INTRODUCTION
When it comes to stretch marks, we all get them sooner or later. Most people assume that only heavy people or pregnant women get them. That isn’t even close to the truth. Basically, age and weight fluctuations play a very large role in who is going to get stretch marks and who isn’t.
There are many different ways to deal with them that modern technology has come up with. You can have them taken out with a laser, but it can be very costly; leave you with scars, or even change the color of your skin all together.
There is also the effort of having your skin peeled repeatedly which can be painful as well as expensive. Even a little bit of cosmetic surgery claims to help you out with this unsightly problem. The only problem with these methods is that they are not guaranteed to even work.
These ways to deal with stretch marks may all serve their own purposes; however, there are safer and less stressful ways that you can do it. There are natural ways of dealing with stretch marks. That is what this book is about. This is going to be your comprehensive guide to getting rid of those nasty stretch marks the natural way.
Why should you harm your body with costly surgeries and laser treatments when you don’t have to? After you read this handy guide, you will have many natural ways that you can use that are just as effective as any other methods, but without all of the pain and money missing. Let’s get a good look at stretch marks now so that you can learn how to deal with them naturally.
WHAT CAUSES STRETCH MARKS?
Stretch marks occur when your skin is stretched for a long period of time, and happens either by rapidly gaining or losing weight. Once the fibers in the skin are pulled or “stretched” to their maximum levels, they cause scars. While men are less prone to these unsightly lines it is not unusual for guys to get them.
What’s worse is that men can wear boxers and clothes that hide them, whereas most women will get some degree of stretch marks in their lifetime that are far more difficult to conceal. Let me tell you the reason: 70 per cent of teenage girls get stretch marks and more than 90 per cent of pregnant women get them.
The reason for this is that teenage girls suffer through fast growth spurts as they go through puberty. Think about it; they suffer through the fat development of their breasts; the hips are spreading and much more changes occur to the teenage body.
Pregnant women have to sit by and watch every part of their bodies grow. Naturally their stomachs grow rapidly to the point of no return. And with this sudden growth comes inevitable stretch marks. And don’t forget that if you have blond or red hair, have dry skin or are dehydrated, you’re at an ever larger risk of developing them. And once you have these scars, it’s tough, but not impossible, to reduce them.
I have come to the conclusion that stretch marks are caused by some kind of hormone activity and not solely through rapid weight gain and loss. You don't have to be pregnant or fat in order to get these hateful scars. As a matter of fact, it is a very common skin condition, but most people who have them are embarrassed by them and try to hide them.
The stretch marks that are directly related hormone activity mostly happen during:
• Pregnancy
• General growth for adolescent boys and girls
• Rapid weight gain/loss
• Depression or extreme unhappiness (believe it or not)
• Long term lacking of certain vitamins and nutrients
• Sudden change in physical or environmental conditions.
Certain medications may cause stretch marks as well such as using steroids or hormonal medications.http://www.stretchmarkcure.com/medcause.htm The reason why this happens with certain medications is probably because the medication is sending or processing the wrong information relating with skin development, which is what causes skin to produce an insufficient amount of collagen and Elastin which is what actually forms the connective tissue of your skin.
When the connective tissue in your skin breaks apart, there are stretch marks that become the end result of this. Stretch marks begin to form from deep skin tissue and then they gradually develop to the skin’s surface. Although in many cases they seem to just pop up out of nowhere, but there really is a process.
Stretch marks happen to men and women, fat and thin people, as well as the young and old. In most cases they don't hurt or irritate the skin so a lot of people don't even notice them until they get really bad or noticeable. When stretch marks first occur they are pinkish red which is caused by micro blood vessels breaking up from within and bleeding.
They can also start up and be a faint pale color, however later on they mostly change and become a pale silvery white. If they get bigger, they can literally cover your whole body and strike anywhere. I’ve heard of people who have told me that they got them on their face, which just shocked me.
Most people think that stretch marks are completely incurable. To be sure, they are very difficult to get rid of, but they don’t have to be. I am not one of those people who will write about stretch marks, having never had them. For the longest time I could not do anything about them other than putting lotions on them and pray that they would disappear.
It was a very irritating situation to be in and I hated it. I tried just about everything that you could possible imagine to get rid of them. You would think with the medical technologies they have today that doctors could come up with some sort of effective treatment already. But that's not the case. If you go see a doctor, most of them will tell you that you have to just live with them and that they are not curable.
Personally, I think they just don't care enough. Maybe in a doctor's eyes stretch marks are not real problems. People might even think that you are shallow if you are bothered by them, but with this being the case, I’d rather be shallow and not have them than just celebrate how awful they look. If you are one of those freaks who like to embrace your flaws, more power to you.
The most damage stretch marks do to you is most likely to affect your self esteem. They make you feel dirty; imperfect and ugly as if you suddenly became the blob or something. Besides, they are really not attractive to look at, so you are not shallow when you are bothered by them, you’re human. But instead being negative about them, you should strike back at them and I am telling you that they can be cured and even eliminated if you do it right away. And you don’t have to mutilate your skin to do it.
DIET AND STRETCH MARKS
Believe it or not, what you put into your body directly relates to what your body displays to the world. For example, if you eat a lot of fatty foods, you will develop poor skin conditions like acne. I’m not saying that you have to eat raw veggies all day to avoid stretch marks but eating junk food is not going to help.
Think about it, how can you expect to put all kinds of junk into your body and not have your body strike back at you? When you are unhealthy it shows in your skin as well as everywhere else on your body. Your diet really does play a big role in whether or not you will have stretch marks.
When it comes to your diet, it should be plain as to what should be done to combat skin issues like stretch marks. First of all, you will need to eat balanced meals that follow along with the food guide’s recommendations as according to your own health needs.
You hear this all of the time about eating balanced nutrition, but usually it is in reference to dieting or nurturing/avoiding health woes. That is true; however, it can also help to combat skin problems too, such as stretch marks. That may not be so obvious.
We all know that certain vitamins are great for your skin such as vitamin E; however it never seems to occur to most people that you can get it from food and not just lotions and creams. I can’t even try to imagine why that is. It’s as if we think skin + vitamins = cream/lotions. What you should be thinking is vitamins + skin = nutrition/foods etc.
There are specific vitamins that you should be looking to consume that are directly related to your skin. These vitamins should include vitamin C, E, A and zinc in specific. Remember we use zinc to combat sun at the beach; why wouldn’t we want to consume it as well? So what we have is that there are specific foods that will provide these vitamins. Here is a specific foods list that you can consume to help you in battling stretch marks.
