Stretch marks are thin parallel lines occurring on the skin due to excessive weight gain or sudden weight gain. The sensitivity of the skin is what determines how extreme the marks are as they differ from person to person with some people having no stretch marks at all. However, a majority of people do have the marks. This is also a common condition during puberty as the body undergoes various physical changes in both boys and girls.

In most cases, the marks appear in brown, pink or red lines and mostly appear on the abdomen, hips, buttocks and breasts. The underside of the upper arm may also suffer from this common condition. Some of the known causes for these stretch marks are pregnancy, obesity, hormonal changes and genetics. Unbalanced diet, prolonged use of medication and weight loss are some of the other causes for stretch marks.

Although stretch marks are normally painless, they leave the skin looking ugly and lifeless. This in turn affects the confidence of individuals in that they feel obliged to wear clothing that hides the affected parts of the skin. It can make things difficult for people to participate in activities that they love, such as swimming, for fear of judgment. There are, however, cases in which the scars become itchy depending on their size, which can be uncomfortable.

Most people have discovered that an effective way of getting rid of the stretch marks is to use natural remedies for their treatment. The natural remedies for stretch marks are made up of herbs and simple products that are easy to find within the house, making these home remedies a favorite of many people as it means they can treat the condition in the privacy of their own homes. The remedies have been tested and proven to be effective in treating this skin condition.

1. Home Remedies
2. Other Remedies
3. Diet

Home Remedies for Stretch Marks

Cocoa Butter as a Home Remedy for Stretch Marks

Properties: Cocoa butter is one of the most effective home remedies for stretch marks as it contains minerals which help in reducing and eventually clearing the marks. This remedy has been in use for a long time now and has proved to be effective every time.

Use of Cocoa Butter as a Treatment for Stretch Marks:

The cream is easily available in local stores. It should be applied to the areas affected by the marks twice daily, preferably in the morning and evening, to achieve the desired results within a short period of time. Positive results should be visible within the first few weeks of using this remedy and treatment should be continued till the scars disappear.

Coffee as a Natural Remedy for Stretch Marks

Properties: Although not many people know it, coffee has minerals which help in promoting good skin health. It helps in reducing marks and scars on the skin thereby leaving the skin looking and feeling beautiful soft and smooth. It is among the simplest natural remedies for stretch marks.

Use of Coffee as a Cure for Stretch Marks:

Take ground coffee and mix well with a hand lotion before rubbing this mixture on the stretch marks. This mixture should be massaged into the skin and then wiped off using a warm towel. For best results, individuals should repeat the exercise twice daily till the desired results are achieved.

Castor Oil as a Home Remedy for Stretch Marks

Properties: Castor oil has minerals which reduce the appearance of stretch marks and promote proper skin health in general. It also helps in proper blood circulation besides acting as nourishment for the skin. The oil has been in use for a long time as treatment for stretch marks as well as other skin conditions.

Use of Castor Oil as a Treatment for Stretch Marks:

Apply a generous amount of the oil onto the areas that have the stretch marks and cover using a plastic wrap. A heating pad should then be placed onto the plastic covering for half an hour before washing off the castor oil using water. This should be repeated daily until the desired results have been achieved.

Shea Butter as a Natural Remedy for Stretch Marks

Properties: Shea butter is rich in vitamins A and E which are essential in keeping the skin healthy, not just from outside but also from within. The vitamins make shea butter one of the most useful home remedies for stretch marks and are actually a very popular remedy when it comes to this condition.

Use of Shea Butter as a Cure for Stretch Marks:

Rub the areas of the skin which are affected by the stretch marks with this butter at least three times every day to heal the stretch marks. It works by reducing, then clearing the stretch marks, leaving the skin beautiful and attractive, boosting one’s confidence in the process.

Water as a Home Remedy for Stretch Marks

Properties: This most natural of remedies has essential minerals which help in promoting proper skin health. It flushes out toxins from the skin and keeps it well hydrated, thereby reducing most skin problems. It is also a good way of keeping the skin elastic enough to keep the marks from appearing at the slightest provocation.

Use of Water as a Treatment for Stretch Marks:

This is the simplest of the natural remedies for stretch marks as all one has to do is drink enough water on a daily basis to keep the skin hydrated. The recommended amount of water per day is 8 glasses. This is the best diet for the treatment and prevention of stretch marks.

Peanut Butter as a Natural Remedy for Stretch Marks

Properties: Peanut butter contains vitamins and minerals which aid in the reduction of stretch marks. This eventually leads to the complete clearance of the ugly marks from the body, leaving the skin looking and feeling attractive and soft.

Use of Peanut Butter as a Cure for Stretch Marks:

The peanut butter should be mixed well with Crisco and then rubbed onto the affected areas of the skin. The mixture should be massaged into the skin and left on the skin for fifteen minutes before washing it off using cold water. It is best to repeat this procedure three times a day to help in the fast disappearance of these marks. Peanut butter can also be used as a spread on bread or in meals as part of a diet for reducing skin problems.

Apricots as a Home Remedy for Stretch Marks

Properties: The essential minerals and nutrients found in apricots act as nourishment for the skin and also help in improving the elasticity of this organ. Most skin problems are prevented and taken care of, keeping the skin healthy and beautiful. It works on stretch marks by reducing their size and eliminating any itchiness that might be present.

