HOME REMEDIES TO REMOVE STRETCH MARKS AFTER PREGNANCY

  

 Stretch marks are common among women after pregnancy. You might have fine lines mostly in the areas prone to fat accumulation like breast, hips, arms, abdomen, tummy and thighs. They may develop due to hormonal changes or sudden fat loss in these regions. Here, MomJunction tells you how to get rid of stretch marks through home remedies, and medical treatments.

Is It Possible To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks?

      Stretch marks eventually get lighter with time but will never disappear completely. Though you may not get rid of them in a natural way, certain remedies might help in minimizing their appearance (1). You may consider some massaging creams, lotions, and oils that may turn your skin smooth and supple.

Home Remedies To Remove Pregnancy Stretch Marks

1. Oil Treatment:

Massaging the affected areas with oils make your skin smooth and help reduce the stretch marks. Some of the popularly used oils include:

Olive Oil: Olive oil moisturizes and exfoliates your skin. It also improves the blood circulation and removes stretch marks to a great extent . 

• Take some oil in your palms and gently massage the area.
• Let it remain for 30 minutes so that the vitamins A, D and E in the oil are absorbed into the skin.
• Take a bath after the massage.
• Though it is a time-taking process, it gives you results when you follow it regularly.
• Or you can also prepare a mixture of olive oil, water and vinegar, and apply in the nights.

Vitamin E Oil:

• Extract the oil from vitamin E capsule.
• Mix with any moisturizer you use regularly and apply on the stretch marks.
• On regular usage, it gives effective results by fading off the marks.

Castor Oil:

• Apply castor oil on the stretch marks and massage the area gently in circular motion for about five to ten minutes.
• Use a plastic bag to cover the area, roll a hot water bottle on it for about 30 to 40 minutes. The heat opens the pores and the oil gets absorbed into the pores.
• Clean the area and repeat it every day for at least a month to see good results.

2. Aloe Vera:

Aloe vera promotes healing and soothes your skin. Use fresh gel rather than the one available in the market.

• Rub it directly over the skin, leave for 15 minutes and wash it off using lukewarm water. Apply on the affected areas regularly.
• You can also prepare a mixture of one-fourth cup of aloe vera gel with oil from five vitamin A and ten vitamin E capsules. Rub it over the skin until it is completely absorbed. Apply it twice a day.

3. Honey:

The antiseptic property of honey works in reducing stretch marks.

• Take a small cloth and apply honey on it.
• Place the cloth on the affected area and let it remain until it turns dry.
• Rinse off using warm water.
• Or you can prepare honey scrub by mixing it with salt and glycerin. Apply it on the stretch marks, leave until it dries and rinse off using water.

4. Egg White:

Egg white is rich in protein, which helps rejuvenate the skin and makes it look fresh.

• Beat two egg whites using a fork.
• Clean the affected area with water and apply a thick layer of egg white using a makeup brush.
• Let it dry and then rinse off using cold water.
• Apply some olive oil to keep the skin supple and moisturized.
• Repeat it every day for at least two weeks. It helps improve your skin tone, and the marks fade away slowly.

5. Shea Butter Or Cocoa Butter:

       Shea or cocoa butter can be used just like oil treatment. They are also the primary ingredients present in most of the body lotions.

       Take some shea or cocoa butter and apply on the stretch marks regularly. Rinse off the area after some time.

        This remedy improves the skin elasticity, prevents dryness and reduces the stretch marks. Cocoa butter is an excellent moisturizer and helps nourish your skin.

6. Sugar:

     Sugar is one of the best remedies for stretch marks. It exfoliates your dead skin, and your stretch marks turn lighter.

• Take one tablespoon of sugar, mix with some almond oil and a few drops of lemon juice.
• Use it as a scrub before you go for a shower.
• Do this every day for a month.

7. Lemon Juice:

The acidic property of lemon juice works in healing stretch marks.

• Rub fresh lemon juice on the affected area.
• Leave it for about 10 minutes so that the juice soaks into your skin.
• Rinse off using warm water.
• Apply every day for better results.
• Or you can also make a mixture of lemon and cucumber juice in equal proportions and apply it on the stretch marks.

8. Water:

The skin should be well-hydrated to erase the stretch marks and other skin conditions. Consume at least 10 to 12 glasses of water every day to keep your skin hydrated and protected from toxins. It keeps your skin supple and restores its elasticity. Try avoiding tea, coffee and soda as they are dehydrating agents.

9. Apricot:

• Deseed the fruit and cut into small pieces.
• Crush the fruit in a blender to make a paste.
• Apply on the stretch marks, leave for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Rinse off with lukewarm water and repeat regularly.

10. Potato Juice:

Potato contains phytochemicals, polyphenols, and carotenoids, which improve the skin texture.

• Cut a potato into two halves and rub one-half over the stretch marks.
• Allow the juice to soak into the skin and let it dry.
• Then rinse off the area using lukewarm water.
• You can notice the difference in a few months.
• Or you can use potato juice or pulp.

11. Turmeric And Sandalwood:

They are known for their ability to promote brighter and even skin texture.

• Prepare one spoon of sandalwood paste by rubbing sandalwood stick in a bit of water.
• Prepare a smooth paste of fresh turmeric root.
• Mix both in equal proportions and apply on the skin.
• Leave until it dries almost to 60% and then scrub your skin until all of it comes off.
• Repeat every day for at least six months to see the improvement.

12. Milk, Sugar And Green Coconut Water:

Scrubs are effective in boosting the skin regeneration process, and they are one of best ways to remove stretch marks after birth of the baby.

• Mix two spoons of raw milk, a few drops of lemon juice and cucumber juice, half a spoon of sugar.
• Apply on the stretch marks and scrub for around five minutes in a circular motion.
• Rinse off with water and pat the area dry.
• Apply coconut water in excess and allow it to dry until you can sense the stretch on the skin.
• Then apply shea butter or aloe vera gel.
• After some time, rinse off the area and then apply moisturizer.
• You can use this remedy three times a week to help remove marks and lighten the skin.
• Repeat not more than 3 times a week.

13. Alfalfa:

Alfalfa leaves are a great source of protein, essential amino acids, and vitamins E and K. Their antifungal property detoxifies the skin and helps heal the stretch marks.

• Prepare a smooth paste by mixing the powder with a few drops of chamomile oil.
• Massage it all over the stretch marks.
• Apply two to three times a day and you can notice stretch marks fading away within a week.
• Alfalfa powder is available in food stores.

14. Home-Made Moisturizer:

Moisturizer helps improve skin elasticity. You should choose it depending on your skin type. If your skin is dry, you should use the one with cocoa butter and if your skin is oily, use cream which contains aloe vera or a clay moisturizer.

• Mix olive oil, aloe vera gel and wheat germ oil in equal proportions.
• You can use it as a moisturizer if you have dry or combination skin type.
• The above mixture can be mixed with clay if your skin is an oily type.

15. Home-Made Lotion:

• Take a quarter cup of aloe vera gel and a half cup of extra virgin olive oil.
• Extract oil from six vitamin E capsules and three to four vitamin A capsules.
• Mix all these ingredients, take in a glass bottle and store in the refrigerator.
• The natural stretch marks removal lotion can be applied every day.

16. Home-Made Cream:

• Mix half a cup of cocoa butter, one tablespoon of vitamin E oil and two tablespoons of grated beeswax.
• You may add apricot kernel oil and wheat germ oil as well.
• Bring the mixture to boil until the wax gets melted.
• Store it in a bottle and refrigerate it.
• you can use every day.