Vitamin A foods include:
• Liver
• Carrots
• Sweet potato
• Pumpkin
• Apricots
• Green leafy vegetables
• Mango
• Cantaloupe
• Tuna
Vitamin C foods include:
• Oranges
• Guava
• Papaya
• Cantaloupe
• Kiwi
• Strawberries
• Chili peppers
• Broccoli
Vitamin E enriched foods include:
• Polyunsaturated oils and seed
• Sunflower
• Safflower
• Canola
• Corn
• Almonds
• Peanut butter
• Wheat germ
• Tomato puree
• Avocados
• Peaches
• Oat bran
• Fortified cereals like sunflower seeds
Zinc enriched foods include:
• Bananas
• Raisins
• Legumes
These are the best sources of these vitamins to be found in foods when it comes to combating stretch marks. You should try to incorporate them into your daily diet. But nutrients play a big role in this as well, and that is what the next section will talk to you about. You will also get more detail about the vitamins to be found in foods for dealing with and preventing stretch marks.
NUTRITIONAL STRETCH MARK BATTLES
If your healthy and maintain a fitness regimen and get daily exercise regularly, chances are you already are getting enough protein, carbohydrates, and fats in your diet. Now that I have stated that, you may be wondering. But what about vitamins?
Even if you don't have stretch marks, everyone should be taking a multi -vitamin every morning to maintain proper nutrition. There are those vitamins that directly affect the skin which can serve a great purpose in your stretch mark issue as I’ve stated above. I showed you the best foods for dealing with them, but you may be wondering exactly what these vitamins do to help you in that area. Well, I’m going to tell you.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is very important for the growth of skin, and helping you in maintaining healthy bones, nails, and hair. It also helps to repair injured skin, and improve dry, scaly skin.
Vitamin A is absorbed directly through the skin, and helps the skin remain soft and full as it should be. When Vitamin A is applied to the skin directly, it stimulates the skin metabolically, which helps to maintain the skin in a youthful condition. Experiments have showed that Vitamin A applied topically keeps the skin saturated with the vitamin.
Vitamin A also stimulates the renewal process of the skin cells which causes thickening of the skin. At the same time, collagen content in the skin was increased and improvement in skin elasticity could be seen to improve. This is very important in dealing with things like stretch marks, acne and aging.
Vitamin C
One of the most important roles that vitamin C does in battling stretch marks is to help heal wounds and scar tissue. This vitamin is necessary for encouraging the synthesis of collagen, and acts as a cementing substance between the body’s skin cells. The most important role that collagen plays is to provide barriers for infections and diseases and to promote the fast healing of wounds.
You should know that Vitamin C looses its potency very quickly which can make it worthless unless it is used immediately. It also oxidizes very quickly when ever it gets exposed to air and light. If you are looking to buy vitamin C in supplement form, you can look for vitamin C in an airtight brown glass bottle or metal tube which can block out sunlight.
Vitamin E
Another very important vitamin that you should get when you are trying to prevent stretch marks is Vitamin E. Vitamin E is needed in order to maintain the use of normal body metabolism and in the protection and healing of body tissues and skin. When it comes to skin care, vitamin E is at its most beneficial as an antioxidant in keeping the health of your skin tissue and membranes.
It is also used by many doctors as a means to help the recovery process of post surgical scars. Basically, there are two different ways that you can take Vitamin E. These are orally and through lotions and salves etc. Based on personal experience, I have never gotten any good results applying the Vitamin E topically onto the stretch marks. I would rather take the pills.
Zinc
Zinc is most likely the most essential supplement that you should want to take in the prevention of stretch marks. The most important property of zinc is the production of collagen which we all know is great for firming the skin.
Collagen holds the bodies skin tissues together. It is the most abundant structural protein and makes up somewhere around 80% of all connective tissue. In fact, 75% of the skin if filled with collagen and it makes up 90% of its overall volume. When a person has enough collagen in their body, you can bet that it is almost impossible to get stretch marks.
Collagen is not available in food, so it's very essential to supplement with zinc. If you're going to supplement your zinc I would suggest that you take ZMA. Along with prevention of stretch marks, ZMA also has several muscle building qualities and can even help you to sleep at night.
One problem that many people have with ZMA is that they notice that they get more acne. Before I started taking it, I never got a single pimple. When I started using it, I haven't gotten anything bad, but I still get some. You should simply ask yourself what is more important to you- stretch marks or acne. This should take the sting out of the acne clause.
There isn't much that I can say about genetics. The fact is that some people will never get stretch marks no matter how bad their diet is or how many vitamins their bodies lack because of their genetics is simply not prone to them. I hate people like that!
Skin Type
Whatever skin type you have is mostly hereditary. However there are things that you can do to improve your natural skin type. Stretch marks are most likely to occur where skin is dry and chapped and just overworked etc. When it's in this condition, the skin looses its elasticity which is how stretch marks come about in the first place. To improve this, make sure to take enough vitamins and apply a moisturizer or vitamin E to the skin once or twice a day.
I recall when I came across a method on how to get rid of stretch marks and how to make the fade factor happen much faster. It uses the same principles as laser/chemical peel; except the process happens in a natural way with different household products that you likely already have.
There is nothing as bad as the pain you feel when you get the laser and chemical methods used on you as a means to get rid of stretch marks. I have been using this special method for a few weeks now and have seen some very good results though it usually takes 6 months to fully fade them.
For a do-it-yourself at-home remedy like those that I have tried that actually work, here are the latest stretch mark creams on the market that will help you take care of them.
Once the stretch marks develop they will stay with you forever, but with time they will be less noticeable. The only way to avoid stretch marks is preventing them. Here are some things that can help you to avoid getting them.
- It is very important to exercise in order to get rid of stretch marks. When you are toning your muscles this helps your skin to firm thus preventing stretch marks.
- Make sure in your diet you are getting plenty of protein and foods rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin E because they help to promote good tissue growth.
- Massaging your body with olive oil or Vitamin E may help.
You can also try this homemade recipe which is very good. My grandmother told me about it. Basically you mix one ounce of carrier oil (try avocado, sweet almond, jojoba for best results) with seven drops of lavender and five drops of chamomile.
You can also apply the famed cocoa butter and/ or elastin cream. These are very good for stretch marks.
Here is another good recipe that I actually found while researching the topic:
1/2 cup virgin olive oil.
1/4 cup aloe vera gel.
Liquid from 6 capsules of Vitamin E.
Liquid from 4 capsules of Vitamin A.
Mix all the ingredients together in a blender. Pour the mixture into a jar and store it in the fridge. Apply the oil to the skin where the stretch marks commonly appear which is usually the stomach, thighs, legs and breasts. If you do this every day, you may prevent stretch marks.
ELANCYL STRETCH MARK CREAM
After you start using this cream once or twice a day from the third month of pregnancy until one month after delivering, 82.5 per cent of new moms said they had no stretch marks at all.
