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Top Ways To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks
Photo credit: bigstockphoto.com
Both men and women are prone to stretch marks and they usually occur in puberty when the body goes through sudden growth spurts or gains weight at a quicker rate than usual. This in turn causes the skin to become overstretched and the normal production of collagen, the protein that forms the connective tissue in your skin, is disrupted. This process forms scars known as stretch marks. For this reason, stretch marks are also very common during pregnancy and in the world of bodybuilding where people build muscle mass at a rapid rate and the skin cannot keep up with the growth.
So, while they are perfectly natural, stretch marks are nonetheless quite a burden for many guys and gals who become ashamed of them and whose confidence and self-esteem can drop as a result. But never fear, for there are surgical and non-surgical ways of reducing the appearance of those pesky stretch marks, so let’s explore them!
1. Cocoa butter
Top of the list is one of the most natural stretch marks solutions straight from Mother Nature herself. Cocoa butter is extremely rich in skin-loving vitamin E, which actually boosts collagen and elastin production in the skin as well as promotes the skin’s healing properties. These two factors are highly important in reducing the visibility of stretch marks. Not only that, but it provides amazing levels of moisture to the upper layer of the skin. This is known to diminish the appearance of scars.
2. Bio-oil
Bio-oil is an ever-popular treatment for stretch marks and other types of scars, with people round the world raving about it, and for good reason. This product contains a wealth of amazing ingredients including chamomile oil, rosemary oil, lavender oil, vitamins E and A, and, the key ingredient PurCellin oil. This gives it that super lightweight feel which many other body oils lack. Bio-oil works on all types of scars by deeply moisturising the skin and increasing the skin’s natural elasticity, making it highly effective not just on stretch marks but also acne scars, blemishes, and wrinkles.
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Photo credit: bigstock.com
3. Carboxy therapy
Carboxy therapy is a non-invasive, safe, and effective way of greatly diminishing the appearance of stretch marks. It utilises the CO2 already present in our bodies to increase the blood flow to the affected area, which results in a rush of nutrients and oxygen. This in turn gives your cells the boost that they need to repair themselves and start producing more collagen again. The CO2 is injected directly into the skin for maximum effect and, the good news is that it’s safe for all skin types!
4. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a popular and effective option for many types of skin conditions on the body and face, and stretch marks are one of them. The treatment works using super fine crystals which buff away imperfections and, in this case, promotes the production of elastin and collagen greatly reducing the appearance of stretch marks right from the first treatment.
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5. Castor oil
You might be thinking, “There are a lot of oils in this list,” well that’s because they contain so many benefits for the skin, and castor oil is no different! This oil when used in its purest possible form contains high amounts of ricinoleic acid, which is a fatty acid perfect for remedying stretch marks and other skin conditions. It works best when massaged onto the skin in circular movements on a daily basis to ensure proper absorption. Adding a sweet-smelling carrier oil such as almond oil will not only boost the moisturizing properties of the treatment but also make the oil slightly easier to apply given its rather thick natural state.
6. Eating a healthy, balanced diet
This one may seem obvious but eating a healthy, balanced diet is probably the top way to prevent stretch marks from even occurring the first place. A diet rich in vitamins A, E, and C as well as zinc and silica, will nourish the skin and boost collagen production which, in turn, promotes elasticity. Almonds, avocados, and spinach are just a few sources rich in vitamin E which is particularly important and, beyond that, there are many fantastic natural supplements available to give you that helping hand.
READ ALSO: 10 Quick And Natural Ways How To Get Rid Of Bloating
In short, the common theme with all of these treatments is promoting the production of collagen and/or elastin in the skin as well as deeply moisturizing it. This is the only true method to ever really diminish the appearance of stretch marks, but as you’ve seen, there are many options which are totally natural, cheap and easy to obtain.
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