How to Combat Stretch Marks
How to Combat Stretch Marks
Hey guys!
Like cellulite, stretch marks are a topic we wish we never had to discuss. But since many of us are genetically predisposed to them (yep, you can thank your mom and her mom for the unwanted gift), I thought I’d share with you the reasons they show up, and the natural ways you can make them less noticeable.
First off, there is no magic cure. Sorry guys! Once you have them, removing them completely is impossible. When your skin is stretched from weight gain, puberty or pregnancy, the skin stretches and the dermis layer rips apart. The dermis is underneath your epidermis, which is the top layer of the skin. It’s the epidermis that causes the zebra stripes that first appear pinkish purple, and later fade to white. The good news is, various creams and at-home remedies (and if you’re so inclined, laser treatments) can help the epidermis, reducing the look of the stretch marks, however, the dermis will always remain ripped. It’s best to start any remedy when they first appear because your body has powerful healing qualities! Quicker healing can mean less obvious marks down the road. The key is preventing the new marks from becoming permanent and highly noticeable by slathering on some of these tried-and-true methods below…
1) If you’re not pregnant, one of the most powerful remedies is a prescription for a retinol-based product like Retin-A. It’s commonly used for acne and scars and causes the skin cells to turn over faster, which can sometimes cause redness and peeling, but ultimately leaves you with new-fresher skin.
2) If you don’t want to get a prescription, you can try an over-the-counter retinol face cream, but use it on the affected areas instead. It won’t have the strength of the prescription, but retinols are Vitamin-A based, and Vitamin A increases collagen, which is what you want to build firmness and texture.
3) Since Vitamin-A is such a YES, you can go straight to the source and rub the oil straight onto your stomach, hips or wherever the lines pop up.
4) Olive oil isn’t just for cooking, it’s great for your skin and has been a remedy passed down from grandmothers all around the world. Not only does olive oil leave the skin super soft, which helps it stretch with ease, but it improves blood circulation and has been shown to reduce stretch marks. Heat it slightly, massage it on and leave it for 30 minutes before washing off so that all the vitamins (A, D and E) are absorbed. Or, apply before bed and wear your less-cute jammies and don’t bother washing it off.
5) Cocoa butter has been used by pregnant moms for decades because it’s incredibly moisturizing. It’s best to apply it twice per day from the very beginning of pregnancy in order to hydrate the skin early and keep it as elastic as possible while the body gradually expands. Think of it like a primer; the less uncomfortable, dry stretching, the better.
6) Lemon juice is highly acidic so it can act like a natural bleaching agent for stretch marks. Just cut a lemon in half and rub the flesh in circular motions on the affected areas. Let it dry for about 10 minutes (hey- that’s the perfect amount of time to do a face-mask, so multi-task there for sure!) and then wash it off.
7) Potato juice. I know this seems weird, and don’t go thinking you’ll buy some extras to make French fries, but the juice of regular baking potatoes contain vitamins, minerals and restorative properties for the skin. Just slice them up and apply using circular motions, let sit for 10 minutes, and wash off.
8) Water is the ultimate miracle cure for so many ailments. Water carries oxygen and nutrients to the body, leaves skin supple and hydrated, and provides detoxification of the skin’s pores. Lots of pregnant mommas swear by hydration as their secret weapon again stretch marks.
So guys, be preemptive! Start lathering while you’re young to help you later in life! And if for some reason religious use of these DIY treatments don’t work for existing stretch marks, look into fraxel laser treatments which can help. Or, OWN them. I know many moms who are proud of their stretch marks because it reminds them they grew tiny humans for 9 months! Don’t ever let a few white lines keep you from wearing a swim suit! It’s time to #loveyourlook exactly the way you are! Most stretch marks are covered by clothing anyway, so promise me you won’t stand in front of the mirror and bad mouth yourself as you get dressed! No one has laser vision, so instead of getting dressed in negativity, get dressed with a healthy mantra instead. Be proud!
Let me know if you’ve tried any of these remedies and if they work for you!
43 thoughts on “How to Combat Stretch Marks”
There are 43 comments posted by our users.
