Have you ever looked at your body and noticed those faint lines that seem to have their own story? Yes, those are stretch marks, and they’re like little reminders of the journey your skin has been on. They’re pretty common whether you’ve seen them on your mom’s tummy as pregnancy stretch marks or even after hitting the gym hard. But don’t worry, you’re not alone! We are here to provide you with an insightful blog where we will explore an array of best home remedies for stretch marks, specifically tailored to get rid of stretch marks during pregnancy and provide you with radiant skin during and after pregnancy.
Understanding Stretch Marks: Causes and Characteristics
Stretch marks, or striae, appear when your skin rapidly changes shape due to weight gain or sudden weight loss. Typically, they don’t indicate something wrong with your health. They can affect anyone, regardless of gender. The two most common times to have them are during pregnancy and adolescence.
A stretch mark initially manifests as a thin, differently-textured red or purple line from the surrounding skin. Most of them will eventually go away on their own. After fading, they could become less apparent. Stretch marks that have faded have paler color than the surrounding skin and a hint of shine, much like a scar.
According to research, there isn’t, at least not yet, a magic product or cream to get rid of stretch marks. However, certain home or natural remedies might lessen the visibility of pregnancy stretch marks and quicken their fading. Newer marks are more likely to respond to treatment.
Home Remedies for Pregnancy Stretch Marks
Stretch mark lotion pregnancy isn’t always required as they frequently go away when the reason for the skin’s stretching stops. Instead of using cream to get rid of stretch marks, you can lessen the pregnancy stretch marks with the following natural home remedies:
- Aloe Vera:
Remove the outer layer of the aloe vera leaf and slice out the inner gel which is to be applied on the stretch marks. Then wash off after 2-3 hours. - Coconut oil:
Many people use coconut oil to remove and lighten these marks. Virgin coconut oil is used to gently massage the area where stretch marks are noticed. Coconut oil hydrates the skin deeply and makes it more elastic, allowing it to stretch easily without scarring. - Centella:
It is commonly used in Korean beauty products. It is a herb, and its scientific name is Centella Asiatica. It is said to stimulate the cells that produce collagen (a protein that provides elasticity to the skin). It also stops the action of the hormone glucocorticoid, which destroys collagen in the skin. - Vitamin A:
Vitamin A is a vitamin necessary to maintain skin health. It is thus present in a multitude of skincare products by the name of retinol. Tretinoin is a retinoid (a form of Vitamin A) used for treating stretch marks. Studies have found that using retinol makes the stretch marks appear less severe and smaller. Oral vitamin A should not be used for stretch marks during pregnancy, while lactating or even while you’re trying to get pregnant, as it is known to cause harmful effects. - Olive oil:
Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and moisturizes the skin. Regular application of olive oil for stretch marks during pregnancy can reduce its occurrence. - Black tea:
You can boil a couple of tablespoons of black tea in water and dissolve a little salt in it. You can use this solution to apply to marks once it cools down. - Potatoes juice:
Potatoes are used to lighten dark circles under the eye and are well-known for lightening marks. In fact, potato skin and juice are touted to be useful even as a cream to reduce stretch marks and burns. - Egg whites:
The egg whites removed from the egg yolk can be applied directly onto the stretch marks.
When to Seek Medical Help
When stretch marks begin appearing, it is recommended that you see your doctor or other healthcare expert to get medical attention. After taking a complete medical history and performing a physical examination, a doctor will advise you on the best course of action for your situation.
Conclusion
Skin stretches during weight loss or pregnancy and develops into stretch marks. The white stretch marks are permanent, but the red or purple ones may fade into white stretch marks over time. Not much information is available regarding using natural or synthetic remedies to treat pregnancy stretch marks on the skin. A few natural remedies may be applied at home to make these scar-like lines on our bodies less noticeable.