This special cream contains marine tissue extracts, which are used to stimulate cellular activity and promote protein synthesis, which aids in preventing connective tissues that cause stretch marks from getting damaged in the first place. The cream actually has safflower oil in it, which is rich in fatty acids and really helps in increasing your skin’s suppleness.
Let me tell you thought that the cream works best when it is used to help prevent them from forming in the first place, the formula contains a nice complex mixture that contains hydroxyproline, an amino acid, and organic silicon, which are used to repair already damaged collagen fibers. You can get it for around $25 at local drug stores.
DERMAGLOW
STRETCH MARK BALM
This product is great for those of you who prefer natural products because this one is 100% natural. This is a Canadian product that contains two key ingredients: rosehip oil, which is a form of fatty acid that repairs damaged skin, prevents scar tissue and helps to thins scars; and tocopherol, which is a form of vitamin E that helps to get rid of the redness, which can make stretch marks more noticeable.
It also contains coconut and olive oils, beeswax, cocoa butter and lavender flower condition the skin and locks in the moisture. For the best results, you should use the balm twice daily, particularly if you are gaining weight or loosing it so that it can help to rejuvenate the skin cells as they stretch
If you want to see results after 10 to 12 days use that method above. If you are planning to use it as a prevention tool, the balm helps the skin maintain its moisture level, which gives you the elasticity that prevents stretch marks.
STRIVECTIN-SD INTENSIVE CONCENTRATE FOR EXISTING STRETCH MARKS
J.Lo and Charlize Theron both love this product to help them diminish their wrinkles. But did you know the cream was originally developed to combat stretch marks? That’s what it does best. The main ingredient for this great item is striadril complex, which stimulates collagen synthesis and restores skin’s elasticity and reduces the length, depth, surface area and texture of existing marks.
CLINIQUE CX STRETCH MARK CREAM
This product is made prevent and minimize stretch marks, and it is also the latest stretch cream to hit the market contains palmitoyl oligopeptide, hydrolyzed collagen and acetyl hexampeptide-2, which we all use to stimulate collagen production.
It’s got Mimosa tenuiflora bark extract in it as well which helps maintain natural collagen levels, there is sucrose, caffeine and sandalwood extract in this product to help your skin repair itself as soon as stretch marks are formed, and it also has shea butter, muru muru butter and linoleic acid which will increase suppleness and help bolster the lipid system within the skin’s surface, helping to smooth the skin, and stop new stretch marks from forming.
VICHY COMPLETE ACTION
ANTI-STRETCH MARK CREAM
The two main ingredients that you will find in Vichy’s cream that repair damaged tissue are silica, which is a form of silicon dioxide, and Indian pennywort. In this product you will also get, hydroxyporline, an amino acid, rebuilds collagen fibers, while shea butter, borage oil and glycerol which help moisturize and nourish the skin.
This cream helps to prevent stretch marks from forming. What’s even better about it is that for the women who have stretch marks on their stomach and thighs, most women find their stretch marks had faded after three months of use.
So the point here is that if you want to avoid stretch marks you need to maintain a diet that is rich in vitamins A, C, E, and zinc. The creams mentioned above are good to combat them but these are by no means the only methods used for this. The next section will cover the ever popular area of herbs to combat and prevent stretch marks.
HERBAL STRETCH MARK GEL
There is a lot of hype surrounding herbal stretch mark gels these days. This product is mostly pushed toward those who would prefer a natural or organic method for treating their stretch marks, rather than resorting to surgery and skin peels. There are many different herbal stretch mark gels out there and I will offer you the most common list of ingredients that you can find in them and what makes them so potent.
Herbs play a huge role in dealing with just about everything these days so you can’t really be surprised to see it listed here. In some people, using herbal gels helps to deal with existing scarring but it may not be totally removed, however, these herbal gels will improve your stretch marks with continued use.
Recent studies have shown that you need vitamin C in your body for collagen to be formed, and I would suggest that you intake daily amounts of it included in your herbal gels along with vitamin e if you want the best overall results. I would also suggest that you take them in pill form at the same time as when you apply herbal gels.
For now let’s look at some of the most common ingredients that you will find in herbal gels:
- butcher's broom,
- calendula,
- centella,
- chickweed,
- ginseng,
- green tea,
- hibiscus,
- horsetail,
- ivy,
- lady's mantle
- marshmallow.
Right now I will try to explain each of these herbs separately because understanding their properties will help you to best decide if these herbal gels are right for you. If you want to get more information on each individual ingredient, you can easily look it up. I am merely providing you with a summary.
Butcher's broom
This herb has excellent anti-edema and anti-inflammatory effects, with thanks to the a-adrenergic stimulation of the blood capillaries. When you use it you will help stimulate the cutaneous circulation in your system, which makes it a good herb for dealing with water retention and a slow lymph flow is present, and it can also be used on ultra-sensitive skin.
This herb offers vaso-constricting properties that are further enhanced when the noradrenalin is released in the adrenergetic terminations of the blood vessel walls. This basically means that it increases the tone of the venous and lymphatic wall and improves the venous return. This is great for dealing with problem skin.
Calendula
This is a special botanical compound that is often used in herbal stretch mark gels because it has excellent properties for skin care and helps with cell rejuvenating, healing, reducing inflammation and it also sooths and softens the skin.
Calendula is particularly helpful with cracked and damaged skin and has a humectant action on the skin, which helps with dry and dehydrated skin, while the cell rejuvenating properties are most useful in older as well as damaged skin.
Not to mention that it has a slightly antiseptic and bactericidal effect and also helps with the mineralizing the skin because of the oligoelements that are contained in the compound.
Centella
One of its main functions is in increasing circulation, but it is also known for centuries for its great wound healing properties. It stimulates the fibroblast and collagen in the skin, but it also prevents excessive proliferation of fibrous tissue in wound healing.
Centella is extremely helpful in healing damaged and injured skin and maintaining healthy skin tone and elasticity. The triterpene components are the most effective ingredient for fixing amino acids onto the collagen’s structure.
Chickweed
It is high in saponins which have a healing and soothing effect on the skin that is not unlike aloe vera and is used with great success for treatment on rashes, itchiness, eczema, psoriasis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, inflammations and other skin issues.
Ginseng
One of the main properties of this popular herb is to prevent collagenase (which is the destruction of the collagen) in the way it stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits proteic enzymatic degradation in the fibroblasts.
This particular plant is also used for increasing phospholipids synthesis in the blood. Studies have shown that it also has a strong anti-oxidant effect which is used in neutralizing free radicals, which is more concise in pieces of protapanaxatriol than in other bits and pieces of the plant, and it works by optimizing the cutaneous metabolism of the whole body.
It is specifically useful in capillary products, to stimulate growth and increase tensile strength.
