Those frustrating scar-like lines around the hips, abdomen, upper arms, thighs, and lower back are stretch marks – and they are embarrassing! Formed in the dermis layer of the skin, stretch marks appear when the dermis is stretched for long periods of time, for example, during pregnancy or after severe weight gain or weight loss. Because the skin is stretched for a long time, it doesn’t return to its original state, resulting in unflattering stretch marks.
Roughly 90 percent of women who get pregnant develop stretch marks. They are almost inescapable because the fibers in the skin snap and break, causing the reddish, brown, or white “scars” in the areas where they appear.
The Good News
Most stretch marks will fade or reduce over time, but you can accelerate this process by topically applying the right ingredients. Lotions and magic potions can help to lubricate the skin, but rarely do they address stretch marks. You need ingredients that penetrate the dermis to nourish the skin from the inside. You can also do another crazy thing to help with stretch marks…
Eat To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks
Applying topical solutions to the skin can help get rid of stretch marks, but you need to address the problem from multiple angles. By focusing on real foods, you can help nourish the skin cells and increase collagen production. It is beneficial to consume nourishing fats (avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, and nuts and seeds), healthy plant-based proteins (legumes, leafy green vegetables, and whole grains), and complex carbohydrates (quinoa, organic berries, squash, and sweet potatoes). And although you may not want to hear this, it is wise to eliminate processed foods, refined sugars, refined carbs, and unhealthy fats if you want to effectively get rid of stretch marks.
The Key Ingredients
Coconut Oil
The skin easily absorbs coconut oil, allowing it to penetrate the skin on a deeper level; this is also attributed to coconut oil’s low molecular weight. The healthy fats in coconut oil can then bond with proteins in the skin and improve elasticity.
Shea Butter
Shea butter has been proven to assist with skin cell regeneration, which contributes to smoother skin. According to the American Journal of Life Sciences, a study of 30 volunteers, who used Shea butter on their skin on a daily basis, diminished premature signs of aging.
Homemade Stretch Mark Cream
Ingredients:
- ½ cup raw cocoa butter
- ¼ cup raw Shea butter
- ¼ cup extra virgin coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 2 tablespoons rosehip seed oil
- 2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
- 20 drops geranium or lavender oil
Instructions:
- Melt the cocoa butter, Shea butter, and coconut oil in a double boiler. Stir to combine them and them remove from heat.
- Pour the mixture into a heat-safe glass container and mix in the remaining ingredients. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
- You can place the mixture in the refrigerator (no more than an hour) to accelerate the cooling process. You want it to solidify but you don’t want it to firm up so much that you can’t mix it.
- Remove the bowl from the fridge once it has slightly solidified and use a hand mixer or an immersion blender to whip it into a cream.
- Spoon the cream into a glass container, seal tightly, and store in a cool dry place. Apply to stretch marks as needed.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
