Oh those ugly looking streaks on your skin! Be it men or women, nobody is spared from the occurrence of stretch marks! Stretch marks are basically lines or streaks that develop on the skin and differ in colour of the surrounding skin as well. They are the result of a sudden stretching of the skin and are extremely common. Anyone can develop stretch marks, although they tend to affect more women than men. Stretch marks can be visible on body parts including the tummy, thighs, hips, breasts, upper arms, and lower back. The marks form in the middle layer of the skin; when there is a constant stretch, the layer tears, leaving stretch marks. It has been seen that the age of puberty is when most boys and girls develop stretch marks on their body. We all are familiar with stretch marks as most of us have them, for some it hardly matters but for some it can be a cause of major concern. While laser therapies have been very successful in fading stretch marks, some of us might hesitate to go for laser therapies and would rather try out the home remedies if any. So if you are one of them, then this article is meant for you! Read on for some very effective home remedies for fading out the stretch marks. Though it will take a lot of time and you won’t see any changes instantly, continuing the remedy on a regular basis for a few weeks or months will surely be helpful.

Causes

Like every other skin problems, for example acne and pigmentation have causes for it, there are some specific causes of stretch marks as well. Read on for the most common causes of the narrow streaks on our skin.

Pregnancy

Like I mentioned earlier, stretch marks occur in women more than in men. The major reason is pregnancy. Stretch mark during pregnancy is a common feature and generally happens during the later stages when your baby is growing fast and your skin expands. The occurrence of stretch marks depends largely on skin type and skin elasticity. Women delivering their babies by the Caesarean method tend to suffer from the most severe stretch marks on their tummies. It also happens that during pregnancy, some hormonal changes take place that softens the skin fibre increasing the risk of stretch marks.

Puberty

Puberty is the phase where a lot of hormonal changes take place in the body of every boy or a girl. These hormonal changes lead to rapid growth cycles which can be a cause for stretch marks. In males, stretch marks commonly arise on the shoulders and back, while females typically develop stretch marks on the hips, thighs and breasts. Moreover, puberty is a phase when everyone is physically very active which can also be a cause.

Rapid weight gain

If you are a fitness freak and want to have abs and broad shoulder like any of leading actors, then you are at a higher risk of stretch marks! Yes, stretch marks may also arise if a person gains weight rapidly, such as when bodybuilders and athletes dramatically increase muscle mass over a short period of time.

Genetics

Unfortunately, stretch marks are also caused due to your genes. If any of your parents or grandparents has stretch marks, then you are also at the risk of it.

Home Remedies for Stretch Marks!

With a brief idea about the causes of stretch marks, let’s move on to some very effective home remedies for fading out the stretch marks. It is a time taking process, so don’t be disappointed if you are able to see any changes instantly, keep trying it out and you will surely see changes soon.

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly has been observed to be a very easy and effective way of treating stretch marks. All you need to do is apply it on the affected skin on a regular basis. You can apply it multiple time a day as well.

Aloevera

Not only good for the hair, aloe vera does wonders for treating stretch marks as well. Aloe secretes a clear gel when broken off from the rest of the plant can be applied to heal wounds and streatch marks. A specific component present in aloe vera known as the collagen helps in repairing the skin. It also maintains the elasticity of the skin, keeping it soft and hydrated. It tightens the skin, one reason why it is also extensively used for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. The most preferred way to use aloe for treating stretch marks is to directly apply the gel on the skin and let it stay for 10-15 minutes. You can also let it stay for an hour or so, there is no arm. Wash it off with lukewarm water. If you are not able to catch hold of the leaf, look for an aloe gel which is not diluted and has higher concentrations of aloe vera extracts.

Castor oil

Castor oil is considered to be a healing treatment for skin problems, like moles, dark spots, wrinkles, pimples, and fine lines. How is it used to heal stretch marks? Well, you can apply castor oil directly on the stretch marks. . Castor oil stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. Elastin is a protein in connective tissue that is elastic and allows tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching. It also helps skin to return to its original position when stretched. Now let’s get going and know how to use this oil for reducing stretch marks. Apply some castor oil to the stretch marks and gently massage the area in circular motions for 5 to 10 minutes.Wrap the area with a thin, cotton cloth. Using a hot water bottle or a heating pad, apply some heat to the affected area for at least a half an hour.