Green Tea
This plant offers you three major benefits. First of all, it is a powerful antioxidant, which helps to lower free radical damage in the skin. Secondly, it is a very potent anti-inflammatory agent, which reduces inflammation in the skin. And thirdly and perhaps the most important aspect of this plant is that it, it helps prevent an enzymatic action in the skin where the collagen is broken down which usually gives you more firm and elastic skin.
The flavonoids and catechols that you will find in green tea provide it with vitamin P properties. The tannins in its chemical make up give it astringent properties too but it also protects the skin, and brings about vasoconstriction, which decreases inflammation. You can also see cell regeneration that can help heal wounds. Another benefit is that it can be used to help you maintain your weight as well.
Hibiscus
This herb contains many different compounds, but in essence it acts on the layer of the skin to help decrease the cohesion between the corneocytes, which directly affects how thick your skin is and also increases skin moisture.
When this happens you will see an improvement of skin flexibility and a higher moisture level. Hibiscus also contains anthocyanocides, which have astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant traits as well and it also inhibits the enzyme that causes elastase, meanwhile it enhances the retention of the skin’s hydric content.
Horsetail
This is awesome for mineralizing the skin and has haemostatic properties, which places silica in the skin. The flavonoids and saponins that you will find in horsetail have great cell rejuvenating qualities and also have a stabilizing effect on the surrounding tissue, which will add the firmness and elasticity of the skin.
Ivy
Extracts of the wood of this plant are mostly used in makeup but it also gets used for healing skin, treating burns, warts, impetigo, skin eruptions, neuralgia, swollen joints, and cellulite. Talk about benefits.
It has anti-fungal, anthelmintic, molluscicidal, anti-mutagenic, and even anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used as a topical action that creates a circulatory compound,that is good for helping to get the other ingredients to be absorbed into the skin, as well as assisting with the removal of waste products from the skin.
Lady’s mantle
This plant has about 6-8% tannins in it that is mainly oligomeric gallotannins, and flavonoids, which are the parts that are responsible for its anti-elastase and free radical scavenging activity. Not to mention that it has an astringent effect on the skin, and helps to protect the elastin fibers.
Elastin as I’ve mentioned before is need if you want your skin to maintain its elasticity, and it acts as a protein in the skin, which when it is combined with collagen and glycosaminoglycans, make up the connective tissue. It is a very specialized herb, and is used specifically where elastin needs a boost and the tensile strength increased.
Marshmallow
Believe it or not marshmallow is very beneficial to the skin and in dealing with its problems and diseases and helps in healing wounds, burns and irritation.
Marshmallow not only has good anti-inflammatory properties, but it also seems to boost your skin’s immunity at cellular level.
It can inhibit hyaluronidase, which is an enzymatic action in which the hyaluronic acid and other muco-polysaccharides in the connective tissue are degraded. When this happens it results in better moisture levels in the skin, as well as boosting the skin’s overall structure and wound healing processes, while at the same time decreases your skin’s aging process.
As you can see, herbal stretch mark gels can be a great soldier to use in your battle against these unsightly marks. This product is great for those who want to tackle them in a more natural way. Believe me the gels work and they are far less painful than peels and lasers.
HOME-MADE NATURAL STRETCH MARK REMEDIES
For the purposes of this book, I have asked around to see what methods people were using for dealing with their stretch marks and there were some pretty good methods out there. I decided to include them in this section for you. Let’s look at them now!
- This method is a natural remedy to prevent the onset of stretch marks and scarring if it is used as directed. It's called ElastiSkin Oil. It gives your skin the elasticity it needs in order for your skin to expand during pregnancy and during fluctuating weight gain/loss. This is good for teens and growing toddlers too, because they experience rapid weight gain and growth. This product is all natural and has no negative side effects. Your skin will be soft too. You can get it from elastiskin.com.
- You can also try massaging the body with aroma oil during pregnancy which helps to reduce chances of getting marks
- Try mixing this body scrub mix a little olive oil, cod liver oil, vitamin E oil/cream and aloe vera gel. Be sure to exfoliate first, always make sure that you are scrubbing towards the heart because this stimulates more blood flow and is great for getting rid of cellulite.
- Apply aloe vera gel, cod liver oil, or vitamin E oil to stretch mark areas to help speed up the healing process.
Home made Stretch Mark Cream
1/4 cup Cocoa Butter
1 Tbsp. wheat germ oil
1tsp. light sesame seed oil
1tsp. Apricot kernel oil
1tsp. Vitamin E oil
2 tsp. grated beeswax
1 tsp Vanilla extract (optional)
Yield: 3 oz.
Mix together all ingredients except vanilla extract. Heat the gently until the cocoa butter and beeswax have melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, if desired. Allow to cool completely before use. Store this mixture in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid. Massage into your skin.
- Mixture of 1/2 virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup aloe vera gel, and liquid from 6 capsules of vitamin E, and liquid from 4 capsules of vitamin A. Put them in a blender and store this mixture in the refrigerator. Use daily.
- Rub Vaseline intensive care on your stomach every morning and every night the minute you find out you're pregnant.
- Vitamin K can be used topically to help the skin heal from wounds including stretch marks. Apply Vitamin K cream directly to stretch marks or other scars and Depending on how bad they are, your skin type and activity levels, you will see results in as little as 8-14 days to 6-8 weeks when used twice daily.
Major food sources for Vitamin K include green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, green cabbage, kale, Swiss chard, turnip greens, broccoli, tomatoes, liver and lean meats and dairy products.
- Putting Lavender Essential Oil directly on scars will help them fade. You can also heal your wounds faster with the application of this oil
EXERCISE AND STRETCH MARKS
I know, we all hate to hear this but it is true that if you want to deal with stretch marks and prevent them from arising in the first place, you will really have to think about exercising. Since we know that stretch marks are caused by weight fluctuations, you can bet that this topic was going to come up.
Exercise and weight issues are synonymous with one another. In fact, you can’t mention one without the other. We know that firm skin helps in combating stretch marks, but exercise is a major aspect of that. The fact is that once you have stretch marks, you can’t get rid of them, but you can minimize their appearance so they are better to look at.
Below you will find some great exercises that help to firm different areas of the body. Firming any areas that have stretch marks generally include: the thighs, hips and abdomen. These exercises have been provided by: mothernature.com
Start with 20 leg raises. One of the best exercises to work the hip and leg area, which is where stretch marks are most likely to occur, is a straight leg raise exercise.
-Carol Garber, Ph.D., director of the Human Performance Lab at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
To begin, lie down on the floor on your side, legs straight, one on top of the other. Then extend the arm that's floor-side down over your head and rest your head on your arm.
Put your other hand flat on the floor in front of your waist. Keeping both legs straight and toes pointed straight ahead; raise your top leg from hip to toe as far as it will go, then lower it back to the floor. Raise and lower your leg in a slow, controlled motion.
