Stretch marks are a common problem affecting both men and women, especially after sudden changes in weight or after childbirth.
Stretch marks can occur on almost any area of the body, although they are most commonly found on the stomach, arms or legs.
While it's often impossible to completely eliminate deep stretch marks, there are several ways to reduce their appearance.
You could try one of the many stretch mark creams available, or you could save your cash and give these natural remedies a try first...
Olive Oil
Olive oil is one of the most effective natural remedies for treating skin problems, including psoriasis, dry skin, premature wrinkles and stretch marks.
Olive oil has a nourishing and restorative effect on skin, helping to repair damaged skin cells while keeping the skin soft and supple.
Apply a thin layer of olive oil to stretch marks and the surrounding area twice a day. To improve absorption into the skin, warm the oil in your hands for a few minutes before applying to skin.
Sea Salt
Sea salt has a softening effect on skin and can be used to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. Exfoliating stretch marks and the surrounding area encourages the production of new cells, helping to smooth and improve the appearance of skin.
Mix fine sea salt with a little oil, such as olive, almond or coconut oil, and gently massage into the stretch marks.
Raw Potato
One of the oldest remedies for treating stretch marks, scars and blemishes is raw potato. The juice found in fresh, raw potato contains a variety of vitamins and minerals that can help to heal skin problems, making it an inexpensive and safe treatment for stretch marks.
Chop a large potato into thick slices and rub gently over the skin. Alternatively, allow the juice to soak into the skin by placing the potato slices onto stretch marks and leaving for a few minutes.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera helps to improve the skin's elasticity, particularly after rapid weight loss. It is also an effective treatment for a whole range of common skin conditions, including psoriasis, scarring and dry or dehydrated skin.
If you have an aloe vera plant, the gel can be squeezed from the leaf directly onto the skin. Alternatively, most health food shops now sell aloe vera gel or liquid, both of which can be applied to the skin.
Egg Whites
Egg whites have long been used to make homemade face masks, mainly due to their skin-softening properties. Egg whites can also help to restore the skin's elasticity, especially when applied regularly.
Whip one or two egg whites and apply a generous layer onto the stretch marks and the surrounding area. Allow the egg white to dry, before rinsing off with warm water.
Stretch marks are actually just a type of scar, that happens when your skin is stretched too quickly. This is why they often appear during pregnancy, puberty or periods of rapid weight gain. Just like any other type of scar, they can be treated in a number of ways. Including home remedies or scar lightening creams.
If do nothing with your stretch marks, they will fade and become less prominent over time. However if you don't want to wait for that to happen, the natural remedies above are a great place to start.
Last Updated : August 9th, 2022
Debby Lee is the main writer and founder of Mylighterskin.com
She has been a full time writer and website manager for ten years. Her main area of expertise is in the health and beauty industry, with a special interest in skin care.
