What are stretch marks?

Many women – and some men, too – around the world today have what is known as “stretch marks.” These are narrow stripes or streaks which materialize on the surface of the human skin and are caused by several factors.

Also known medically as striae gravidarum or striae, stretch marks occur as a result of the overstretching of the dermis of the skin until it gets torn.

The tearing of the middle layer of the skin causes unsightly scars – or stretch marks – to appear on the surface of the skin.

Stretch marks manifest themselves:

• After weight loss or weight gain
• During pregnancy
• During adolescence

Stretch marks usually appear on the hips, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, upper arms, and breasts. They are sometimes purple or pink.

Although stretch marks appear to be a common phenomenon, it does not make them less unattractive. Most people with stretch marks are looking for and trying any means to get rid of them for good. Some have even undergone invasive surgery so that these unappealing marks on the skin disappear forever.

However, cosmetic surgery or remedies such as laser treatment are costly, and it is not everyone that can afford these procedures. There are other methods you can employ to get rid of stretch marks, and these methods are not as expensive as laser treatment or any other invasive procedure.

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks without Laser Treatment

Massage with creams – Massage the stretch marks on your body – at least three to four times every day – with creams that contain vitamins A, C, and E. The cream should also include Shea butter and cocoa butter as primary ingredients.

These ingredients are highly effective in getting rid of stretch marks without laser treatment, especially if applied at an early stage. So, once you notice that you have stretch marks and they are still pink, red, brown or purple, endeavor to apply the stretch mark-removal creams.

As soon as your stretch marks turn silver, white or a somewhat lighter shade than your skin, it becomes more challenging to get rid of them.

Exfoliate – Regular exfoliation is another method you can follow to get rid of stretch marks. This process eliminated dead skin from your body, thereby paving the way for the development of new skin from the stretch marks.

You can also consider exfoliation in combination with other non-invasive treatment procedures for enhanced results. By removing dead skin from your stretch marks, other skin-enhancing treatments penetrate the skin deeply and work more efficiently.

Regenerate with Argan oil – Argan essential oil is one of the most popular natural products for hair and skin care and is obtained from Argan tree kernels.

Research has shown that Argan essential oil can significantly enhance the elasticity of the human skin, and this can prevent or reduce the development of stretch marks. Argan oil can be consumed or applied topically to improve skin elasticity considerably.

Lavender essential oil – Although lavender essential oil is noted for its calming attributes, it also has other benefits such as healing of marks and wounds.

Lavender essential oil enhances the creation of collagen, thereby forming new connective tissue that foster wound healing, according to a research that was published in 2016. However, this research was conducted with rats.

But then, it still indicates that lavender essential oil may contribute to the healing of stretch marks if applied topically for an extended period.

Conclusion

Getting rid of stretch marks does not have to be expensive; although it is not a severe medical condition, a lot of people with stretch marks wish to get rid of them for cosmetic reasons.