Reducing stretch marks with natural oils

Stretch marks are perfectly harmless marks that in no way affect your health. By some estimates, almost 80% of pregnant women get this form of mild scarring. They are caused by the rapid weight gain and loss during pregnancy. This causes the dermis, the flexible and supportive layer of your skin, to stretch beyond its natural elasticity. The damaged dermis tissue then appears as the typical striated scars. Stretch marks initially appear darker and then gradually fade away to off-white.

In most women, stretch marks begin to appear during the third trimester. This is because the skin undergoes the most stretching pressure during the sixth and seventh months. In addition, the high hormone levels seen in pregnancy can play a role in causing stretch marks. Hence, if you want to prevent stretch marks, you should start some treatment at this point. Many believe that moisturizing the skin can help the dermis maintain its elasticity and prevent the marks. One popular home remedy involves rubbing cocoa butter over the region. Another is to use mildly warmed extra virgin olive oil. Other women have reported positive results with aloe vera gel. This natural substance is well known for its healing properties and anti-inflammatory effect. It helps to sooth, moisturize, and heal the skin as it stretches. Finally, aloe vera promotes the re-growth of cells and boosts your natural immunity. Your skin also needs its quota of vitamins and nutrients that allow it to stay healthy and elastic. Try a multivitamin containing vitamins A and E, both of which are powerful antioxidants. They can stimulate the skin and encourage growth of new cells, replacing the scar tissue. Some women have tried grapefruit extract, which is believed to encourage the production of collagen. This helps to reduce the paleness of the stretch marks, and matches them with your natural skin tone.

If you find that you were unable to avoid and reduce stretch marks, you can always opt for a cosmetic surgery after your pregnancy comes to term. A surgical option is the ‘tummy tuck’, which is especially useful to remove stretch marks below the navel. Another traditional procedure is called dermabrasion, which removes the damaged skin cells from the surface. This can encourage the skin cells to re-grow in their natural color. Perhaps the most effective cosmetic option is laser surgery. Here, UV light is used to encourage collagen in the dead cells, thus reducing the pale scarring.