Stretch marks (also called striae) are a harmless, albeit annoying type of scarring that occurs after your skin experiences a rapid change in size. Women most commonly experience it after pregnancy. A sudden increase or decrease in your weight can also cause stretch marks, and some people experience them during puberty.
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While a nuisance at worst, stretch marks are something we can all live without. The good news is that there are several effective remedies for treating them and increasing the rate at which they fade. Perhaps even better is that you don’t have to use any costly, chemical-laden beauty products. Say goodbye to stretch marks with these natural remedies.
Aloe Vera for stretch marks
This popular succulent is said to have miraculous healing properties and is commonly used to relieve sunburn. Aloe vera is also said to keep your skin clear and hydrated. As for stretch marks or stria, the plant is considered a useful home remedy as it has healing abilities in addition to being a skin softener.
You can use it by taking fresh gel from the leaf and applying it to the affected area for around half an hour. Wash off with tepid water and repeat daily.
Sugar for stretch marks
It might seem strange that sugar can be used for stretch marks, especially considering how bad it’s supposed to be for your skin. But this method doesn’t involve consuming it. Instead, you use the sugar as a form of microdermabrasion.
This involves scrubbing the sugar onto the affected area to exfoliate your skin. Microdermabrasion is an actual method used by dermatologists to fade them, so it’s a sound solution.
You can try it yourself by mixing a cup of sugar with a quarter cup of softener such as almond or coconut oil. Some people recommend adding lemon juice to the mix. Then scrub the mixture onto the marks and leave it on for up to ten minutes. You can repeat occasionally throughout the week.
Cocoa Butter for stretch marks
Another potential solution comes in the form of cocoa butter. It’s rich in several vitamins and seeps well into the epidermis and dermis (top and middle) layers of your skin. After being absorbed, cocoa butter works to soften the affected areas and cause it to shrink back, thus reducing the appearance of these marks.
Coconut Oil
In a similar vein to aloe vera, coconut oil is said to have healing properties that are beneficial to human skin. Studies on rats have shown that it can reduce the amount of time skin takes to recover. Applying virgin coconut oil is also an effective way to get rid of redness.
Other Treatments
There are some other ways to get rid of stretch marks, such as hyaluronic acid, which can increase collagen production. Increasing your vitamin A intake can also help.
It’s worth giving these natural remedies a shot. But at the end of the day, the most effective solution comes in the form of procedures such as laser therapy and chemical peels, so be sure to consider those if your stretch marks are more severe.
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