Begin with 8 to 10 leg raises on each side at least three times a week, says Dr. Garber. Then, as each exercise begins to seem easy, add a leg raise or two until you've worked your way up to 20 leg raises three times a week.
Do 20 inner-thigh exercises. To firm your inner thigh, lie down on the floor just as you did for the leg raises, says Dr. Garber. But this time, instead of raising your top leg, bend that knee and place your foot in front of your bottom leg, then try to raise the bottom leg up about six inches. Then lower the leg to the floor.
Begin with 8 to 10 bottom-leg raises on each side at least three times a week, says Dr. Garber. Then, as each exercise begins to seem easy, add a couple of bottom-leg raises until you've worked your way up to 20 bottom-leg raises three times a week.
Swing your legs. One incredibly simple exercise that firms the whole thigh is to sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor, hands either by your sides or in your lap, then swing both legs up so that they're extended straight out in front of you at seat level, says Dr. Garber. Then swing them back down.
You can swing your legs whenever you feel like it--when you're on the phone or watching television, for example--or you can incorporate the exercise into your workout. Whichever you choose, your goal should be 20 swings three times a week.
Lift off. If you get bored with swinging, put your hands down at your sides to hold on to your chair and swing your legs up until they're fully extended. Then lift each leg, from foot to hip, about three to six inches, says Dr. Garber. Finally, lower your leg until both legs are straight out in front of you once again.
Start out with 8 to 10 lifts, then work your way up to 20 lifts three times a week.
Firm your butt. To firm your bottom, lay face-down on the floor, arms out at your shoulders, elbows bent and palms flat on the floor, says Dr. Garber. Now lift one leg, heel first, off the floor about three to six inches, then lower it back to the floor and repeat the lift with your other leg. Start out by lifting each leg 8 to 10 times three times a week. Add a couple of lifts to each workout as they get easy. Your goal is 20 lifts three times a week.
Keep the scale steady. Since extra pounds create stretch marks, try to keep your weight on an even keel, says Dr. Weiss. To control calories, avoid high-fat foods, watch your portions and get more physically active. Walk instead of drive, take the stairs instead of an elevator, do your own yard work instead of hiring the neighbor's kid.
STRESS AND STRETCH MARKS
You might be wondering if there isn’t anything out there that isn’t stress related these days. Probably not, we live in a stressed filled environment and that stress can be a major factor in many of the health woes that we have. The fact is that rarely do people have the foresight to realize that stress plays a key role in how healthy your skin is.
The fact if the matter is that stress can cause premature wrinkles and yes…it can aggravate stress marks. If you want to best your chances of reducing or preventing stretch marks, I would suggest that you watch your stress levels. As I mentioned earlier, stretch marks can also be caused by bad food intake which is often worse when you are stressed out.
Think of it; how often have you vegged out in front of the television while eating chips or some other junk food, which in turn makes you gain weight? This is what stress makes us do and this is why stress can be a key point in preventing stretch marks. Here is the section where I will offer you some stress busting techniques so that you can deal with it right away.
1. Breathe Easily
Breathing from your diaphragm helps to oxygenate your blood, which helps you relax almost instantly. In order for you to learn to breathe deeply, you should start by putting your hand on your abdomen just below the navel. Inhale slowly through your nose and watch your hand move out as your tummy expands. Hold the breath for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly. Repeat until you feel calmer.
2. Visualize
It sounds very alternative however this method is highly effective in reducing stress. You could try seeing that you are in a shower and a wave of relaxation is washing your stress down the drain. This is my favorite method and it works wonders for me. Close your eyes, take three long, slow breaths, and spend a few seconds picturing a relaxing scene, such as walking in a meadow, kneeling by a brook, keep your focus on everything that is around you. After a few minutes of this, you will be very relaxed.
3. Self Massage
you can try massaging the palm of one hand by making a circular motion with the thumb of the other. Or you can get a massage tool and give yourself a small massage while listening to soothing music.
4. Try a drink
I’m not advocating the use of chronic alcohol however a small glass of wine is a great way to reduce stress. Just don’t take it to the extreme.
5. Smile
Smiling is a great way to reduce stress as you can psyche yourself into believing that you actually are happy. We do it when we're relaxed and happy, but doing it can also make us feel relaxed and happy.
6. Do Some Math
Get this….math used to cause me stress, but now that I don’t have to do it, I find it very relaxing. Oddly enough the logic that is needed in order to calculate a math problem can really help you to put your problems into perspective. Try giving your stress amount a rated number as well. This will help you to assess the importance of the problem in your life. Try rating between 1-10.
7. Stop Sweating the small stuff
Stress tends to settle in certain parts of our bodies, the jaw being one of them. When things get hectic, place your index fingers on your jaw joints, which are located just in front of your ears. Then clench your teeth and take a deep breath and hold for breath for a moment.
8. Affirmations
Affirmations are basically short, clear, positive statements that focus on your good points. Affirmations are a good way to stop being overcritical to yourself. The next time you feel as if your life is one disaster after another, keep telling yourself that you are strong and can deal with it.
9. Check Your Chi
Your chi is basically the vital life force that flows throughout the body, regulating its functions. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and parallel to one another. Bend your knees to a quarter-squat position while keeping your upper body straight. Monitor your breathing for a couple of breaths. Inhale and bring your arms slowly up in front of you to shoulder height with your elbows slightly bent. Exhale while stretching your arms straight out and stand straight up again. Repeat.
10. Fight
Don’t let your problems get the better of you or having to beg to know why it is happening to you. Feeling like a victim only increases feelings of stress and helplessness. Instead, focus on confronting your problem from the start. Hiding from your problems just makes them bigger.
11. Start writing
Writing provides you with a cool outside perspective of your problems. Divide a piece of paper into two parts. On the left side, write the things that stress you out and on the right, list the ones you can't. Focus on the things that you can change and not the things that you can’t change.
12. Count to 10
Before you say or do something you'll regret, step away from the problem and count to ten as it forces you out of your situation for a moment. It’s like giving yourself a time out from your problem.
13. Switch to Decaf
Caffeine is a known stimulant so it can cause stress that you didn’t even know you had. Just know that you might get a caffeine-withdrawal headache that could last for several days. Subtract a little regular coffee and add some decaf to your morning cup. Over the next couple of weeks, gradually increase the proportion of decaf to regular until you're drinking all decaf. This will help with the withdrawals.
14. Just Say No
Trying to do everything all of the time is a one-way ticket to serious stress. Be clear about your limits, and stop trying to please everyone all the time.
15. Aromatherapy
Oils of anise, basil, bay, chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, rose, and thyme are all soothing to the mind and body. All you have to do is place a few pieces of rock salt in a small vial and add a couple of drops of the oil of your choice. Breathe in the scent whenever you need a quick stress release.
