As if carrying babies for 9 months is not enough, women also have to suffer the ignominy of having to deal with the unsightly phenomenon of hideous stretch marks. Of course stretch marks are not always related to childbirth but can affect both women and men and causes can vary.
Can you get rid of stretch marks or at the very least, make them fade? The answer is a resounding yes. Indeed, there are plenty of natural ways to get rid of stretch marks and bid them goodbye for ever. Read on to discover a few of the best.
Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks
14 of the best natural ways to get rid of stretch marks:
1. Egg Whites
Massaging egg whites on your tummy is one of the most recognised natural ways to get rid of stretch marks. Egg whites contain a rich supply of proteins which are not only good for your skin but which can also work wonders in eliminating stretch marks. To allow maximum fading of stretch marks, just massage the egg white well into the skin about three times a day directly onto the area affected by stretch marks.
2. Potatoes
Even if you have been avoiding carbohydrates for health reasons, there is a new reason for you to consider including it in your grocery list. Potatoes contain juices that are chock-full of mineral salts and vitamins that can help restore the cells of the skin. Therefore while cooking potatoes for your family, take one and rub it on your stretch marks. Tips:
Cut the potato into thick slices.
Next, rub the slices over the stretch marks while ensuring that the slices are juicy.
Let it dry after which you should wash using warm water.
3. Olive Oil or Castor Oil
Olive oil contains a lot of vitamin E, something that is great for the skin. Using vitamin E oil also helps, as is applying stuffs that have been infused with jasmine, lavender and rosemary. The only important thing that you need to ensure is that the stuff you use contains vitamin E.
This is premised on the fact that vitamin E softens your skin. Upon softening, the skin expands and then takes with it the stretch marks. It also prevents future occurrences of stretch marks.
Castor oil can also prove an effective natural way to get rid of stretch marks. It works in the same manner.
4. Shea Butter
Massaging shea butter into the area of skin affected by stretch marks a couple of times a day helps to not only moisturize the dry skin but also fades the stretch marks. Use it regularly as a natural moisturizer during pregnancy and you’ll stand a better chance of stopping them forming in the first place.
5. Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is a subject of increasing interest in the cosmetic industry mainly because of its ability to hydrate and nourish the skin. It’s loaded with fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants which help improve skin elasticity. Cocoa butter dissolves at room temperature and therefore deeply absorbs into your skin. What’s more, it’s rich in phytochemicals which have amazing skin healing properties.
For the best results, try mixing cocoa butter with other antioxidants like almond oil and rosehip seed oil. Ingredients:
1 cup of cocoa butter
1 cup of extra virgin coconut oil
20 drops of lavender oil
2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
2 tablespoons rosehip seed oil
Method:
Gently melt the cocoa butter in a double boiler and let it cool to room temperature.
Add the other ingredients and mix.
Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for an hour (or until the butter solidifies).
Whip it with an immersion blender and pour into an airtight glass container.
Seal tightly and store in a cool place.
Apply to stretch marks and massage for 5 minutes until well absorbed by the skin.
Use your lotion at least 2 times a day for 3 months.
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for stretch marks in Chinese, Greek and Indian civilizations.
It has gained popularity in the U.S. mainly because of alternative medicine and holistic living promoters. Research shows Aloe Vera deeply moisturizes the skin and significantly improves elasticity which is beneficial in getting rid of stretch marks. Aloe Vera is also important for preventing stretch marks due to high concentrations of Vitamin A, C and, E.
Puncture 5 Vitamin E capsules and add the drops to fresh Aloe Vera gel. Mix well and massage the gel on your stretch marks. Let it dry off and do not rinse. Apply the gel twice a day until your stretch marks disappear.
7. Sugar
Sugar will be effective for your stretch marks especially if you know how to make sugar scrub. A bit of sugar, lemon juice and oil can make for a wonderful exfoliant not only for shaving but also for many other things. One of those things is stretch marks. It has an added benefit of giving you a great smell too.
