How to get rid of stretch marksEveryone with this affliction has at one time or another wanted to know how to get rid of stretch marks. Relax, there is a huge amount you can do without spending big bucks. To start off with, striae distensae or stretch marks usually appear wherever fat is stored -- hips, thighs, tummy, breasts, lower back, upper arms. Normally associated with women, but men, girls and boys are equally at risk. To give you an idea of how widespread this is, 90% of pregnant women end up with stretch marks. What factors play a role? Your genetics -- look at your mother, does she have bad stretch marks? If so, there's a good chance you will too. Other factors include your skin type, sudden environmental change and poor diet. What causes stretch marks?You find they appear at times of your life when hormones in your blood stop the dermis from forming elastin fibers and collagen. All of us experience some of these life-altering times -- puberty, obesity, pregnancy, intense physical activity, when bodybuilders bulk up and Cushing's disease. Over-using low potency topical steroid ointments and creams, especially if you cover them with plastic wrap driving them deeper down into the skin, also causes stretch marks, as do the use of oral steroids. In a nutshell, when your over-stretched skin especially needs strong underlying support and elasticity, it doesn't have it. The dermal layer then tears, flattening the epidermis, leaving behind red surface marks.
So your own body creates these scars in order to heal damage caused by too thin skin over-stretching. With damage deep down in the dermis, to get rid of stretch marks is an almost impossible task. The way your other wounds heal, gives you an idea of what your marks will look like with time. Over the years they gradually fade, and even more so, with the treatment we describe, but their streaky appearance and texture always remain slightly different to the rest of your skin. Aesthetically you may be ultra-aware of your stretch marks, but other people rarely notice them. They are also harmless and don't require medical treatment. Things you can do to get rid of stretch marks or at least fade themExpensive, painful and invasive produces exist which may help, but in many cases won't. Why not instead apply a small amount of diligent self-care, and over time your stretch marks will barely be visible. The regimen we advocate, repairs the many layers of your skin from the inside - starting with good nutrition, water and exercise; then exfoliating, massage and moisturizing with oils from the outside. All the ingredients are chemical free, natural and can be found in your local health store or even in your kitchen. And best of all the results are no less than if you had have used expensive lotions. Treating new red scars as soon as they appear is best, but even for white older scars you can make dramatic improvements if you regularly maintain this program. Let us begin your path to get rid of stretch marks by replenishing the inside of the body. WaterDrinking 8 glasses of water daily hydrates your tissues naturally, keeps your skin elastic and soft, helps normalize collagen production levels and acts like an internal moisturizer. Every time you drink a cup of tea, coffee or soda, drink an extra glass of water as well. NutritionFoods rich in zinc, essential fatty acids, vitamins A,C,D,E,K and silica nourish your body and restore your skin. These nutrients abound in eggs, oily fish, lean meats and liver, tomatoes, citrus fruit, pumpkin seeds, almonds, spinach, kale, carrots, green cabbage, Swiss Chard, broccoli, collards, turnip greens and low fat dairy products. Good nutrition goes a long way to correcting imbalances caused by oral contraceptives, stress and hormone therapies, all of which deplete you of components essential for skin health. Biochemistry/tissue saltsNatrium Muriaticum, Calcium Phosphate and Calcium Fluoride restore elasticity and tone to muscles, skin and connective tissue, and also help maintain the water balance of your body. ExerciseOn flabby flesh, stretch marks look so much worse than when toned and firm. See calories burned by walking or calories burned swimming. Self-care program to get rid of stretch marks from the outsideTwice a day focus on the stretch marks:
No matter which oil you use, you benefit. Just remember the four main principles to get rid of stretch marks - exfoliate, lemon juice, moisturize, massage. Let us examine some of the principles: ExfoliateDry brushing and/or exfoliating removes dead skin and unveils fresh skin. If you can't reach some areas or they are sensitive, for example your breasts, be gentle. Exfoliate with a loofah or scrub, either bought or home-made -- try sea salt, ground coffee, baking soda, oatmeal or apricot scrub and apply with a wet face cloth. Any of them can be added to olive oil in order to make a thick paste. For best results, massage with a circular motion for 10 minutes. Or make your own exfoliator: (Abbreviations: Tbs = tablespoon; tsp = teaspoon; 5 ml = 1 tsp; 15 ml = 1 Tbs; 250 ml = 1 cup) 5 Tbs of any of the abovementioned scrub Massage, then rinse off. Rub lemon juice onto your stretch marks. It both helps them fade as well as acts like an exfoliant. Allow to dry, rinse off with warm water, then towel dry. Oil penetrates more deeply if you use a derma or skin roller. If you have one, use it before you moisturize. Hydrating and moisturizing to get rid of stretch marksInfusing your skin with natural oil and massage works wonders. Regardless of which oil you use, what matters more is that you vigorously and regularly massage the scars. It improves circulation and promotes rejuvenation. During pregnancy, when the skin on your expanding tummy feels ticklish, instead of scratching which tears the dermis, relieve the itch by rubbing gently with oil and a face cloth. Should you be interested in any of the packaged stretch mark remedies, be aware that many contain dangerous chemicals. Read the ingredients carefully, and if unknown to you, Google them before applying during pregnancy, especially to your abdomen. With regard to two other common household items which might make sense to use: baby oil fragrances tend to dry out your skin, and petroleum jelly makes you reliant on it so when you abstain, your skin actually becomes drier. So rather use natural organic oils:
