If you notice that you have stretch marks aka Striae, you don’t have panic. They aren’t a sign that anything is wrong with your health. Anybody can get stretch marks. It has been discovered that pregnancy and puberty are responsible for stretch marks.
Stretch marks normally appear as a thin red or purple line on your skin that takes on a different texture than the surrounding skin layer. They eventually fade and take on a lighter or almost translucent colouring, and become shiny.
It is not easy to get rid of stretch marks naturally completely. They are a type of scarring that rarely fades enough to become invisible. However, there are some remedies that can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks and help them to fade away ASAP. These include:
1. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is referred to as a retinoid. Retinoids make skin appear smoother and more 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. A diet rich in certain foods, such as carrots and sweet potatoes, might also help you increase your vitamin A levels.
2. Sugar
Microdermabrasion performed by a dermatologist is one of the few clinically proven methods to make stretch marks fade. Rubbing a sugar scrub on the skin will exfoliate the area. To do this:
- Mix one cup sugar with 1/4 cup of a softening agent, like almond oil or coconut oil, before mixing to the consistency of wet beach sand.
- Add some lemon juice.
- Scrub the mixture on the part of your body where the stretch marks are.
- Repeat several times a week while in the shower, making sure to rub the mixture on for 8-10 minutes.
3. Aloe vera
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.
4. 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. However, collagen production can be stimulated with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid can be absorbed by consuming a capsule or extract.
5. Coconut oil
Since stretch marks are scarring from skin damage, coconut oil might help heal the appearance quickly. Applying virgin coconut oil to your stretch marks each day might take away some of their red appearance. Unless you’re allergic to coconuts, this oil is considered safe.