10 Stretch Mark Removal Tips
Dealing with stretch marks is frustrating. Stretch marks are those annoying lines that appear on the skin after it has been significantly stretched, such as during pregnancy or a rapid growth spurt. They are actually scar tissue that is deep beneath the surface of the skin. They can be a serious confidence killer and really difficult to avoid or to get rid of completely.
With a little effort and the right care, stretch marks can become more manageable and less noticeable so that you can stop feeling self-conscious and go back to feeling like your old confident self again. There are lots of home remedies for treating stretch marks, and there are store-bought products, medical treatments, preventative measures, and cover-up techniques as well. These 10 stretch mark removal tips aim to help you get your smooth, stretch mark-free skin back. Try one, or try them all, with the hopes of finding at least one method that will work well for you.
Initial Prevention
1. Even if you already have some stretch marks, preventative methods should not be ignored. Before doing anything that may result in stretch marks, like becoming pregnant or bodybuilding, take these preventative measures to help minimize the formation of stretch marks. Regularly moisturize stretch mark-prone areas using the creams and oils discussed previously. Eat foods that are known to improve the skin’s strength and elasticity, like almonds, broccoli, eggs, fish, and green tea. Finally, drink lots and lots of water.
Home Remedies, Store-Bought Solutions, and Possible Medical Options
2. Simply frequently exfoliating your skin can help reduce the appearance of the stretch marks over time. Exfoliating helps to remove dead surface layers of skin and reveal the fresh new skin beneath it. Doing so regularly and consistently results in the unveiling of newly regenerated skin and can help make stretch marks a little less visible. Baking soda, oatmeal, and sugar are great exfoliators that you probably already have in your kitchen at home.
3. Hydration is also essential to your skin’s overall health and appearance, particularly if you are exfoliating a lot. Generously apply baby oil, coconut oil, or vitamin E oil to any areas with stretch marks after exfoliating. Drinking plenty of water and unsweetened fruit juice also helps keep your body and skin moisturized. Keeping your skin and body properly hydrated adds to the suppleness and elasticity of your skin, which makes it more resilient.
4. All kinds of homemade solutions have been circulating for decades. Some will claim that there is no credibility in them whatsoever, and while they may not work for everyone, some people do show some promising results, so you may consider it to be worth a try. Mix a few drops of chamomile into some lavender oil. Rub it into the affected areas three times a day. Not only will it reduce the visibility of stretch mark lines, but it also has a pleasant and relaxing aroma.
5. Another example of a homemade solution involves mixing egg whites and egg white powder to form a thick consistency that will easily stay on the skin. Apply it to the affected areas, let it sit for a while, for instance while you watch a movie, do some reading, or catch up with a close friend on the phone, then rinse it off with warm water in the shower. The idea behind this recipe is that the high protein content of the eggs will aid in the regeneration of the skin’s damaged proteins and help to plump it back up and smooth out the unevenness.
6. You can also try mixing lemon juice and mint into some aloe vera gel and applying it to the desired areas every night before going to bed. Leave it on overnight and wash it off in the shower the next morning. This method is used as both a means of getting rid of already present marks as well as a precautionary treatment against future marks. The acidity of the lemon acts as an astringent and can lighten the marks on the skin while the aloe helps with moisture and elasticity for strength and healing. Mint is also a natural astringent, but it also helps soothe and relax the skin and body as well as remove dead skin cells and prevent pores from clogging.
7. Aside from the oils mentioned above, there are also some moisturizing products on the market that claim to reduce the visibility of stretch marks. Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy cream, Revitol, and Skinception, are some examples of such products. They are used just like other lotions and creams, but generally have to be applied very frequently (as in multiple times a day). Be sure to follow the instructions printed on the packaging carefully for the best results. No product can entirely remove stretch marks, and different products work better for different people, but these tend to get good user reviews.
8. If you are lucky enough to be looking into treating your stretch marks when they are still brand new, then you may have a better chance of lightening them to a satisfactory degree. Find a lotion or oil that you like that contains aloe vera, cocoa butter, jojoba extract, shea butter, or some combination of these ingredients. Regular application of these ingredients to a fairly new mark frequently shows positive results. The ability of these substances to moisturize, condition, and repair skin helps it to return to a more visibly appealing state and keeps your skin healthy and resistant to future marks.
9. There are a few surgical procedures used for the treatment of stretch mark lines as well. Laser surgery works in different ways depending on your individual need. It can help to lighten the color of darker scar tissue and red marks, making them more closely resemble the surrounding skin color, and it can help reduce white marks on those with darker skin. Microdermabrasion probe procedures, which are generally associated with facial skin treatments, are another means of combating stretch marks. Both of these methods can be a little pricey.
Hiding the Evidence
10. If all else fails, or just during the process of treating your stretch marks, you can always use some cover-up methods to further hide the scars. Evenly applying a foundation over the affected areas just as you would to cover up blemishes or marks on your face can help make them less noticeable to yourself and to others. Sunless tanning products and bronzers can also aid you in hiding the marks. You may also consider trying tattoo cover-up cosmetics as they are meant to stay put while covering very dark markings and large areas.
Almost everyone struggles with stretch marks in some area at some point in their life. The main thing is to take good care of your skin before and after the arrival of stretch marks so that it can have the best possible chance of avoiding the marks in the first place and healing itself should the marks appear. There is no way to 100% avoid or get rid of stretch marks. The 10 stretch mark removal tips addressed above are not miracle workers or fail-proof solutions, but hopefully with some time and attention you will see some satisfactory results and feel more comfortable in your own skin.