The most effective type of sugar is white sugar and it works even better if combined with oil. After rubbing it in, give it up to 10 minutes to allow it to work.
8. Tretinoin Cream
This cream can be wonderful in revving up your body’s ability to rebuild collagen especially in the case of new stretch marks. However, there is one caveat to this remedy: never use it when pregnant. It could negatively affect the fetus.
9. Lemon Juice
You’re probably aware that lemon juice can reduce the appearance of freckles. The principle behind this is that lemon juice is a great natural bleaching agent. It’s this same natural bleaching properties that can help lighten the appearance of stretch marks and hence, make them less visible. Target the affected areas directly by rubbing in the juice of a lemon, give it 10 minutes to dry and finish by rinsing off. This should be repeated a couple of times every day if you want a noticeable effect.
10. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba has healing and regenerative properties for the skin that helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. It has a rare combination of anti-oxidants, fatty acids and moisturizing properties which make it very effective in removing stretch marks. The oil also has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe any redness that may be present in your stretch marks.
Apply a few drops of jojoba oil on your stretch marks. Massage the area in circular motions for 2-3 minutes. Wait for 5 minutes for it to absorb before wearing your clothes. You can also apply massage the oil at night before you go to sleep. Using jojoba oil as an overnight treatment maximizes its benefits on your skin. Use it twice per day over the course of 3 months.
11. Foam Rolling
Foam rolling applies deep pressure to specific parts of your body increasing blood flow on the targeted area. This brings up oxygen and nutrients that help to reduce the look of stretch marks on your skin. Increased blood flow also helps your stretch marks heal by carrying toxins and waste from your skin.
In addition, foam rolling reduces tissue inflammation which is one of the main causes of stretch marks. It provides deep tissue massage that breaks down damaged skin cells causing the body to produce new collagen. Place your foam roller under the areas with stretch marks and gently roll back and forth. Keep rolling back and forth for about 5 minutes and do this twice daily until the stretch marks fade away.
12. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular natural ways to get rid of stretch marks. Vinegar is rich acetic and malic acids. These two acids exfoliate the upper layers of your skin and work to repair skin cells in your stretch marks. Vinegar also contains enzymes, minerals, and other nutrients which minimize the appearance of stretch marks on your skin. Furthermore, acetic acid has an anti-inflammatory action that helps to maintain the elastin in your skin. Elastin keeps your skin from scarring further.
Spray apple cider vinegar all over your stretch marks every night before you go to bed. Let it dry and wash it off the next morning. You can also prepare a solution with water and vinegar. All you need is 1 glass of apple cider vinegar mixed with 2 glasses of water. Apply the solution directly on to the affected area every day until you get the desired results.
13. Argan Oil
Argan oil is excellent oil for removing stretch marks in their early stages. It keeps the skin hydrated and lightens the appearance of stretch marks. A study in the Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology Journal revealed that argan oil has a positive effect on increasing skin’s elasticity. Its natural composition of Omega fatty acids and Vitamin E makes it suitable for damaged tissue repair and skin cells regeneration.
Apply a few drops of pure argan oil on your stretch marks and massage using circular movements. Use argan oil 2-3 times a day (3 if you have dry skin).
You can also add a few drops of argan oil into your bath water or into your regular shower soap. After your shower, apply another small amount of the oil on the stretch marks while your body is still wet.
14. Natural Stretch Mark Treatments
Natural stretch mark creams are also extremely effective natural ways to get rid of stretch marks and of course, being natural, are completely safe to use.
Whilst many of the big brand name manufacturers have some very well known products there are some amazing smaller brands which can prove even more effective and represent much better value for money too.
One such product worth checking out is Lucent Skin Stretch Mark Cream. Read the reviews here >>>.
We have also examined another treatment cream – read our Skinception Intensive Stretch Mark Therapy Review
Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks – Conclusion
Perhaps you don’t need an array of high profile, top price products to fight against stretch marks. There are a number of natural ways to get rid of stretch marks … some may prove more effective than others but all may be worth a try.
Good luck!
