Stretch marks, known as ´striae´ in medical lingo are scars or lesions that appear on the surface of the skin due to rapid stretching of the skin due to rapid growth or rapid weight loss. Stretch marks are common during puberty, and during pregnancy in women. Stretch marks may also appear in body builders due to rapid growth of muscle mass, and also in those individuals who are undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Here are some natural remedies for lightening the stretch marks.
- Make a paste by adding few drops of water to 5-6 tablets of soluble vitamin C. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and apply it on the stretch marks.
- Mix equal quantities of aloe vera gel, honey and extra virgin olive oil and apply it on the scars. Leave for about 30 minutes and wash it off.
- Add 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and lemon juice to one egg, mix well and apply it on the stretch marks. Leave for 20 minutes and then wash off. Preferably, apply this paste before having shower.
- Open up 3-4 vitamin E capsules and 3-4 vitamin A capsules and mix the contents together. Add 1 teaspoon of cocoa butter to this mixture and apply it on the stretch marks. Wash off after 45 minutes.
- Mix equal quantities of Shea butter with coconut oil and apply it on the scars. Leave for half an hour and then wash off. Alternatively, you can substitute Shea butter with peanut butter.
- Make a paste by mixing equal quantities of almond oil and ground coffee beans and apply it on the stretch marks. Leave for half an hour and wash off.
- Mash the flesh of one or two avocadoes into a fine paste, add 6 drops of lavender oil and apply it on the marks. Leave for 45 minutes and then wash off.
- Mix equal quantities of amla (Indian gooseberry) juice, turmeric powder and sandalwood powder into a fine paste and apply it on the scars, leave for half an hour and then wash off.
- Add a tablespoon each of juice of neem leaves, tulsi (basil) leaves and cucumber juice to two teaspoons of mashed ripe papaya, and mix well to obtain a smooth paste. Apply it on the scars and wash off after 25-30 minutes.
- Mix equal quantities of tender coconut water, dried amla (Indian gooseberry) powder and aloe vera gel into a fine paste. Apply it on the marks and wash off after half an hour.
Ayurvedic ointment known as ´kumkumadi lehpam´ is also quite effective in lightening the stretch marks. Ayurvedic herbs such as brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), manjishta (Rubia cordifolia) and shweta chandan (Santalum album) are also quite effective in lightening the scars.
Remember, these natural remedies can only help in lightening and fading the scars. It is not possible to completely erase the scars without resorting to cosmetic surgery, which is very costly.