Home Treatments for Stretch Marks
Stretch marks–those unsightly reddish or purplish streaks that can show up on your stomach, thighs, breasts, hips or arms during pregnancy or episodes of weight gain–can ruin your chances of wearing a bathing suit or a skimpy sundress. Getting stretch marks removed surgically can also be a headache, with procedures like laser surgery and dermabrasion costing a good deal in both time and money. Fortunately, women for decades have relied on inexpensive, effective home remedies to treat stretch marks.
Vitamin K Cream
Vitamin K is a vitamin essential to the promotion and maintenance of blood vessel health. When creams or lotions rich in Vitamin K are applied to the skin, particularly in bruised or blemished areas, they are thought to play a role in decreasing blood loss, strengthening blood vessel walls and fading skin imperfections. To use Vitamin K cream as a stretch mark treatment, choose a cream from a reputable brand, preferably one that also includes aloe vera, Vitamin E, cocoa butter and a variety of essential oils in the cream. Rub a generous amount of the cream into your stretch-marked areas at least twice a day.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is an essential oil that has been used for centuries as a home treatment for everything from headaches to stress to respiratory problems. It is simple to use as a stretch mark treatment. Apply several drops of the oil to your stretch marks, three times a day, and massage into the skin thoroughly. About seven to 10 drops of lavender oil can be combined with several drops of chamomile oil in 1 oz. of almond or jojoba oil to make a sweet-smelling and effective homemade oil concoction that can also help diminish the appearance of stretch marks.
Olive Oil
Many women recommend gently warming a small amount of olive oil and rubbing this vigorously onto stretch marks. Just as massages with oil promote healthy circulation, it is thought that massaging stretch-marked skin with olive oil will increase circulation to the area and, over time, fade the stretch marks.
Homemade Lotions
There are a number of concoctions you can make at home that combine a variety of stretch mark-treating oils and lotions to make even more effective lotions. One homemade stretch mark lotion calls for 1/2 cup cocoa butter, 1 tbsp. wheat germ oil, 1 tsp. apricot kernel oil, 1 tsp. Vitamin E oil and 2 tsp. grated beeswax to be heated just until the beeswax is completely melted. The lotion should be stored in the refrigerator and applied to any stretch marks several times a day.
