The tiger stripes on your body are nothing to be ashamed of. They’re a badge of honor, the testimony of your commendable feat of carrying your child, or the evidence of moving forward in life. Stretch marks are normal, common, and also easily treatable. It doesn’t take much more than a few home remedies for stretch marks to reduce their visibility.
What are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are scars caused due to the sudden stretching or shrinkage of the skin. The skin protein called collagen breaks down under the skin causing line-like scars.
Stretch Marks are of 2 types:
Red/Purple Stretch Marks
The new stretch marks that are formed seem red, purplish in tint due to the presence of blood vessels beneath the skin. They are more easily treatable due to their fairly recent formation and the collagen can be renewed quickly.
White Stretch Marks
Over time the blood vessels under the skin get thinner and the stretch marks seem white. The re-production of collagen is harder with older, white stretch marks and the treatment takes longer.
What are the Reasons for Stretch Marks?
The reasons for Stretch Marks are various. They are caused due to factors that involve stretching of the skin and The main causes of stretch marks are:
- During Pregnancy
- Growth spurts during Puberty
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Weight training when you have rapid muscle growth.
Stretch Marks often appear on different parts of the body like:
- Stretch Marks on Knees
- Stretch Marks on Arms
- Stretch Marks on Hips
- Stretch Marks on Shoulders
- Stretch Marks on Back
How to Prevent Stretch Marks?
Prevention is better than cure. Before we impart our knowledge regarding some home remedies for stretch marks it’s only necessary we discuss some prevention methods. There are many effective ways to prevent stretch marks, some of which include:
- Weight Management
- Keeping Skin Moisturized
- Dietary Regulation
- Staying Hydrated
Weight Management
As mentioned before, the sudden gain or loss of weight causes indented lines like scars onto the skin therefore, weight management becomes imperative. Keeping in check any sudden weight fluctuation reduces the chances of stretch mark appearance.
Keeping Skin Moisturized
Skin that is hydrated has fewer chances of forming stretch marks. Using moisturizers regularly is a great prevention method, especially for pregnancy stretch marks. Applying stretch mark cream or oil massage is one of the best ways to naturally avoid stretch marks during pregnancy.
Dietary Regulation
Making dietary modifications and incorporating specific vitamins and minerals into the diet can help improve skin elasticity and boost collagen production, therefore, reducing the chances of stretch mark appearance. Some recommended nutrient additions are:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
- Proteins
Stay Hydrated
Water keeps your skin hydrated from within and assists in maintaining skin elasticity which is essential for reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Keeping in check your water intake becomes essential.
10 Home Remedies for Stretch Marks
The internet is littered with home remedies for stretch marks but we handpicked the best ones for you so you can heal your skin effectively. Here are some natural ways to get rid of stretch marks:
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Castor Oil
- Argan Oil
- Lemon Juice
- Egg White
- Vitamin E Capsules
- Potato Juice
- Coconut Oil
- Exfoliation
- Topical Treatment
Aloe Vera for Stretch Marks
Aloe and its properties are well known and lauded but using aloe Vera for stretch marks are rare. It boosts the production of collagen and helps smoothen out the skin.
To use Aloe Vera, remove the outer layers and take out the clear gel from within. Apply the gel onto your stretch marks for 2-3 hours and wash off later with water.
Castor Oil for Stretch Marks
Castor oil has various cosmetic benefits one of which is treating stretch marks. It provides hydrating and moisturizing benefits and improves skin elasticity. Castor oil can be applied directly onto the skin. Regular massage from castor oil help in getting rid of stretch marks caused due to pregnancy and is wonderful as one of the home remedies for stretch marks.
If you want to learn more about how to remove stretch marks after delivery make sure to read our blog on How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks for New Mothers
Argan Oil for Stretch Marks
Argan Oil increases the skin elasticity so that when your weight fluctuates the collagen doesn’t break and the lines don’t appear on your skin. Vitamin E present in argan oil can be applied topically as well as can be consumed to make skin more elastic.
Lemon Juice for Stretch Marks
When looking for home remedies for stretch marks, you don’t need to go further than your kitchen. Lemon is a good source of Vitamin C and along with that it also has bleaching properties which help reduce stretch mark visibility.
Egg Whites for Stretch Marks
Egg whites are a superfood for skin. They are rich in protein and contain all essential amino acid. When applied, egg whites lighten the appearance of stretch marks along with tightening the skin to give it a smooth look. This application is beneficial for pregnancy as well as teenage stretch marks.
Vitamin E Capsules For Stretch Marks
Vitamin E is an antioxidant with many benefits for the skin. Applying Vitamin E topically onto stretch marks can over time reduce their visibility.
Potato Juice for Stretch Marks
Potato has skin whitening enzymes. Upon applying it acts as a bleaching agent and lightens skin. With regular use of potato juice, the appearance of stretch marks is visibly reduced. To use a potato for stretch marks you need to juice it and apply the pack onto the stretch marks for half an hour and wash it with water later.
Coconut Oil for Stretch Marks
Coconut is an amino acid rich oil that stimuates healing of stretch marks. Its hydrating properties also promote diminishing of stretch marks and improve the appearance of skin.
Exfoliation
A very effective method of ensuring smooth skin and one of the best home remedies for stretch marks is regular exfoliation of skin. It is easy to make a body scrub at home with just three ingredients:
- Sugar
- Oil
- Lemon Juice
With two part sugar, one part oil and half a lemon your scrub is prepared to gently exfoliate your skin.
Exfoliation sloughs away dry skin promoting growth of new healthy cells, it improve blood flow and simulates collagen production. All of this amounts to reduction of stretch marks.
Topical Applications
If you’re someone who finds making masks and packs as home remedies for stretch marks cumbersome, you can always go for market solutions like stretch mark removal cream or oil available.
Mother Sparsh has a whole range of products targeted to tackle stretch marks.
- Stretch Mark Massage Oil
- Stretch Mark Toning Butter
- Mother Sparsh Stretch Mark Repair& Toning Butter Kit
Stretch Mark Massage Oil
The Mother Sparsh Stretch Mark Oil is an ayurvedic powered restorative oil to diminish stretch mark appearance. Regularly massage stretch mark area with the oil to hydrate it and lighten stretch marks.
Stretch Mark Toning Butter
Mother Sparsh Stretch Mark Toning Butter is a shea body butter that hydrates the skin as well as locks in the moisture. Moisturized skin has more elasticity and therefore has less chances of stretch mark occurrence. Shea butter for old stretch marks removal is very effective. The ingredients of the toning butter are Ayurvedic, all natural and very effective making it one of the best pregnancy stretch mark removal cream in India.
Mother Sparsh Stretch Mark Repair & Toning Butter Kit
Both Stretch Mark Message Oil and Toning Butter can be bought as a combo set. Easy to use application along with their ayurvedic concoction makes both these products great home remedies for stretch marks.
BONUS!
If you’re looking for ways to get rid of stretch marks permanently and completely you can opt for cosmetic procedures like:
- Microdermabrasion
- Microneedling
- Laser Therapy
We hope you found these home remedies for stretch marks helpful! Feel free to comment below what worked best for you.
