Stretch marks are something that many of us will encounter at some point in our lives. During puberty as our bodies are growing and changing the skin’s elasticity can struggle to keep up with the rapid growth and the changes in body shape. The same can happen during pregnancy as women’s bodies change and grow to accommodate their unborn child.

In our last blog post we looked at what causes stretch marks, and we discovered that they occur in the middle layer of the skin, the dermis, when a rapid contraction or expansion of the skin stretches the connective tissue of the skin beyond its maximum flexibility.

In this post we’re going to carry on taking a look at some of the amazing natural home remedies that can help to lessen the appearance of your stretch marks, and even get rid of them all together...

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is renowned for its soothing and healing properties. The aloe vera plant contains the same collagen that human skin needs to repair itself, so it’s perfect for treating a variety of skin ailments including stretch marks, burns, and acne. You can either use the plant or the store-bought gel, but the plant is recommended.

• If using the aloe vera leaf, start by de-thorning it and removing the outer skin. Then remove the sticky gel from inside the leaf.
• Once you have the gel, whether it’s from the leaf or from a bottle, apply it to your stretch marks and leave it for around two hours.
• Rinse it off with warm water.

Natural Oils

Oils are excellent natural emollients and are used to treat a variety of skin and scalp problems. Olive oil is packed full of antioxidants and nutrients that are great for the skin. Massage it into the affected area for half an hour daily to see results. There are several other oils that are effective in treating stretch marks too, just remember to mix them with a carrier oil like olive or almond oil before applying them to the skin:

• Lavender oil
• Rose oil
• Chamomile oil
• Geranium oil
• Frankincense oil
• Helichrysum oil
• Myrrh oil

Lifestyle choices for healthy skin

You can also help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, and lessen the chances of developing them in the future, by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

• Stay hydrated: A well hydrated body means supple skin that is able to keep hold of its natural elasticity much better. Drinking plenty of water also flushes toxins out of the body and can ease things like cellulite too. You should be aiming for around 8 to 10 glasses of water per day, and avoid alcohol and sugary drinks where possible.
• Eat a balanced diet: If you want your body to be on your side in the fight against stretch marks then you need to keep it properly nourished. Your diet should include plenty of lean proteins like beans, fish, egg whites, nuts and seeds. Foods rich in vitamin C and E will promote skin tissue growth, so eat plenty of peppers, leafy greens, strawberries, and tropical fruits like papaya and kiwi. Avoid saturated fats and processed foods as these can make you gain weight, potentially causing stretch marks.
• Exercise regularly: If you want healthy skin then regular cardio exercise is essential. Things like swimming, running, cycling, and aerobics will get your heart pumping and improve your circulation. Better circulation means that essential oxygen can reach your skin cells, helping them to do their job better. Improving your circulation will also help your body to remove toxins more efficiently.