marks. Here is the procedure. Simply mix some sugar (brown or white), almond oil, and lemon juice to form a paste. Rub this paste on your stretch marks about ten minutes before you take a bath so that it can stay on the area for some time. You can then rinse it off during your shower. You will notice that your skin will become smoother and it will also lighten in due time, thus diminishing the appearance of stretch marks.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains lots of essential nutrients that help heal skin cells. In fact, it is a good remedy for minor burns and scrapes. Therefore, it can also be good for getting rid of stretch marks. To use, simply cut a leaf of aloe vera in the middle and rub its gel on your stretch marks. Leave it on for about 15 minutes or more so that the essential nutrients will be able to penetrate your skin. It is even safe to leave on overnight since once the gel dries it will cause no discomfort at all.
5. Castor Oil
Castor oil has also shown some effectiveness in treating stretch marks. Just rub the oil generously on the affected area then cover the area with a plastic wrap. For better results, warm the area by rolling a bottle of hot water over it or you may also use a hot pack. Do this for about half an hour before rinsing off.
6. Egg Whites
Eggs are rich in protein, which is also good for your skin. This may be a bit messy to apply, but they are very effective at fading stretch marks. To use, separate the yolk from the egg whites. Only use the egg whites on your stretch marks. Apply directly and let it dry before rinsing. You can do this thrice a day. In fact, you can use the rest of the egg white on your face too to help tighten your pores.
7. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can help fade away stretch marks so that they can become less noticeable. Just squeeze out the juice of a lemon fruit and rub it on your stretch marks in circular motions. Let it dry on your skin for better results before rinsing it off.
8. Water
Another way to get rid of stretch marks is to keep your skin hydrated, so that it can maintain its elasticity. Hydrate your skin from within by drinking at least 10 glasses of water each day. This will also help detoxify your body and clean up your pores. By keeping your skin elastic and soft, other forms of treatments for stretch marks will give better and faster results too.
9. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is known to be good for nourishing the skin, which is why it is often found as an ingredient in most skin products. To make your own concoction, just mix vitamin E oil with other essential oils, like avocado oil, almond oil, or castor oil. You can then use this mixture to massage on your stretch marks daily. You can get the vitamin E oil from the capsules that you can buy in your local pharmacy. Simply prick the capsules and squeeze out its contents.
10. Shea Butter
Shea butter provides deep moisturizing to the skin. Just apply it on your stretch marks twice a day and you will clearly see good results in a few weeks. You may also start using shea butter and cocoa butter throughout your pregnancy to prevent the formation of stretch marks.