How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks At Home

How many times have you tried to get rid of stretch marks on your body? Have you noticed stretch marks as yet? Plainly speaking, stretch marks are the unsightly lines appearing on your abdomen, thighs, arms, or buttocks soon after pregnancy or sudden weight loss/gain. With their off colour hue, they are easily visible in the affected areas. The situation is alarming! If you want to know how to get rid of stretch marks, you’ll find some amazing home remedies in this article.

Why Do You Get Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks happen when your body grows quickly for any reason. Your skin can’t stretch enough to keep up. These long, thin, rippled marks are also called stria.

Collagen is a protein that makes your skin more elastic. If your skin doesn’t have enough, the marks may show up as it stretches.

You may get stretch marks because of:

• Quick weight gain or childhood growth spurts
• Pregnancy
• Breast implant surgery
• Bodybuilding
• High amounts of steroids, either from steroid medications or illnesses like Cushing's syndrome
• Marfan syndrome, a genetic disease that weakens your skin fibers and causes unusual growth

They also run in families.

People Prone to Stretch Marks

Based on a study by the American Academy of Dermatology, several people are most likely to have stretch marks at certain points in their life. These include the following:

• At least 90 percent of women who are in their third trimester or sixth to seventh month of their pregnancy
• Having a mother who had stretch marks as genetics is another factor that affects the appearance of these lines on your skin
• Obese people who lose a significant amount of weight quickly

It is also worth noting that regardless of your skin tone or complexion, you are not exempt from getting these unsightly lines. For people with darker skin, the marks appear to be silvery or lighter than their natural color once these begin to fade. As for those who have fairer or lighter skin, the marks will have a pinkish color. So, no matter what your complexion, these marks will always impact your look unless you do something about them.

What Do They Look Like?

These rippled, streaky lines in your skin come in different colors. They fade from red or pink to purplish-blue to thinner, pale, more scar-like streaks over time. You may not notice them as much.

They can show up on many parts of your body:

• Arms
• Back
• Breasts
• Buttocks
• Hips
• Shoulders
• Stomach or torso

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks?

Getting rid of stretch marks in a completely natural way isn’t likely. They are a type of scarring and rarely fade enough to become invisible. However, there are some remedies that can help minimize appearance of stretch marks and help them to fade more quickly.

1. Vitamin A

• Vitamin A is referred to as a retinoid. Retinoids make skin appear more smooth and youthful. They are used in many over-the-counter topical cosmetic creams. Simply using a topical extract of vitamin A, or taking vitamin A orally, can contribute to your skin’s health and overall appearance. One study in particular identified retinoids as helping the appearance of stretch marks. A diet rich in certain foods, such as carrots and sweet potatoes, might also help you increase your vitamin A levels.

2. Aloe vera

• While little clinical evidence exists for aloe vera as a stretch mark cure, it makes sense. Pure aloe vera is both a natural healing agent and a skin softener. This makes it an ideal home remedy to try for stretch marks. Apply pure aloe vera from a plant to your stretch marks daily after your shower.

3. Hyaluronic acid

• Collagen is the protein in your skin that allows it to keep its shape and appear healthy. As we age, collagen decreases in our face and our bodies. Collagen production can be stimulated with hyaluronic acid, an extract available in health food stores and online. Hyaluronic acid can be absorbed by consuming a commercially available capsule or extract.

4. Coconut oil

• Since stretch marks are scarring from skin damage, coconut oil might help heal the appearance quickly. Coconut oil has been studied for its healing properties and found to reduce the time it takes for skin wounds to heal. Applying virgin coconut oil to your stretch marks each day might take away some of their red appearance.

Other treatments

• Laser therapy, needling, and microdermabrasion are three clinical treatments for stretch marks. Microdermabrasion involves exfoliating the skin in a way that at-home remedies cannot. In clinical studies, microdermabrasion improved the appearance of stretch marks. Needling, which is a relatively new treatment in which collagen is injected underneath the top layer of your skin, is also effective.

Most of these treatments are not typically covered by insurance, and they can be costly. Only a dermatologist can tell you whether you are a candidate for these procedures.