Egg whites

Egg whites have been used since a long time to get flawless skin. The components present in egg whites help in cleansing the skin and also treating acne. Egg whites tighten the skin, so the moment you feel your skin getting tightened, rinse off with warm water. It is also good for treating stretch marks, and the effect can be seen after a few uses itself. Egg white is rich in protein, which helps rejuvenate the skin and makes it look fresh. To use egg whites, simply separate the egg white and yolk and two eggs. Whip the egg white for a few minutes with a fork. Gently clean the affected skin with water and apply a thick coat of egg white on the skin. Let it stay for a few minutes and let it dry. After the coating dries out, rinse off with cold water ad apply olive oil or some other oil on the skin to keep it hydrated and moisturised. You can try this hack every day for a week or two.

Lemon juice

The astringent and anti-bacterial content in lemon help a lot in getting rid of many skin problems. A few drops of lemon juice works as one of the quickest pimple remedies, and it is also the best way to get rid of pimple marks as well. Lemon juice is other easy treatment for stretch marks. The acid present in lemon juice helps in reducing stretch marks, acne, skin injuries, and scars. The best way to use lemon is just by squeezing out some lemon juice and gently rubbing it on the affected skin in circular motions. Let it stay till the juice dries out, to let it seep into your skin. After it dries out, rinse off with warm water. This will reduce the stretch marks soon.

Sugar

Used as a natural exfoliator for skin, it is one of the best home remedies to get rid of stretch marks. Sugar is a natural source of glycolic acid that stimulates the skin and helps generate younger and fresher looking skin. Sugar’s small particles are used in a number of body scrubs to exfoliate skin and remove dead skin cells. All you need to do is mix a spoon of sugar with some almond oil, add a few drops of lemon juice if you want to. Now, run the mixture on the skin for a few minutes on a regular basis before taking a shower. It will take time, but your stretch marks will fade out for sure.

Potato juice

Potato juice is yet again easy hack to get rid of stretch marks on your abdomen, thigh, buttocks and other places. Potato contains starch, a product with emollient properties that soothes the skin. The presence of antioxidants in potatoes helps remove stretch marks. Potato juice is rich in minerals and vitamins. It promotes restoration and growth of skin cells. So what do you need to do to try this hack? Simply cut thick slices of a potato and gently rub one slice on the affected area for a few minutes. When you feel that the juice has dried up, wash your skin with lukewarm water. You can try this on a regular basis.

Olive oil

One of the most commonly used oil in households; it has a lot of beauty benefits as well. Olive oil is a very popular product that people use for centuries and, nowadays, it still goes strong and is widely used in cosmetic industry. Olive oil is very rich in vitamins, minerals and natural fatty acids. It’s also convenient for a sensitive skin. Another good feature of olive oil is that it keeps the skin hydrated and also maintains its elasticity and softness. It also rejuvenates the skin and also helps in regeneration of skin cells. This is definitely an easy way to get rid of those stretch marks that have been bothering you for long! All you need to do is simply massage the affected area with some olive oil, preferable virgin olive oil and let it stay. Leave it for half an hour so that the vitamins A, D and E present in the oil are absorbed by the skin. Take a bath and gently rinse it off. You can try this method every day before taking a bath and though it’s a time-taking process, you will surely feel those marks fading out soon.

Cocoa butter

Cocoa butter is famous for its anti-wrinkling and anti-aging properties. It helps in enhancing the blood circulation. Cocoa butter improves the skin elasticity and prevents dryness. Hence, it also reduces the stretch marks. Cocoa butter can be used just like oil treatment. They are also the primary ingredients present in most of the body lotions. The excellent natural moisturising components, it helps nourishing the skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. The best way to use cocoa butter is to apply it on the affected area just like you apply lotions. Apply a thick coat of cocoa butter and let it stay. You can rinse it with warm water or dab the skin with a soft wet cloth. This remedy can tried out every day. It has been seen that cocoa butter does nothing to fade out the stretch marks, but that depends on the type of stretch marks. Try it out, you never know it might work for you!

Water

Doctors all over the world suggest drinking plenty of water every day for a better lifestyle. Drinking water cleanses the body from inside, keeping you healthy. Your stretch marks on your thighs and other areas will also reduce by drinking plenty of water! Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water every day to keep your skin hydrated and to maintain its elasticity. Try avoiding tea, coffee and soda as they are dehydrating agents. Keeping your body well hydrated helps protect the skin from many kinds of problems and also aids in detoxification. It will also make your skin soft and help maintain its elasticity. It is advisable to avoid coffee, tea or soda. It is the quickest remedy to heal stretch marks.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has various benefits. This also works well in getting rid of those irritating stretch marks! The components present in tea tree oil works well for reducing stretch marks and also tightens the skin. All you need to do is soak some oil on a cotton swab and apply it on the affected area. Let it stay for a while, and rinse off with warm water.

With so many ways to fade out the marks, I’m definitely trying out a few from today itself! So everyone out there, no need to worry or cry over the ugly looking skin; pick any of the above remedies randomly and try it out now!