When people gain a lot of weight quickly they often find that
stretch marks can develop on their body. These are linear scars that are
caused by tearing in the top three layers of the skin when it stretches
too quickly. This often happens to pregnant women, pubescent teenagers
in a growth spurt and body builders attempting to bulk up.
They are dark red or purple at first but rapidly fade to a white or silver color. They are easier to treat and get rid of when they first appear and before they start to lose color. There are numerous natural stretch mark remedies that can be used to holistically treat the scars -- and 6 such remedies have been listed below!
They are dark red or purple at first but rapidly fade to a white or silver color. They are easier to treat and get rid of when they first appear and before they start to lose color. There are numerous natural stretch mark remedies that can be used to holistically treat the scars -- and 6 such remedies have been listed below!
1. Specially Formulated Creams, Lotions, And Gels
When
talking about natural stretch mark remedies it is necessary to discuss
all of the holistic creams and lotions that can be used to prevent
scarring from happening and aid in treating stretch marks that already
exist. Anti stretch mark creams can work in several different ways. They
can help to lubricate the skin so that it stays supple and flexible and
is less likely to develop scars. Some creams act as an exfoliate and
help to remove scar tissue that has built up in stretch marks. Other
creams include natural proteins that help to repair the skin and make it
more resistant to damage. The best creams are those that have all of
these characteristics.
A well known cream for preventing and
treating these scars is cocoa butter but there are many other useful
natural creams and lotions. Some of these are emu oil, mink oil, jojoba
oil, collagen, elastin, aloe vera, lavender oil and liquid vitamin E.
2. Losing Weight Means Losing Stretch Marks (Usually)
As
was discussed earlier, these unsightly scars are caused by a rapid
weight gain and over stretching of the skin. One way to remove them
effectively is to lose weight so that the body and skin return to their
original size. This is most effective for women that have been pregnant
and have already delivered their babies.
3. Healthy Diets For Better, Stronger Skin
Healthy
skin is usually the result of a healthy body so eating a nutritious
diet is a natural form of stretch mark reduction. In order for the skin
to stay flexible and supple it needs a wide variety of vitamins,
nutrients and minerals. Good foods for the skin that contain fatty acids
and antioxidants are fresh fruits and vegetables, fish from cold waters
and products made with whole grains.
4. Use Vitamin Supplements to Strengthen Your Skin
To
ensure that the body and the skin are getting all of the nutrients,
minerals and vitamins that they need it is a good idea to take a
supplement every day. Some of the more important nutrients the skin
needs are vitamins A, C, E and K as well as the mineral zinc. Add a
daily dose of these to your regular meals to give your give the boost it
needs to fend off stretch marks.
5. Stretching Exercises
Exercise
can be beneficial to minimizing and removing these bothersome scars,
particularly exercises that emphasize stretching. These types of
exercise can help to break down the scar tissue, which is what stretch
marks are made of.
6. Try Exfoliating Your Skin Regularly
Exfoliating
the skin to remove a thin layer of it can reduce scar tissue and
eventually lead to the complete removal of these nasty blemishes.
Besides removing scar tissue exfoliation cleans off any dead skin cells
and detritus on the surface of the skin to allow it to breathe better.
Use a good natural cleanser and a mildly abrasive applicator for best
results.By
Sean Saunders
