For many women, stretch marks are an inevitable side effect of pregnancy. As the skin expands during pregnancy to make room for weight increase as well as the expanding uterine and breast tissue, these red, purple, pink, reddish-brown, or dark brown streaks might show up at any moment. There is nothing improper about having stretch marks, yet many individuals want to hide them.
Stretch marks are permanent, but they do naturally decrease over time—and some may disappear more than others if treated early, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA).
To get rid of stretch marks on their hips, breasts, chests, or tummies, some individuals use pricey, chemical-filled lotions, but not all of those remedies are suitable for use during pregnancy. Since many treatments intended to cure stretch marks include chemicals, such as retinol, that may be detrimental to a growing fetus, AADA actually advises pregnant and lactating persons to go to a doctor before reaching for these products.
Natural therapies may help stretch marks diminish just as well as costly ones if you really wish to carefully cure your pregnant stretch marks. Here are nine inexpensive natural stretch mark remedies that you can purchase or make yourself that won’t harm you or your unborn child’s health.
Natural Remedies for Stretch Marks supported from science
Coconut Oil
The fatty acids in coconut oil are readily absorbed by the skin. Some plant oils, like coconut oil, may serve as a barrier of defense on the skin, which, in part because of its anti-inflammatory characteristics, can aid in the skin’s ability to recover.
Despite the paucity of research on the benefits of plant oils like coconut oil on human skin, one important animal study indicated that coconut oil may stimulate the creation of collagen, which may hasten the healing of stretch marks. Coconut oil should be used directly on stretch marks. This organic component doesn’t need to be removed afterward!
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has stalked, emerald-green leaves that retain nutrients and water. Aloe vera has therapeutic characteristics that help promote good healing, as well as its capacity to lessen the appearance of stretch marks.
If you have an aloe vera plant in your house, cut off a stalk and apply the gooey inside on your stretch marks (rinsing is not necessary). As an alternative, you might get aloe vera gel and apply it once daily to your stretch marks.
Cocoa Butter
Super-hydrating cocoa butter, which is made from cocoa beans, penetrates the skin deeply and helps it retain moisture, which may eventually make stretch marks less noticeable. Give your stretch marks a liberal coating of cocoa butter and massage it into the skin. Do this once or twice daily, particularly after taking a shower.
Egg Whites
Because it is thought that the viscous egg whites may moisturize skin and leave a tightening effect as it dries, egg whites have long been utilized for do-it-yourself anti-aging beauty treatments. Egg whites have been shown in triple-blind clinical research to speed up healing and reduce scar tissue formation. Whip two egg whites with a fork to get ready. The frothy whites should be applied to your skin, let to dry, and then washed off.
Apply a layer of moisturizer or olive oil after. To notice benefits, repeat this procedure daily (or many times each week). Of course, because egg whites may cause allergic reactions, persons with egg allergies should avoid applying them topically. If you are worried about possible side effects, see your doctor.
Lemon Juice
Folk medicine often contains lemons, and for good reason. Citric acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with a high concentration (up to 10%), may aid in skin regeneration by lowering scar pigmentation and other side effects of scarring. There is empirical evidence that lemons include astringent, antibacterial, and detoxifying characteristics that can all help repair stretch marks and other skin issues, even if clinical research on how successful lemons may be at healing skin is few.
Lemon juice should be applied on a cotton ball, which you should then leave on your skin for around 10 minutes. Regular application of the lemon juice’s natural acids may reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Use the right lotion while massaging.
Spend less money on pricey creams. Stretch mark lotion is not the miraculous treatment it is marketed as. However, there are advantages to regular moisturizing, including relief from pregnancy-related dry skin and itchy skin on the belly! Your belly, sides, lower back, thighs, and legs are the parts of your body that are most likely to develop stretch marks during pregnancy since these regions are put under the greatest pressure as your baby develops.
Therefore, the skin in these regions has to be thoroughly hydrated in order to aid in the skin stretching without leaving scars. However, since they can’t go deep enough into the skin, your typical moisturizer may not be able to work.
One of the top creams available for moms is StretcHeal, as per StretcHeal reviews. Use the correct kind of lotion and gently massage twice daily throughout your pregnancy the areas most prone to stretch marks. Studies suggest that using a lotion for your skin that includes collagen and the vitamins E, A, C, and K may help tighten up loose skin, even if many items on the market are frauds.