16. Try warming your hands
Rub your hands together vigorously until they feel warm like you would in a snow storm. Then cup them over your closed eyes for five seconds while you breathe deeply. The warmth and darkness are comforting.
17. Acupressure
Acupressure stimulates the same points as acupuncture, but you get to use fingers instead of needles. When you are doing it you should try pressing on the following three points:
• The Third Eye, which is located between the eyebrows, in the indentation where the bridge of the nose meets the forehead.
• The Heavenly Pillar, which you will find on the back of the neck just below the base of the skull, about half an inch to the left or right of the spine.
• The Heavenly Rejuvenation, which is half an inch below the top of each shoulder, and in the middle of the base of the neck and the outside of the shoulder blade.
Breathe deeply and apply firm but steady pressure on each point for a few minutes. The pressure should cause a mild aching sensation, but you will not feel any pain.
18. Take some Time out
Many people demand attention right away when they are stressed out. However, you should try to give yourself some time to stress out when you can deal with it. Don’t try to force yourself to deal with it until you’re ready.
19. The Hokey Pokey
This quick exercise helps loosen the muscles in your neck and upper back, and how it works is that you stand or sit, stretch your arms out from your sides and shake your hands wildly, like the hokey pokey.
20. Munch Some Snacks
Foods that are high in carbohydrates stimulate the release of serotonin, feel-good brain chemicals that help induces calm. Just don’t binge. Try a bagel.
21. Boost Your Vitamin Intake
Take a daily multivitamin, preferably. Also consider taking vitamins C and E separately for stretch marks. Avoid stress formulas, which often contain large amounts of randomly formulated nutrients, such as the B vitamins because that will not be helpful.
22. Try sex
If sex is not a priority when you are stressed out think about adding it. It is commonly known that sex increases levels of endorphins, which are those mood-boosting chemicals in the brain, and it's one of the best total-body relaxes around. Think about it, have you ever been stressed out after an orgasm?
23. Know your stress
Each of us have our own stress signals such as neck or shoulder pain, shallow breathing, loss of temper etc. Learn to identify yours, and practice telling yourself that you are stressed out. This will slow down the stress reaction.
24. Daydream
Take some time to daydream when you feel stressed out. It is a great way to escape from life for a while.
25. Try Having Some Tea
By now most of us know about the calming properties of chamomile tea. However, having a steaming cup of catnip, passionflower, skullcap or kava kava also work. Whether you use tea bags or loose tea you should let it steep for about 10 minutes to get the full benefits of the herbs.
26. Take a Walk
It forces you to breathe more deeply and improves circulation. If you can’t actually leave the house and walk anywhere, you can try pacing the floor or simply walking around the house.
27. Bathe
This is my favorite stress reducer. Soaking in the tub is a great way to relax when you are stressed out. The key is to imagine that as you wash your body your stresses are leaving too. It's basically a visualization exercise, but the hot water makes it feel real.
28. Try Music
Music is a great way to slow heart rate to increase endorphins also. Try some classical like Beethoven or Mozart. You can do just about anything.
29. Get a Dog
It is proven that pets can really reduce stress. It is shown that those who owned a dog had lower blood pressure than those who didn't. If you don't have want a dog you can just borrow someone else’s. Petting an animal for just a couple of minutes helps relieve stress, not to mention talking to them.
30. Practice Awareness
Heighten your awareness when you are stressed out by focusing intently on an object that serves no real purpose. You can try to notice an item’s shape, color, weight and feel. You can even focus on how it feels to eat something. Note that mindfulness leads to relaxation.
31. Call someone
Sharing your troubles can give you perspective, help you feel cared for and relieve your burden. Not to mention; you can also get some good advice.
32. Stretch
Muscles tighten during the course of the day, and when we feel stressed out, it can be even worse. Stretching loosens muscles and encourages deep breathing. Try lying on a rug or mat, kneel, sit back on your heels, then lean forward and put your forehead on the floor and your arms beside your legs, palms up. Hold you position for about one to three minutes. It’s great.
33. Say a Prayer
It is a proven fact that praying and faith can help to make you much more relaxed and comfortable.
34. Make Plans
Making plans to do something is great for keeping your mind off things. Buy concert tickets, schedule a weekend getaway, or make an appointment for a massage or to get your hair and nails done.
35. Act silly
Being silly for awhile can make any stressful situation easier. When you are being silly or goofy, it is hard to take anything seriously.
36. Straighten Up
When people are under stress, they have a tendency to slouch. Doing this restricts breathing and reduces blood and oxygen flow to the brain and makes it feel like too big a burden to carry. Straightening your spine has just the opposite effect. It promotes circulation, increases oxygen levels in your blood and helps lessen muscle tension, which are all good for relaxation.
37. Gardening
Tending your garden helps to get you out of your head and lands you right in the middle of nature. If you're not a gardener, tend to a houseplant. It is also a nice reminder that stress, too, will pass.
CHEAP STRETCH MARK REMEDIES
While there are many remedies that you can create at home for stretch marks, many of them are very expensive. There are of course cheaper methods out there that you can make that will help you combat stretch marks that will not break the bank. Below are some inexpensive methods for dealing with these unsightly additions.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a great moisturizer to minimize the appearance of stretch marks. It softens and smoothes the skin and is generally hypoallergenic. You can find it at a health food store or an ethnic market in your area. If you use it every day, you will barely notice those marks.
Mixture of Oils May Help
Vitamin E caplets are excellent and cheap. It will heal them fast. You must remember that these came about with time and they will heal with time. This will not make them disappear, but they will fade. The following mixture of oils may help.
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup aloe vera gel
10 vitamin E caplets - prick & drain into mixture
5 vitamin A caplets - prick & drain into mixture
Mix all of the above together and store in the refrigerator.
Emu Oil
Use pure emu oil, which you can get at health food stores, to fade and even remove scars and stretch marks. The reason is because emu oil penetrates all layers of the skin and can even help scars that are years old.
The Baby Oil
This method is best used when you apply baby oil after bathing while the skin is still wet.
Drink Some Water
Drinking a lot of water helps to keep the skin hydrated. You should also avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol which are known to dehydrate the body. When the body is hydrated, the skin can go with the stretching flow a bit easier.
WHAT ABOUT LASERS, PEELS ETC?
Stretch marks usually are only a cosmetic problem, but most of the time they can also be a problem such as when they tear easily in an accident. Many doctors will tell you that there is nothing that they can do about them, but there are more painful and expensive treatments that you can use. This wouldn’t be a very thorough guide if I didn’t at least include them.
There are many different options to treating stretch marks such as Topical retinoid therapy; Chemical peels; and Pulse dye laser therapy.
Laser surgery
This is one of the most expensive forms of stretch mark treatments that is out there and it usually requires between five and six sessions before it is complete. It won’t even remove your stretch marks but it can help to significantly improve their appearance. Makes you wonder why bother; doesn’t it?
