What Are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are off-color lines that appear on the surface of the skin when a part of the body quickly changes in size. For pregnant women, the most commonly affected sites are the abdomen, thighs, breasts, buttocks, and upper arms. Stretch marks typically begin to appear in the third trimester, when the mother’s body begins to grow much faster than her skin can stretch.
Initially, the skin marks are pink or purple in color but later fade to gray. Women with lighter skin color usually get pinkish stretch marks, whereas those with darker skin typically develop lines that are of lighter color than their skin hue.
Why Do Stretch Marks Occur?
The most common cause of stretch marks is rapid weight gain (such as during pregnancy or puberty). Weight loss or some other physical condition can also result in stretch marks. Typically, however, the underlying factor is genetics. If you are newly pregnant and wonder if you will develop stretch marks, just ask your mother if she did.
In simple terms, the mechanism of developing stretch marks has to do with the weakening of collagen production that occurs when the elastic fibers under the skin surface stretch beyond their capacity and begin to break. The resulting fine scars are what we call stretch marks.
How to Prevent Stretch Marks?
The truth is, whether you are genetically predisposed to them or not, once you reach the third trimester of pregnancy, you will develop stretch marks regardless of what you do. Still, it is always beneficial to drink a lot of water and keep your skin moist by applying a rich lotion. (The lotion will also help with the skin itching that comes when the belly begins to grow.)
Over-the-Counter Moisturizer/Lotion
Applied daily, a moisturizer can strongly improve the elasticity of skin. The more elastic the subcutaneous fibers, the less likely they will be to tear when the skin stretches during the body growth. Note that you can also see some positive results if you apply lotion on old stretch marks, but generally, lotion works best when applied to newly formed lines or to areas that have not yet developed stretch marks.Glycolic Acid
Chemicals used in some moisturizers may not be healthy to apply during pregnancy. Moisturizers that contain glycolic acid are generally safe, however, and you could also consider applying glycolic acid by itself. It will stimulate collagen production and make your skin more elastic. Just remember to stay out of the sun if possible after applying it.Egg Yolk Oil (Oleova)
Oleova is a natural nutrient for the hair and is especially beneficial for dry scalp. Egg oil is also used to treat wounds. It is probably best known, however, as an ingredient of skin creams. As such, it is known to help prevent stretch marks if rubbed onto the skin twice a day starting in the third trimester.Homemade Moisturizer
If you want to be completely sure that only natural products touch your skin, you could make your own anti-stretch-mark moisturizer by mixing equal parts of wheat germ oil, olive oil, and aloe vera. Another recipe calls for half a teaspoon of lavender oil, half a teaspoon of chamomile oil, and two teaspoons of almond oil. Apply the mixture at least twice a day, and rub it into your skin for as long as possible (the longer the better).How to Remove Stretch Marks?
Though some would argue that old stretch marks never completely fade away, there are ways to visibly reduce their appearance. Keep in mind that the best time to start treating stretch marks is while they are still new (reddish in color), but even if you have waited too long, you still have options.
Let’s start with some natural-ingredient methods.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is used in the treatment of various skin problems, including stretch marks. Rub it onto the affected areas, and gently massage for several minutes. Next, apply a heating pad over the treated area, and hold it for at least thirty minutes. Repeat the process daily, and you might begin to notice results after a month.Aloe Vera Gel
You can rub aloe vera gel on your skin by itself, but it works better when combined with vitamin E and vitamin A. Mix one-fourth cup of aloe vera gel with oil from ten vitamin E and five vitamin A capsules, and rub onto your skin until the mixture is absorbed. Repeat daily.Egg Whites
Rich on proteins and amino acids, egg whites too can help stretch marks begin to fade. Whip them and apply a thick layer on the area you want to treat. Wait till the egg whites dry, then wash the skin with cold water. Finish by applying olive oil on the skin to keep it moist.Sugar and Lemon Juice
White sugar can function as exfoliant. It can help stretch marks become lighter if rubbed onto the skin for several minutes a daily before shower. It works best if a tablespoon of sugar is mixed with a few drops of almond oil and a few drops of lemon juice. (Some people use lemon by itself to make scars less visible. A type of scar, stretch marks may also begin to fade when rubbed with lemon juice for ten or more minutes a day.)If you do not have the time or the ingredients to make your own remedy, you can buy one from the pharmacy. Your doctor may prescribe one of the following:
Retinoic Acid Cream
Retinoic acid cream (Differin, Retin-A, Renova, Tazorac) stimulates collagen growth and works well on new stretch marks but is not as effective on old ones. You will need a prescription to get it, and you will be advised not to use it while you are pregnant or breastfeeding as it can cause birth defects. If you do use it, protect your skin from the sun as it will be more susceptible to burning.Lextrin
Lextrin is a cream containing natural essential oils and vitamins that could reduce the appearance of stretch marks within a few weeks of regular use. Unfortunately, its active ingredients are hyarolunic acid, thuja occidentalis, and centella asiatica, and products containing thuja occidentalis are not safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.If all of the above methods fail to show satisfactory results, you may want to consider a more expensive but also possibly a lot more effective method:
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