We are so happy for my sister who is pregnant and are looking for ways to help her. It is good to know that there are ways to combat stretch marks during pregnancy. I did not realize that olive oil was great for your skin. Thanks for informing me that it leaves your skin super soft, which helps it stretch with ease. I will be sure to share this information with my sister, thanks again. https://threedropsoflife.com/collections/beauty/products/stretchmarkcream
I used dermelastic serum during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks, and it worked! My mom had a lot of stretch marks, so I was paranoid. I rubbed this on diligently twice a day and made it through pregnancy without any stretch marks. It also has a nice smell, particularly compared to a couple other stretch mark creams I tried.
I gained a lot of weight this year and dermelastic serum got rid of ALL my red stretch marks that were new. I rubbed it on my thighs, hips and chest, every night after my shower. The smell is a tiny bit musky but it’s not bad and fades. It doesn’t stain clothes or sheets. I noticed a difference after about 3-4 weeks of use.
I’ve had Dermelastic serum for a week and I’m already seeing my purple stretch marks lighten! I tried a different product while I was pregnant and shortly after and it did nothing. Wish I would have started this earlier!!
I got a lot of stretch marks of my legs and the sides of my stomach. I would be so insecure during the summer time never wanting to wear shorts or swim suits. I spent so much money on products to get rid of them and dermelastic is the only serum I have ever found that helps at all. In a month or twice my purple stretch marks were almost completely invisible. This serum was a life saver for me.
Interesting to know about potato juice, olive oil helpful in reducing the appearance of stretch marks. I have got new information from your post. Thanks
I have my fair share of stretchmarks on my arms and thigh from gaining weight.I try to accept them and embrace them as they are a part of me..
Didn’t know that potato juice, olive oil and vitamin A oil could help reduce the appearance of stretch marks! I don’t have them but it’s good to know!
I’ve started using Bio-oil because I’ve heard amazing things about it. I’m sure it will take some time before I notice any changes. Using it on my scars from acne too.
I developed stretch marks at a young age, I was 11 ?. I am now in my 30’s and a 6’1″ woman. Yep! I grew a massive amount of inches in a short amount of time when I was 11. I used to want to get rid of them and tried everything, now they are a part of me and remind me of my youth. Some rude people ask how I got vertical stretch marks on my legs. So I tell them I grew 9 inches in 2 months during the summer of me going into 6th grade.
great remedys
YES TIGER STRIPES!! I’ve had stretch marks since I was in like 5th grade in my inner thighs, butt and hips and I’ve always been super self conscious about them. Recently, I’ve even found some on the back of my calves and on my armpits even though I have been working out and getting stronger!! I really appreciate you posting this because A: EVERYONE has stretch marks or will get stretch marks in some aspect whether they’re super noticeable or really really faint, and B: It’s good to be aware that although they never go away, there are different techniques that can help to fade them! I can definitely say that over the past 10 or so years that I have had stretch marks, my stretch marks have actually moved and gotten smaller as I have taken better care of my body through working out, eating healthy, and drinking a LOT of water. They’re definitely still there but they’ve just become a part of me! My tiger stripes 🙂 Being able to be comfortable in my own skin and watch the transformation my body has had through working out and treating my body better has been 100% worth it. To be honest: I think my stretch marks are pretty cute 🙂 Thanks for this post Cassey! I was really looking forward to this article 🙂 <3
Great tips, thank you for sharing ? I have suffered from stretch marks since I was around 10 years old! Thankfully mine are in places that I can hide easilly except for when I am in a bikini ?
Xx
Cheryl
Daisy Candle
I have tons of stretch marks everywhere on me from being overweight and obese my whole life. But the marks on my belly didn’t appear from being pregnant (I do have one child). My belly stretch marks came from having surgery. With the way my condition was deteriorating, the doctor said it would’ve eventually gotten so bad that my esophagus would’ve become twisted and I wouldn’t have been able to swallow anything. After that, starvation and death. I was already choking on my spit at times so I had the operation. They had to blow my belly up to get in there to work because that was the easiest entrance. Now I have stretch marks and small scars. If I didn’t have those stretch marks maybe I wouldn’t be alive today. They’re battle scars. If I was in the habit of showing my belly at all, I’d show them off with pride.
Funny that I get this article the day after looking for help to reduce or prevent. I am pregnant and while my belly hasn’t started growing yet (I am at 8 weeks now) it will soon, so I want to reduce the appearance of stretch marks if possible.
You cannot use Retin-A or any retinol forms when you are pregnant. Excessive amounts of Vitamin A are harmful to your baby. Please add it as an edit to your post. I would hate for pregnant moms to harm their babies. Encourage the natural remedies you also mention for actively pregnant moms.
