AABIEFAB DIY: STRETCH MARKS, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW, AND HOW TO GET RID OF THEM.

 

What are Stretch Marks?

 Eeeeew!, what is this? is what some people say after seeing the stretch marks on another girl, no lies stretch marks can be nasty for some people and it is minimal for some people, but I don't think there is any girl who doesn't have stretch marks. For the ones who have serious marks and are looking for ways to get rid of them this post mighty be lengthy but it will be helpful so read to the end.
Stretch marks are the off-coloured stripes or streaks formed on the skin as a result of swift stretching of skin or weight changes. They mainly appear on abdomen due to pregnancy or obesity. In dermatology, they are termed as Striae. They are formed due to hormonal changes related to pregnancy, puberty, hormone replacement therapy, etc. Stretch marks can be commonly seen on waist, thighs, lower backs, hips, breasts, arms, and buttocks. How are these stretch marks formed? The skin of the human body consists of three main layers:

• Epidermis (the outer layer)
• Dermis (the middle layer)
• Hypodermic (the deepest and third layer)

When the connective tissue is stretched due to the expansion and contraction of skin, the stretch marks starts developing on the dermis or the middle layer of the skin. With the stretch in skin, the collagen gets weak, and the elastin fibres start tearing. Due to this, its normal production cycle gets damaged or interrupted. This results in the formation of fine scars under the epidermis or the top layer of the skin. Initially, they appear red or pink, but gradually, they turned into thin silvery line.

Causes

Stretch marks are not a disease, which infects the human body, but are the scars formed due to contraction and expansion of skin. They are basically caused by stretching of the skin. Their appearance depends on the type of skin. These ugly stretch marks are caused due to:

• The physical stretching of the skin at the end of pregnancy.
• Extraordinary weight gain, specially on arms, thighs, etc.
• Use of certain medications, including lotions, pills, Corticosteroid creams, and steroids.
• Adrenal gland diseases, Cushing’s syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Genetic disorders
• Muscle building
• Hormonal changes during puberty
• Heredity

Symptoms

What are the signs of stretch marks? No one would ever like to have stretch marks on their skin. They commonly appear on the places where a large amount of fats is deposited. Some of the symptoms which help to recognize the development of stretch marks are as follows:

• The skin becomes pink, flattened and thin before the development of stretch marks.
• Development of red, pink, or purple lines on the skin.
• Affected area becomes soft in touch.
• At the initial phase, these lines appear wrinkly and somewhat raised.
• With the passage of time, these lines convert into silver or white in colour.
• They may also appear in patches of parallel lines.
• They appear as scar.

 

Home Remedies for Stretch Marks

It is natural that every woman will develop stretch marks at some point of time in her life. Although they are natural, but have truly ugly looks. No woman would like to have stretch marks on her skin. Wondering what to do when you see them on your skin, and more importantly how to get rid of them? While surgical treatments are an option, there are other natural ways to get rid of them.

Yes, there are natural and herbal remedies to get rid of stretch marks at home! Here are some quick home remedies for stretch marks, which will undoubtedly reduce or remove the scars from the affected area.

1. Castor Oil.

Castor oil, which is used in the treatment of a number of skin problems such as wrinkles, age spots, moles, dark spots, fine lines and pimples, can also be used to get rid of stretch marks

1. Apply some castor oil to the stretch marks and gently massage the area in circular motions for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Wrap the area with a thin, cotton cloth. Using a hot water bottle or a heating pad, apply some heat to the affected area for at least a half an hour.
3. Repeat this process daily for a minimum of one month to notice positive results.

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is effective in the treatment of many skin problems. Its healing and soothing properties can be used to get rid of stretch marks. There are a couple of ways to apply it.

• You can directly rub aloe vera gel on the affected skin area, leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse the skin with lukewarm water.
• Another option is to make a mixture with one-fourth cup of aloe vera gel, oil from 10 vitamin E capsules and oil from five vitamin A capsules. Rub this mixture onto the skin until fully absorbed. Repeat this process daily.

3. Egg Whites

Eggs are a rich source of protein. For stretch marks, you want to use only the egg whites which contain amino acids and proteins.

1. Whip the whites of two eggs gently with a fork. Clean the affected skin area with water and then apply a thick layer of egg whites with a makeup brush.
2. Allow the egg whites to dry completely and then rinse the area with cold water.
3. Finally apply some olive oil on the skin to keep it moisturized.
4. Repeat the process daily for at least two weeks and watch for positive results.

4. Lemon Juice

Another simple way to lessen stretch marks is to use lemon juice. Lemon juice is naturally acidic which helps heal and reduce stretch marks, acne, and other scars.

• Rub fresh lemon juice gently onto the stretch marks using circular motions. Allow the lemon juice to soak into your skin for at least 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
• Another option is to mix equal quantities of cucumber juice and lemon juice and apply the mixture on the stretch marks.

5. Sugar

Sugar is used as a natural exfoliant for skin. It is one of the best home remedies to get rid of stretch marks. Take a tablespoon of sugar. Add some drops of almond oil and lemon juice in it. Stir it well and apply directly on the stretch marks. Rub it for 8-10 minutes and then, take a shower. Continue to use it for one month or so, until the stretch marks gets fade out.

6. Potato Juice

Potato juice is rich in minerals and vitamins. It promotes restoration and growth of skin cells. Cut thick slices of a medium-sized potato. Take one of the potato slices and rub gently on the stretch marks for a few minutes. When the juice gets dried, wash the affected area with lukewarm water.

7. WATER
Water is known for carrying oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body. To prevent skin from various problems, drinking water helps a lot. To get rid of stretch marks, a well-hydrated skin is required in order to allow regular detoxification of skin pores. It is the quickest remedy to heal stretch marks. Drink 10 glasses of water daily to make the affected area lighter.


9. Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is famous for its anti-wrinkling and anti-aging properties. It helps in enhancing the blood circulation, which reduces stretch marks. Massage the affected area with cocoa butter at least two times a day. Repeat the process for two months and notice the reduced scars.
Else, mix half cup of cocoa butter with one tablespoon of wheat germ oil, one teaspoon of tea kernel oil, two teaspoons of grated beeswax, and vitamin E oil. Heat the mix until the beeswax melts. Apply it on the stretch marks twice or thrice a day. The mixture can be stored in a sealed box in the refrigerator.

Other Treatments for Stretch Marks

Apart from natural home remedies, various other simple options are also available to remove stretch marks. They are as follows:

• Use oats as a natural scrub on the stretch marks.
• Use Vaseline on the stretch marks.
• For itchy stretch marks, take a warm shower followed by a gentle oil massage.
• Folic acid is also effective for healing the stretch marks.
• Use a moisturizer on the affected area.
• Retin-A (retinoic acid cream) can be used to lessen the stretch marks.