Get Rid of Stretch Marks Fast and Naturally

Stretch marks are a fact of life and affect men and women equally. They are the result of quick changes in the body caused by rapid growth like during pregnancy, weight loss or gain, bodybuilding, stress, genetics and puberty. Women especially tend to get stretch marks in the second and third trimester of pregnancy when their abdomens grow to accommodate the babies. The changes in the body happen so quickly that the elastin fibers in the skin are unable to keep up and break, leading to the unsightly marks.
Genetics appear to play a large role in whether or not a person gets stretch marks. About 90 percent of women develop these scars on their breasts, stomach, thighs and hips and are more likely to get them if their mothers had them.

Stretch marks can make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable about your appearance. Fortunately, there are several natural ways to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Home Remedies
Healthy Food

Sugar
Sugar is used as a natural exfoliant for skin. It is one of the best home remedies to get rid of stretch marks. Take a tablespoon of sugar. Add some drops of almond oil and lemon juice in it. Stir it well and apply directly on the stretch marks. Rub it for 8-10 minutes and then, take a shower. Continue to use it for one month or so, until the stretch marks gets fade out.
Potato Juice
Potato juice is rich in minerals and vitamins. It promotes restoration and growth of skin cells. Cut thick slices of a medium-sized potato. Take one of the potato slices and rub gently on the stretch marks for a few minutes. When the juice gets dried, wash the affected area with lukewarm water.
Aloe Vera
A long time friend of skin, Aloe Vera has been used to treat issues such as sunburn and dry skin. It moisturizes skin and promotes healing. Not only will Aloe Vera help fade existing marks, it will prevent new ones from forming.
Egg Whites
Egg is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, proteins, vitamins and minerals that help to get rid of wrinkles and stretch marks. Apply the egg white to your skin, let it dry and wash it after 10 minutes. This remedy is helpful for healing stretch marks easily.
Lemon Juice

• Rub fresh lemon juice gently onto the stretch marks using circular motions. Allow the lemon juice to soak into your skin for at least 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
• Another option is to mix equal quantities of cucumber juice and lemon juice and apply the mixture on the stretch marks.
Olive Oil
Olive oil contains a lot of nutrients and antioxidants that help improve various skin problems including stretch marks.
• Massage slightly warm extra-virgin olive oil into the affected skin area. This will improve the blood circulation and reduce the stretch marks to a great extent.
• Leave it for half an hour so that the vitamins A, D and E present in the oil are absorbed by the skin.
You can also mix olive oil with vinegar and water and use it as a night cream. This will keep your skin stay moisturized and also exfoliate the skin.
Water

 Cucumbers
Cucumbers are various nutrients and skin lightening compounds that lighten the stretch marks. It provides a lot of moisture that leads to growth of new cells that repair the cracked skin. Take the smaller cucumber and cut in into slices. Now take one slice and rub it slowly over the stretch marks for 5 minutes. Now take a new slice and cover your marks with it. Let it stay for 15 minutes, till then have some rest. Now remove the cucumber slice and wash your cracked skin with warm water. Cucumber helps to relax our skin cells and following this method daily will lighten your stretch marks quickly.
Honey and Lemon
Honey and lemon juice treatment is also very effective to get rid of stretch marks. While honey is full of sugar and moisture, lemon contains vitamin C and citric acid that lighten the skin marks. Vitamin C also builds collagen in body that repairs and lightens the dark spots and stretch marks. Add few drops of lemon juice to honey and cover your cracked skin with it. Give time to skin so that it absorbs complete moisture, vitamin C and other compounds. Follow this process daily and within weeks your stretch marks will start fading.
Apricots
Take two-three apricots. Cut them and remove their seeds. Grind them to form a paste. Apply the paste directly on the stretch marks. Leave it for 20 minutes. Then, rinse it with lukewarm water. Follow the process for one month and see the promising results.
Exercise
Exercise provides more blood and oxygen to skin that helps to give extra nutrients and vitamins that repair the cracked skin. Remember to exercise more for the region or part of the body where you have more stretch marks. Usually the stretch marks are on chest thighs and stomach, so chest push ups and pull ups are good. Similarly for stomach crunches are good and for thighs cycling, swimming and sit ups are helpful. One can also massage the area where you have cracked skin. Take one ice cube and slowly rub in on your marks. Follow this method daily to quickly remove stretch marks.
These natural remedies can help stretch marks fade, but they may not completely remove them. You can always see your doctor if you are greatly concerned about the appearance of stretch marks on your skin.

Compiled by Manizheh Soleimani Fard

Resources:
beyonddisease.com
homeremedyshop.com
howhunter.com
caretricks.com
top10homeremedies.com

Other links:

Effective Natural remedies for Dark Circles under Eyes

Natural Remedies to Remove Keloid Scars