Hi MamaBee! The pregnancy note is in the text already as this was something I really wanted to make sure people understood. But thank you for your comment.
I’m a bit (a lot) shocked about the suggestion to use of retinol-based medication against stretch marks! Even for acne treatmend, people should be very thoughtful about using the medication! It can work wonders (it did so for me) and it’s a great chance for everyone with serious acne problems but to suggest it as a treatment for stretch marks, which are solely an esthetic problem (if a problem at all) is very over the top (in my opinion). The side effects can actually be pretty serious! Concerning the skin: it’s often not just a bit “redness and peeling” but seriously dry skin (especially lips) and very sensitive skin toward sunlight. Even more concerning, the use of retinol-based medication can cause liver damage even if used as prescripted (that’s why you should get your liver enzymes checked regularly while on treatment). If accidentally getting pregnant while on the medication (or shortly after finishing the treatment) terminating the pregnancy is most often suggested, as the toxic effect on the developing child are severe!
If all this doesn’t concern you just think about the fact that retinol-based medication used to be used as a chemotherapy medication!
I have a one year old son. When I was pregnant I used coconut oil on my belly and hips but I didn’t pay much attention on my chest. So I haven’t any strech marks on my belly, on my hips I have 2 very small on one side, my husband can’t see them. But I have a lot and very deep on my chest…:( I regret I didn’t use coco oil on chest…
Wow tiger stripe i realy lyk dat idea
Luckily, as a chinese person, I don’t have too much cellulite, but this guide is great!
Bio Oil (available in most drug stores and online) is what I use along with cocoa butter and if used twice daily can really help.
I was thinking of trying Bio Oil. Did you see a noticeable difference?
GO TIGER STRIPES WOOT WOOT
Thank you for posting about this! I have terrible stretch marks from pregnancy and my son is already a year old! I tried cocoa butter but I am excited to try some of these others! How often should you use it?
My 15 year old daughter has horrible stretch marks. They are on her inner thighs, lower back, under arm and backs of her knees. SHe’s very modest so the only ones people see are the ones on the backs of her knees. She’s also not very active…that being said, we recently went on vacation. We did a lot of walking around. We noticed that at the end of 10 days the marks on her legs went from dark purplish red to white. I’m wondeirng if her getting out in the sun and moving around helped? If so how? what specifically helped?
When I was in junior high and high school, I had stretch marks on my thighs and chest (probably from growing, and my skin stretching out). When I entered college, they were completely gone, no marks at all. I’m not saying this will happen to everyone, but I think stretch marks from growing during puberty are different. You are also younger, so your skin heals a lot faster!
Actually it doesn’t mean that she’s healing. When stretch marks become white is worse because you can’t easily remove them
My stretch marks are the worst because they’re very long and purple. I’m hopeful that when I lose more weight around my tummy that they’ll become less noticeable, but knowing me and my luck, it probably won’t happen.
I’ve been getting stretch marks along my arms because my muscle is building up (thanks to PIIT!!) and it actually makes me happy and proud that my hard work is paying off! (:
I love your attitude!
I like to think of my stretch marks as tiger stripes cuz we’re strong tigers !! 🙂 Not my fav body part but neither the one I dislike the most.
I love that idea!!!! Tiger stripes!! Gonna remember that?❤️
Thank you for addressing this topic! I’m going to try the olive oil and lemon juice tip for sure.
micro needle proceedure gets rid of them completely after 3 sessions.
Even the white ones?
Yup!
I’ve already got stretch marks at 17, but just like my big feet and wide hips, I’m just gonna own it. I’ll probably keep up my cocoa butter regimine just to be preemptive, but I love my tiger stripes! 🙂
http://www.thechicmachine.wordpress.com
Good for you!!!
I’ve learned to rock them! I’ve had stretch marks around my booty since puberty and really I don’t look back there too often haha.
I wish mine were white. I’m so pale I basically glow in the dark, and my stretch marks are deep purple. I’d grown used to them, but am pregnant now and am thinking I might try some of these. Thank you!
they fade over time. mine used to be purple. now they’re white/barely visible. they don’t bother me at all. i’m usually not even aware of them, lol. someone once asked me “what’s that?” pointing at my hips and i had no idea what they meant haha 🙂
thanks for the article i will try some of those ideas cause am just 21 and i have a lot of those ugly marks.