Stretch marks or stria form when the skin suddenly has to stretch beyond its natural growth rate. The middle layer of skin will break in several places, so that the lower layer is visible from the outside. Active stretch marks tend to be red or purple in color, and gradually fade to a silvery white, although their appearance may vary according to your skin tone. Stretch marks appear in 90% of women during pregnancy. This condition may also occur when you experienced a growth spurt as a teenager, lost a large amount of weight quickly, or gained muscle very quickly. Most medical practitioners state that time is the best treatment for getting rid of stretch marks, as they will eventually fade and disappear. Active stretch marks may respond to a variety of treatments, although you should keep in mind that the effectiveness of all treatment options may be limited.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Home Treatments
Step 1. Drink plenty of water
Water is the fastest and most efficient treatment option for reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Good skin moisture will make it softer and denser, so the color looks more even and the "wavy" texture caused by stretch marks on the skin is reduced. Adequate body fluids can also prevent new stretch marks from forming.
Specific recommendations for water consumption may vary, but consider drinking up to 10 glasses of water daily to keep skin moisturized and reduce the appearance of stretch marks
Step 2. Apply aloe vera
Aloe vera is probably the most effective home remedy for treating stretch marks. This plant is known for its soothing and healing properties for the skin, and is used by many people to treat sunburns. Break a fresh aloe vera leaf and apply the sap directly to your skin. After a few minutes, rinse with lukewarm water. Alternatively, consider using a preparation made from aloe vera sap.
- Mix 1/4 cup (60 ml) of aloe vera sap with the oil from the 10 vitamin E soft capsules and the oil from the 5 vitamin A soft capsules.
- Apply this mixture once a day, rubbing it on your skin until it is absorbed.
Step 3. Take advantage of egg whites
The content of amino acids and protein in egg whites is useful for repairing the skin. This treatment may even show results after a few weeks of use.
- Gently beat two egg whites until they form a fine foam.
- Use a makeup brush or sponge to apply a thick layer of beaten egg white to the stretch marks, and allow them to dry completely.
- Rinse with cold water.
- Apply a little olive oil to moisturize the skin after rinsing off the egg whites.
Step 4. Exfoliate the skin with sugar
Sugar is a natural exfoliant, which can exfoliate dead skin cells and rejuvenate your skin. Sugar is also considered to be the best home treatment to get rid of stretch marks. Make a scrub from granulated sugar:
- Mix a tablespoon of sugar with a few drops of almond oil and lemon juice, mix well.
- Apply the mixture directly to the surface of the stretch marks. Rub it on your skin for 8-10 minutes.
- Take a shower after undergoing this treatment.
- For best results, continue this treatment for 1 month every time you shower.
Step 5. Apply potato juice
While we generally don't think of potatoes as "juicy," the moisture that potatoes release after they're cut actually contains important vitamins and minerals. These nutrients can help restore and promote the growth of your skin cells.
- Cut a medium size potato into thick slices.
- Gently rub one of the potato wedges over the stretch mark for a few minutes until it is coated in the "juice" that comes out.
- Let the potato juice dry on its own.
- Rinse your skin with lukewarm water.
Step 6. Wet the skin with lemon juice
The acid content in lemon juice can help fade blemishes on the skin. Cut a lemon in half and rub it over the stretch marks. Leave the lemon juice for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with water.
Step 7. Apply olive oil
Olive oil contains beneficial nutrients and antioxidants, and because it's a natural moisturizer, you don't need to rinse it off. You simply massage olive oil into the surface of the stretch marks. Consider warming up the oil first to increase blood flow to your skin.
Step 8. Moisten the skin with cocoa butter
Cocoa butter (cocoa butter) is famous for its benefits of softening wrinkles or damaged skin. Massage cocoa butter into stretch marks twice a day for best results.
Method 2 of 3: Using Drugs
Step 1. Use a leather camouflage
Many pharmacies sell over-the-counter medications that can be used to cover small areas of skin that have birthmarks or stretch marks. Some of these skin masking products are even waterproof and stay on for 2-3 days.
Step 2. Apply tretinoin cream
Tretinoin products are often called "retinoid" creams. This product works by helping the body restore the collagen content in the skin. While products containing tretinoin may not completely remove stretch marks, scientific evidence has found that these creams can improve their appearance.
- Keep in mind that these products can sometimes irritate sensitive skin.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor first before using creams containing this compound.
Step 3. Take advantage of creams that contain vitamin E, vitamin C, proline, copper-peptide, or ATP
These ingredients have properties similar to tretinoin, which is to stimulate the formation of new skin collagen. Keep in mind that these products can't get rid of stretch marks completely, but over time they can fade.
Step 4. Buy products that contain glycolic acid
This alpha hydroxy acid is produced from cane sugar. This product can also restore collagen production. While you can buy toners, cleansers, and moisturizers that contain glycolic acid on the market, your dermatologist can prescribe higher doses if needed. Just like tretinoin, some scientific evidence suggests that at the very least, glycolic acid can fade the appearance of your stretch marks.
Consider using a product containing glycolic acid with a tretinoin cream; some scientific evidence suggests it can give better results
Method 3 of 3: Understanding Operation Options
Step 1. Talk to your doctor about laser treatment
Laser treatment uses high-energy rays to stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, or melanin. Your doctor may suggest different types of treatment depending on the shape and length of stretch marks and the color of your skin.
Pulsed dye laser treatment is a painless procedure for new active stretch marks. The energy of the laser beam causes the blood vessels to burst under the skin, so that red or purple marks can be removed or turn white
Step 2. Consider microdemabrasion
Your therapist will use a small wand that can blow tiny crystals onto the surface of the skin. These crystals will exfoliate or gloss your skin's surface. The suction device will then remove the crystals and dead skin cells. Exfoliating the outermost layer of the skin will stimulate the growth of a new, more flexible layer of skin.
Note that microdermabrasion is one of several treatments that have been found to be beneficial for fading the appearance of old stretch marks
Step 3. Talk to your doctor about plastic surgery as a last resort
An abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck, can remove layers of skin damaged by stretch marks. However, remember that plastic surgery costs a lot and is quite risky. Consider carefully whether the disruption caused by stretch marks is worth this type of surgery.
