Stretch marks are lines that appear on the skin due to a sudden weight change. In fact, pregnancy and puberty are the most common stages of getting stretch marks.
Both women and men can have stretch marks, and they do not mean that something is wrong with their health.
At first, the stretch marks are red, gradually turning white.
Keep in mind that completely removing stretch marks naturally is impossible. However, you can improve its appearance with some of the natural remedies that you will find below.
1. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a retinoid that causes the skin to become smoother and look younger. In fact, this vitamin is used in most over-the-counter cosmetic creams.
To improve the appearance of your skin, you can apply vitamin A to the affected area topically, or you can also ingest it orally.
Some foods that are rich in vitamin A are carrots and sweet potatoes.
According to a study, retinoids like vitamin A help improve the appearance of stretch marks. However, more studies are still needed to confirm its effect.
2. Sugar
Sugar is used by many people as if it were a naturopathic microdermabrasion method.
When talking about microdermabrasion, we mean the clinical procedure that makes stretch marks fade.
To use sugar as a natural stretch mark remedy, follow these steps:
- Mix a cup of sugar with 1/4 cup of a softening component (it can be coconut or almond oil) and stir to the consistency of wet beach sand.
- Add a little lemon juice.
- Exfoliate the affected parts of your body with this mixture.
- Repeat several times a week, making sure to scrub the mixture for 8-10 minutes.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is widely used to improve the appearance of the skin as it acts as a natural healing agent and softens the skin.
You can apply aloe vera direct from the silver on the stretch marks every day after showering.
However, keep in mind that there is no scientific evidence about the effects of aloe vera on the disappearance of stretch marks.
4. Hyaluronic Acid
Our body produces a natural substance called collagen that helps the skin shape and stay healthy. However, as the years go by, our body decreases collagen production.
But this is not a problem since you can stimulate collagen production with hyaluronic acid.
You can consume it orally through capsules or extracts.
5. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can help improve the appearance of stretch marks quickly as it is very beneficial in treating damaged skin.
According to research on rodents, coconut oil has healing properties and helps skin wounds heal more quickly.
You can apply a little virgin coconut oil to stretch marks every day to improve your appearance.
Keep in mind that coconut oil is safe even for people who are allergic to coconut.
Other Treatments
You can also try clinical treatments to improve the appearance of stretch marks, such as laser therapy, needling, and microdermabrasion.
Needling is a relatively modern treatment whereby collagen is injected under the top layer of the skin. It is a very effective treatment for stretch marks.
For its part, what microdermabrasion does is exfoliate the skin in a more profound way than home remedies. According to research, microdermabrasion helps improve the appearance of stretch marks.
These treatments are generally not covered by health insurance and, for that reason, they are costly.
Consult your dermatologist to tell you if these treatments suit your skin type.
Who Gets Stretch Marks?
Although different factors that produce stretch marks are popularly known, the truth is that genetics is what most influences the appearance or not of stretch marks on the skin.
According to the Mayo Clinic, women are most likely to have stretch marks, especially pregnant.
Other causes could be:
- Gain or lose weight in a very short period of time.
- Take corticosteroid medications.
- Having had breast enlargement surgery.
Outlook
Beyond the above, the best treatment for stretch marks is prevention.
The most important thing to prevent stretch marks is to keep the skin hydrated. This helps the skin maintain the elastin it needs and prevents the appearance of stretch marks.
One option is to apply topical creams on the skin, such as coconut oil. This serves to keep the skin hydrated and prevent stretch marks.
Keep in mind that even without treatment, stretch marks fade on their own over time and rarely keep the same appearance as they originally appeared.