Use of Apricots as a Treatment for Stretch Marks:

Take the apricots and grind them to make a scrub. This should then be applied onto the skin affected by the marks and rubbed well into the skin to speed up the fading of the marks. The paste should be left on the skin for around 20 minutes before it is washed off and this process repeated until the desired results are obtained. The fruits can also be eaten on a regular basis as part of a diet for the treatment of stretch marks and other skin conditions.

Flaxseed as a Natural Remedy for Stretch Marks

Properties: The oil of flaxseeds has been found to be effective in dealing with cases of stretch marks. The oil contains essential minerals and vitamins which help in reducing the marks and promoting good skin health. It is one of the most popular natural remedies for stretch marks as well as other skin conditions.

Use of Flaxseeds as a Cure for Stretch Marks:

The oil should be applied and massaged into the skin to get rid of new and old stretch marks on the skin. It works within a short period of time when it is used at least twice a day. The oil is best used after taking baths to achieve the best results.

Lavender as Home Remedy for Stretch Marks

Properties: Lavender is one of the best home remedies for stretch marks as it acts as nourishment and keeps the skin well hydrated, keeping occurrence of the stretch marks and scars at bay. The oil is also widely used as treatment for various other conditions affecting the skin as it has essential minerals promoting skin health.

Use of Lavender as a Treatment for Stretch Marks:

The oil of lavender is best to use in this case. It should be applied directly onto the skin areas that are affected by the stretch marks and massaged well. This should then be left on the skin for 20 minutes before washing it off. The fresh leaves of lavender can also be crushed into a paste and the paste applied to the stretch marks to help in reducing and clearing them.

Chamomile Oil as a Natural Remedy for Stretch Marks

Properties: Chamomile works on stretch marks by reducing itchiness and the size of the marks and scars, offering one of the best natural treatments for this condition. It is also widely used as treatment for other skin conditions as well as conditions of the respiratory and digestive systems.

Use of Chamomile as a Cure for Stretch Marks:

A few drops of the oil of chamomile should be mixed with jojoba and then applied onto the skin areas that have the stretch marks. This should be allowed to stay on the skin for a few minutes before washing it off. This procedure is best done twice daily and should be repeated until the desired results are achieved.

Aloe Vera as a Home Remedy for Stretch Marks

Properties: Aloe Vera has natural minerals and nutrients such as vitamins A and C which help in promoting skin health. This is one of the very best and most effective home remedies for stretch marks and is also widely used to treat a variety of other conditions that affect the skin, the respiratory system and the digestive system.

Use of Aloe Vera as a Treatment for Stretch Marks:

Apply aloe vera gel onto the skin areas that have stretch marks and leave on the skin until dry before washing it off using clean water. The gel can be mixed with olive oil to improve on the effectiveness. This should be applied two times daily until the desired results are achieved.

Cod Liver Oil as a Natural Remedy for Stretch Marks

Properties: Cod liver oil contains important minerals and vitamins which help in treating stretch marks. It is an especially good remedy for stretch marks which tend to be itchy. It also reduces and clears the stretch marks, leaving the skin looking naturally beautiful.

Use of Cod Liver Oil as a Cure for Stretch Marks:

The oil can be used together with calendula oil and applied to the skin affected by the stretch marks. This should be applied daily and left on the skin for half an hour to promote effective results within a short period of time.

Other Home Remedies for Stretch Marks

Take wheat germ oil and mix well with cod liver oil and calendula oil before applying to the stretch marks. This remedy helps in reducing and clearing the stretch marks from the skin.

One of the simplest natural remedies for stretch marks is Vaseline jelly. Apply Vaseline onto the stomach areas, especially during pregnancy. This helps in preventing the occurrence of stretch marks.

Mix avocado oil with jojoba and sweet almond oil before applying the mixture onto the affected areas of the skin. The oil of lavender can also be added to the mixture to make it more effective in dealing with stretch marks.

Heat beeswax, then store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. The beeswax should then be used on a daily basis as treatment for stretch marks.

Take calendula oil and apply to the skin areas that are likely to develop stretch marks or those that already have the marks as a simple way of treating the condition. The herb can also be ground into paste and the paste applied to the skin twice daily to provide effective results. The herb works on the stretch marks by enhancing proper blood flow to the skin, thereby reducing and preventing their occurrence.

Diet and Precautions for Stretch Marks

Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is one of the best ways to prevent stretch marks as well as maintain a healthy body weight, keeping the development of stretch marks at bay.

Ensure that you drink enough water on a daily basis as a way of promoting proper skin health. The water keeps the skin well hydrated and free from toxins and is also a way of promoting elasticity.

Eat lots of green vegetables and fresh fruits to keep the skin well supplied with nutrients and minerals that it requires to maintain good health. Fruits such as oranges, papayas and apples should be eaten as part of a diet for promoting good skin health.

Avoid drinking coffee and tea and replace the beverages with fresh fruit juices which have the essential nutrients for the skin’s health.

Increase your intake of foods that are rich in protein, vitamins C and E and zinc. These can be found in foods such as fish, dairy products and eggs, which can be eaten as part of a diet for skin health.

Do regular muscle toning exercises to reduce stretch marks. This is especially essential during pregnancy when the skin tends to stretch the most. Yoga and meditation are some of the other exercises which have proven to be helpful when dealing with cases of stretch marks as they help calm the body, promoting a good supply of oxygen to the body.