Do you see stretch marks, these streaky, thin slivers on the skin of your thighs, stomach, breasts, arms, or other areas of your body? Stretch marks are the result of your skin stretching due to a sudden change in your weight, rapid growth, pregnancy, or even be hereditary as well.
People develop stretch marks when the collagen in your skin is weakened, and the normal production cycle of skin is interrupted and damaged leaving the thin, light, slivery lines to appear on your skin. If you wish to get rid of them, here are some different ways to lighten, remove and prevent stretch marks.
Vitamin E
This is one of the best vitamins that help to rejuvenate broken skin by nourishing it with many nutrients. Vitamin E fights scars by lightening the skin, preventing skin stretching and restoring the skin’s elasticity when directly applied to the damaged area. You can find bottles of vitamin E capsules at most health food stores or drugstores near you. Simply puncture a capsule and apply the vitamin E oil directly the skin affected by stretch marks.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter comes directly from a cocoa bean and primarily helps with skin dryness and peeling. It helps maintain skin elasticity while healing damaged skin tissue. This moisturizer is perfect for those with sensitive skin and it can be combined with other essential oils for added skin benefits. Cocoa butter can be found at drugstores and health food stores. Once cocoa butter melted and cooled it should be directly applied to your stretch marks or any area of skin that is dry and needs moisture.
Jojoba Oil
While there are many essential oils that are great for the skin, jojoba oil is the one that has the most benefits. It is high in vitamins E and B which are great for healing the skin. It is also high in iodine (82%) which helps fight harmful bacteria on the skin. This oil also closely resembles the sebum that naturally occurs on the skin which helps protect and nourish. It also fights fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging. Found at any health foods store, jojoba oil can be directly applied to the skin.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment can be pricey, slightly painful, but can be very effective with fast results. This treatment is good for all skin types, from light to dark. Lasers are applied directly to the skin in short pulses over multiple areas of the skin. The body replaces the old damaged tissue with new collagen and elastin. The treatment can take a minimum of 30 minutes depending on the size of the of the area of skin affected by stretch marks. You may receive anywhere from 3-5 treatments for the best results. While recovery is quick, possible side effects may include temporary redness, itching, swelling, blistering, bruising and other skin irritations. Infections rarely occur.
Regular Exercise
One of the best ways to naturally prevent stretch marks is to exercise regularly. Exercising regularly helps regulate your weight, therefore preventing sudden weight gain and excessive fat. Exercising also keeps the skin’s elasticity by promoting circulation throughout the body.