subject: Understanding The Causes And Home Remedies For Stretch Marks [print this page] Getting rid of stretch marks seems to be a near-impossible task. After trying a wide variety of expensive cosmetic products which show no great results, women usually restore to more drastic measures, like laser or cosmetic surgery. While these methods may work, they also end up burning a major hole in our pockets. At a point like this, one needs to take a step back, and consider the age old remedies that our grandmothers used, which helped them to have flawless skin despite 5 kids! Natural remedies can work wonders (sometimes even better than cosmetic methods), and they leave the bank balance intact.
Stretch marks are the thick ugly lines that form on our body (mostly lower back, breasts, and arms), when there is sudden weight change (like during pregnancy). As the name suggests, they are formed when the skin stretches to the point of breaking down and loses its Collagen and Elastin. A few known causes:
Pregnancy
Rapid weight gain
Rapid weight loss
Hormonal changes
Change in bodily conditions
Puberty
Cushing's syndrome
Marfan syndrome
Steroid therapy
Tumors in the pituitary, etc.
As for the treatment of stretch marks, some very effective home remedies are listed below:
Vitamin E:
Vitamin E can either be consumed (in a pill or by eating almonds, seeds, and other nuts), and its oil can be massaged on the effected areas. The oil is available over the counter, and is very inexpensive.
Vitamin K:
Like Vitamin E, K can be included in the diet through consumption of tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, liver and milk products. It can also be applied directly to the effected areas.
Lavender oil:
Lavender oil can work wonders for stretch marks if applied at least thrice a day on regular basis. It works by fading them away slowly, but surely.
Aromatic oil:
Aromatherapy can done at home by mixing Almond oil, Lavender oil, a bit of Frankincense oil, and Sandalwood oil in bath water. This is specially helpful for post-pregnancy stretch marks, and one should start using it during pregnancy itself. Another way to make Aromatic oil is by mixing Avocado oil, Tangerine oil, and Wheatgerm oil. All these things are available easily in the market.
Shea Butter:
Shea butter is a more recent discovery, at least for the West. The continent of Africa though, has been reaping the benefits of its skin rejuvenating qualities for centuries. Shea butter works miraculously on stretch marks (and other scars), and when mixed with Almond oil, few treatments work better.
Aloe Vera:
The good old Aloe Vera features is in any and every list that mentions skin care, and with good reason. It is good for everything from acne scars to burns, and excellent for the reduction of stretch marks. Plant an Aloe Vera in your backyard, and you will never have any skin complaints again.
Cocoa Butter:
Cocoa has recently been used increasingly as an essential compound in many cosmetic products, specially moisturizing lotions. Cocoa butter can also be used for treatment of stretch marks. Mix it with a little Almond oil (Vitamin E again!), and wait for the results. Also, it smells good!
Jojoba:
Another excellent skin care agent, you can mix it with Avocado, Lavender oil, and Vitamin E oil (Almond oil).
It is essential to remember that stretch marks are caused due to damaged skin, and the results are not visible over night. To heal damaged skin takes time, specially when the cure is directed to eradicate the problem from its roots (through natural remedies), and safe (without side effects). Apart from this, eating a balanced diet with nuts and green vegetables, drinking lots of water, and regular exercise keeps the body taut and helps fight stretch marks the natural way.