Studies have shown that the appearance of stretch marks continues to improve up to six months after the first laser treatment. How it works is that Laser surgery uses a narrow beam of light that transmits right through the skin helping to stimulate the cells in the dermis to produce new tissue. Sounds painful; doesn’t it?
However, at this stage I will at least say that most lasers only detect pigment that is red, purple or brown, so they do not detect any of the mature stretch marks that have already turned silver-white. Today, several new laser techniques are available to treat a wide variety of scars and stretch marks.
The laser's energy stimulates the skin under the scar and causes the fibroblasts in the skin to split up again. It also gets the collagen stimulated. This thickens the skin under the scar until it looks like the rest of the skin that isn’t scarred or stretched. Current laser technology has been shown to improve or eliminate red or raised scars.
Recent studies have proven that laser treatments stimulate the production of collagen and improve or completely eliminate the appearance of stretch marks. The appearance of stretch marks continues to improve over time of about 3 to 6 months after the laser treatment was first given.
It is said that even the people who have taken this extreme and didn’t show any improvement at first showed as much as a 50% improvement at their 6 month checkup. Current laser technology has been shown to improve or eliminate red or raised scars.
Studies have demonstrated that laser treatments stimulate the production of collagen and improve or eliminate the appearance of stretch marks, but I wouldn’t count on eliminating them. Again even more studies show that the appearance of stretch marks continues to improve over a period of time ranging from 3 to 6 months after the laser treatment was first given. Even those treatments that showed little if any initial improvement showed as much as a 50% improvement at their 6 month checkup.
Chemical peels
These treatments are sometimes applied to other sites on the body than the face, abdomen, legs and thighs such as the hands. They may be used to treat damage caused by exposure to the sun, to remove freckles and melasma and fine lines and wrinkles too.
A chemical peel basically does what it sounds like it does in that it removes several layers of sun damaged skin cells, leaving behind fresh skin which has a more even surface and color. Can you imagine…it just peels your skin right off of you?
It may have the potential to stimulate new collagen to be formed improving skin texture. Peels can also result in superficial, relatively deep or very deep skin injuries to boot. A nurse or aesthetician may be the person who performs superficial peels.
A dermatologist or plastic surgeon usually performs deeper peels which I suppose you should be grateful for. Peels can be repeated as many times as you need them which is to say that some people have superficial peels every few weeks.
For your own safety, I would suggest that you wait 3 to 6 months before repeating a moderate depth peel. Glycolic acid and Jessner's peels result in superficial skin injury and are not so bad. How the peels work is that they remove thin lesions on the skin surface, reducing discolorations and dryness.
After you have the first peel you will not see much of a difference other than the pain, however after having more than one, you should see a significant improvement. Trichloracetic acid (TCA) is the most common chemical that is used for a medium depth peel.
How the peel will work on you depends its concentration, which should be about 20 to 35%. The treatment is painful and when it is done, the area will be swollen, red and crusted for about a week. Although fine wrinkles and some acne scars are less obvious, the TCA peel has no real effect on deep furrows.
Phenol peels should not be used because they often result in deep skin injury. It is rarely used for facial peels these days because of the risk of scarring and because it is very toxic. Absorption of phenol through the skin can give you fatal heart problems and nerve damage.
The group of medicines that most people know as retinoids are taken from Vitamin A. the many different Creams that you can buy containing the retinoids retinol. Just so that you know retinaldehyde can be obtained over the counter at most pharmacies and supermarkets.
Other topical retinoids that have tretinoin or isotretinoin in them require a doctor's prescription before you can obtain it. Adapalene is a related prescription medicine that you can use. Topical retinoids can be applied to any area but they are most likely going to be used on the face, the neck and the back of hands.
Creams that have alpha hydroxyl acids in them can be beneficial in your effort to get rid of stretch marks. AHAs are usually taken from fruit and they are sometimes called ‘fruit acids. These creams can improve your skin texture and color by increasing cell regeneration.
AHAs get rid of the top layer of cells which will make way for healthier ones to come to the forefront which will improve the overall appearance of your stretch marks. Although there are literally hundreds of creams on the market that claim to eliminate stretch marks, the truth is that most of these products do very little.
You can't make stretch marks go away completely if you’re not going through a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. These doctors may use one of many types of treatments on, from actual surgery other things like microdermabrasion and laser treatment that reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
These techniques are expensive and are not usually given to people in their teens because they are not finished growing and their stretch marks will probably just disappear over time anyway.
The Endermologie machine, which was developed in France 10 years ago, uses rollers and gentle suctioning to massage stretch-marked areas, which will help your circulation it will get at least 200 per cent better. It will simultaneously remove toxins and abnormal water build-up as connective fibers are stretched.
The exfoliation process that happens while the skin is stretching can be helpful in reducing the appearance of stretch marks. If you chose to get this process done to you should expect to wear a body stocking while the doctor runs the suctioning rollers over your body. Each session lasts about a half an hour, but to see results, you generally need to have many treatments.
This section was necessary to see what you are up against in your battle of the stretch marks. Seeing what the alternatives are, is it a wonder that you would prefer a more natural method. It’s cheaper and works about the same.
STRETCH MARK PRODUCTS & Directory
Eliminate Stretch Marks - TriLASTIN-SRÂ this product was featured on the Tyra Banks show. TriLASTIN-SRÂ offers rapid, permanent stretch mark removal along with maximum prevention during pregnancy or bodybuilding. They even offer you money back if you are not happy.
site: http://www.ecresearchcorp.com
This website offers a long directory for Stretch Mark Cream. You can also find great information and reference tools at this site. There is also more Stretch Mark Cream related topics and Stretch Mark Cream listings.
site: http://www.giantexplorer.com
StriVectin SD
SD by Klein-Becker Intensive Repair which treats Existing Stretch Marks; 6 oz
$135.00 Better than BOTOX is what best describes this popular product. Strivectin-SD diminishes fine lines, wrinkles, crows' feet and corrects discoloration like freckles. This is probably one of the most popular products on the market right now. I have tried it and think it works wonderfully. Its not just for stretch marks and you will definitely get your money’s worth.
Biotherm
This is a Stretch Marks Prevention And Reduction Cream Gel; you get 150 ml/5 oz for $37.00, this is a treatment for stretch marks. This product helps reduce visible stretch marks. It also helps to improves skin's elasticity & suppleness. I enjoyed using this product and it has a pleasant aroma to it. Biotherm makes many different beauty products for the skin and I love them all.
Bliss
This is for the thighs and is used to slim them. You get 10 oz $30.00; this is an essential oil and sea-salt-saturated compound that is used on the lower-body as a scrub that will leave the skin on your thighs astonishingly soft and smooth. With the summer weather coming around, you will be happy to have this product on hand; especially when you are wearing short shorts and swimsuits.
