4 Easy Remedies for Stretch Marks

What are easy remedies for stretch marks?

1. Vitamin A
2. Sugar
3. Coconut Oil
4. Aloe Vera

 

Stretch marks are a common and stubborn problem for men and women. These look like bands of parallel lines of purple, pink, or light gray on your skin, and are commonly found on the waist, thighs, hips, arms, and buttocks. While stretch marks aren’t an indication of poor health, they do tend to affect people’s confidence.

Luckily, there are some natural and easy remedies for stretch marks that are proven to help minimize (and, in some cases, even eliminate) these blemishes over time.

 

What Causes Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks usually happen when the dermal layer of your skin gets stretched abruptly. This is common during puberty, pregnancy, sudden weight gain or loss, and muscle building. Genes can also play a major role in whether or not you develop stretch marks.

When the dermal layer gets stretched, it can tear, and the blood vessels beneath start to show. This is what makes your stretch marks appear purple or pink when they are first formed. Later, the blood vessels get smaller, and the fat under your skin becomes more visible, which is why older stretch marks look light gray.

There are a few things you can use to reduce the appearance of your new and old stretch marks, such as:

 

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a retinoid, which is a substance known for making skin appear smoother and more youthful. This is why vitamin A is used in many topical cosmetic creams and oils.

If you use a topical extract of vitamin A or take vitamin A supplements, this can affect your skin’s health. When applied to stretch marks, the retinoids in vitamin A stimulate the production of collagen, which is a protein used to repair and rejuvenate skin cells. Studies have found that this can help minimize the appearance of your stretch marks.

 

Sugar

Sugar scrubs are another solution that is popular for their effect on skin blemishes. People often use sugar as an ingredient for at-home microdermabrasion methods. Microdermabrasions are one of the clinically proven methods to work on stretch marks, so this remedy may work for you.

If you want to try this at home, create and use your sugar scrub using the following steps:

1. Mix 1 cup sugar with ¼ cup of softening agent (like a natural fat or oil, such as coconut oil).
2. Add some lemon juice (around 2 tablespoons).
3. You can also add 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil (optional)
4. Gently scrub the mixture on your stretch marks.
5. Repeat a few times a week. We recommend doing this in the shower and rubbing for 8 to 10 minutes.

 

Coconut Oil

Stretch marks can be considered as “scars,” since they happen when our dermal layer becomes stretched and damaged. As a result, coconut oil, which is scientifically proven to have healing properties, can help reduce the severity of your stretch marks.

If you plan on using coconut oil on your skin, apply some virgin coconut oil directly on your stretch marks every day, and you might see their red appearance fade over time. Unless you’re allergic to coconuts, this remedy is considered completely safe.

 

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is another substance that acts as a natural healing agent. You can apply aloe vera extract, or lotions with aloe vera to treat your stretch marks. We recommend applying every day.

If you have an aloe vera plant at home, you can gather this substance yourself as well. To do so, simply take one leaf, remove the outer layer, and gently scoop out the sticky gel from the inside of the leaf with a spoon. Massage this gel on your stretch marks and let sit for 20 minutes, then rinse off with water.

You can also combine aloe vera with some virgin coconut oil, using the following steps:

1. Add 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil to a bowl.
2. Add fresh aloe vera extract to the bowl and mix well.
3. Apply a small amount of this mixture to your stretch marks.
4. Rub and let sit for 20 minutes, then rinse off.
5. Apply it daily or right after your shower.

 

Key Takeaway

When your skin is stretched out or shrunk suddenly, it can cause damage to your dermal layer, which results in scars known as stretch marks. While they’re not harmful nor an indicator of a health problem, many people find them unappealing and want to find a way to remove them.

While no cure can completely work for everyone, there are a few easy remedies for stretch marks you can use at home to gradually minimize their appearance.