Each of them are perfect to use alone, or if you wish, combine them as in any of the following suggestions. Vitamin E oilAlpha Tocopheral, an antioxidant in Vitamin E, is necessary for regenerating skin by promoting cell growth. Squalene, a natural antioxidant, and also promotes skin regeneration, intensifies the benefits of vitamin E. If you are unable to get bottled vitamin E oil, you can break open a vitamin E capsule, rub the oil onto your marks and discard the casing. Try combining vitamin E, almond, castor and avocado oils together. Or mix vitamin E oil with cocoa butter. Combine a vitamin E rich oil like olive or castor oil and aromatic herbs such as lemon grass, mint, lavender or thyme to form a paste. Then massage your stretch marks for 20 minutes just before falling asleep. Bio Oil is excellent to get rid of stretch marks or any scars. Essential oils1 oz carrier oil (sweet almond, avocado, jojoba or grapeseed) Mix together and massage the scars. Apply lavender essential oil directly to scars, especially newer injuries, to help them fade. Vitamin K creamSmear vitamin K cream onto stretch marks, and you'll see an improvement in 14 days depending on how bad the marks are, your activity level and your skin type. Cocoa butter for stretch marksCocoa butter is a renowned stretch mark home remedy. It also ensures the skin stays soft and supple. 1/2 cup cocoa butter Heat all the above ingredients until the wax melts. Bottle it shut, refrigerate and rub onto your stretch marks. You may prefer using the 100% cocoa butter stick instead of the lotion. When you first apply it, it's quite dry, but the more you rub, the oilier it gets. Olive oilRub into the stretch marks. Another way to use olive oil is to warm it in the microwave, smear it on the scars and leave it there for 20 minutes. Or combine equal parts olive and coconut oil and apply. Massage a mixture of lemon juice and olive oil onto your stretch marks, then rub in cocoa butter afterwards. 1/2 tsp each of aloe vera gel, olive and cod liver oils. This doubles as an effective anti-aging treatment. Some people prefer olive oil to cocoa butter. Play around with the different oils to find the one or combination that your skin responds to best. Linseed/flaxseed oilGreat to get rid of stretch marks and any scars. Mix equal parts flaxseed and olive oils. Add to your body cream for even more benefit. Flaxseed oil is excellent internally too. Add to shakes, salad dressing, yogurt or cottage cheese. Castor oilRub castor oil onto any scars or marks including dark spots, wrinkles and moles for 30 minutes daily. Another way of using castor oil is combined with tea tree oil, rose hip seed oil and vitamin E oil. Despite it being applied externally, it still detoxifies your lymphatic system and has a laxative effect. Try this lotion for when you wash off the castor oil lotion: 200 ml unscented aqueous cream Stir together, then leave standing in the sun for a day before using (it might sound odd but is more natural and less damaging than microwaving). When applied morning and night or even more often if you can, you'll see an improvement within 3 days. Great for sufferers of eczema. Aloe vera gelAloe vera gel has wonderful soothing and healing properties. Help get rid of stretch marks by using this: 1/2 cup olive oil Blend and refrigerate in a sealed container, rub into your skin until absorbed thoroughly. Vicks Vapor RubSmear onto your stretch marks. Or mix Vicks, aloe vera gel and lemon juice together. Microwave for a few seconds before leaving it for 10 minutes on your stretch marks. Rinse, then rub cocoa butter stick onto your skin. Hide themUntil your stretch marks fade to your satisfaction, consider hiding them with clothes, body makeup, a self-tanning cream or a swimsuit with more coverage. Tanning won't help because they don't tan and if the surrounding skin is browner, your stretch marks will be more obvious. ConclusionBe careful of those marketing stretch mark creams and their promises. No cream can remove or prevent stretch marks. The best they can do is help them fade -- save your well-earned money by choosing any of the oils above and get the same results. If their smell puts you off, add an aromatic essential oil. Whenever you feel self-conscious or ashamed, remember very few people have been able to get rid of stretch marks completely and we all have them. With the passing of time, and more especially if you regularly practise any of the above, you will barely notice them. Until then, accept them. Pride in your body, regardless of cellulite, excess weight or stretch marks, is a very attractive quality.
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The stretch marks most of us have are broken bands of elastic beneath the
skin, which when heal don't line up properly and result in the red, purple and with time, white marks.
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