Caswell-Massey
This is a Shea Butter Balm Stick that costs around $12.00; it is composed of 98.5% Shea Butter. Because it is in stick form, it is great for on the go. It works just like a concealer does only and is just as easy to travel with. Special bonus there is no mess.
Clarins
This is an Energizing Emulsion for Tired legs. You get a 4.4 oz container for $32.00 It is a lightweight and very refreshing emulsion that works to instantly soothe tired/ overworked legs with massage. This product is great for dealing with stretch marks and works wonders for the pregnant woman that is on the go.
Cosmesis
This is a Bruise Away Cream that is meant to decrease the look of stretch marks that are already present. You get 1 oz. for $75.00. it is loaded withVitamin k Healing properties. Bruise Away was created to help people who suffer from areas of redness, black and blue new marks
Darphin
This is an Aromatic Hydrogel For The Legs and comes in a 200 ml/6.7 oz tube that costs just $68.00 This is an efficient treatment for tired legs & feet. This product instantly soothes & comfort the skin. Leaves skin feeling perfectly soft and smooth while helping you to deal with stretch marks and the stress that causes it
Decleor
This is an Aromessence Circularome Balm that you can get in a 50 ml/1.7 oz jar for $58.00 this is a total leg relief treatment that will help your stretch marks heal faster. It Contains 100% natural essential oil that instantly helps relax your leg muscles for the best results use daily.
Decleor
Firming Body Concentrate that comes in a 250 ml/8.3 oz container for about $160.00
This product totally invigorates and improves the skin's elasticity and firmness. Helps to reduce stretch marks and is particularly good for reducing wrinkles and tightening the skin.
Decleor
Refreshing Gel For Legs in particular that comes in a 200ml/6.7 oz $48.00
It is totally natural product that is a highly effective treatment for leg relief. Lightweight & quickly absorbs into skin.
Decleor
This is a Tonilastil Dermarome Firming Aromatic Body Oil that is relaxing as well as it is functional that comes in a 100ml/3.3oz tube for $62.00
This product is 100% natural. Restores skin's elasticity and tone, prevents the appearance of stretch marks as well
Donell Super Skin
K-Derm Cream comes in a 2.5 oz container that sells for about $50.00
This product offers Bruise and Rosacea control for drier skin to help fade bruises, purpura, spider veins, and small broken capillaries too. It is a great product.
Donell Super Skin
This is a great vitamin K gel that you can get in 2 oz for about $38.00
This bruise and Rosacea control works best for drier skin to help fade bruises, purpura, spider veins, and small broken capillaries
Euoko
This is part of the CARRARA COLLECTION and is considered a Body Whitening Gel. You can get it in 2.7 oz that costs around $120.00
This is a non-tacky gel that contains many different clinically-studied active principles to whiten larger areas of the skin on the surface. It is a really great scar reducer as well.
Gelenic
Elancyl Stretch Mark Concentrate is a skin nourisher that you get for 75ml/2.5oz for about $42.00 This is an absolute stretch mark concentrate that contains plant extracts & safflower oil to nourish skin. Helps improve skins appearance and the look of fine lines and stretch marks.
La Bella
This is a Stretch Mark Cream that is very affordable at 8 oz for $6.09. you can reduce the look of stretch marks and prevent them from coming.
Medicool
This Merino Collagen Body Treatment is great for correcting the collagen in your skin. You get 8.8 oz for $21.19 and is comprised of 25% Aloe Vera Gel, Marine Collagen, Marine Elastin, Lanolin and Vitamin E. To rejuvenate dry skin
Murad
This is a more Advanced Performance Skincare product that works as a serum and you get 30 ml/1 oz at $58.00. All you need to do is apply this gel you’re your moisturizer and before makeup to seal in hydration and provide a flawless, long wearing protection for your face.
Natura Bisse
This is a Rosa Mosqueta Oil that you can use with 1.0 oz that costs $47.00.
A lightweight moisturizing oil, formulated with concentrated extract of Rose Hips, rich in Vitamin C and essential oils to help heal the skin
Palmers
This is my favorite Cocoa Butter Scar Serum that I use often. It comes in a 1 oz that costs $14.99 it contains the ingredients most recommended by doctors.
Palmers
Cocoa Butter Stretch Mark Massage Cream that my mother uses religiously and it really works. It is a great buy at 4.4 oz for $6.69. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks helps prevent stretch marks with a special combination of essentials to keep your skin silky smooth
Queen Helene
This is an Almond Massage Cream that comes in 15 oz container for $5.25. it is a luxurious massage cream with a blend of select ingredients and a delightful scent of pure almond that you will be sure to love
As you can see there are a million plus products out there that you can purchase to help you with your stretch marks and other skin problems. There are so many products that it can be very hard to choose from them all. If you are worried about which one is right for you, you should see a dermatologist to see what your skin type is.
In checking your skin type you should have a better idea of what you will be taking to help with your stretch marks. If you are bodybuilding, you should consult a doctor before taking any supplements. Otherwise, why go through the pain of surgery or chemical peels when you deal with stretch marks naturally?
SUMMARY
Now that you know all about stretch marks and how to prevent them, you have a leg up on how to deal with these unsightly marks. There are many different ways to deal with them that modern technology has come up with. You can have them taken out with a laser, but it can be very costly; leave you with scars, or even change the color of your skin all together.
There is also the effort of having your skin peeled repeatedly which can be painful as well as expensive. Even a little bit of cosmetic surgery claims to help you out with this unsightly problem. The only problem with these methods is that they are not guaranteed to even work.
These ways to deal with stretch marks may all serve their own purposes; however there are safer and less stressful ways that you can do it. There are natural ways of dealing with stretch marks as you have learned here. With this guide, you have learned:
- How to combat stretch marks
- Where they come from
- How herbal treatments can help
- How diet and exercise play a large role
- That men and women are susceptible
- That stretch marks aren’t about weight.
- You learned about lasers, chemical peels etc.
- How vitamins can help
- Given a good amount of products to use
Why should you harm your body with costly surgeries and laser treatments when you don’t have to? After you read this handy guide, you will have many natural ways that you can use that are just as effective as any other methods, but without all of the pain and money missing.
Vitamins and minerals play a large role in the prevention of stretch marks. Once they are there, you have no hope of having them disappear completely, but you can make them less seeable.
Stretch marks can be awful to look at and can really make your self esteem go downhill very quickly. I have many of them myself and have tried many of the products that are listed in this guide. I felt like I had to give you a directory to help you get started on your battle.
This guide has also given you help in showing you how to deal with scars, redness and skin’s overall collagen. This guide can help you to fully understand how the skin works and how easily it gets damaged. Hopefully you have learned more than just stretch marks and how to get rid of them. Hopefully you learned how to manage your life better too!