Stretch marks can appear on any part of your body where fat is stored, making many people feel self-conscious about their bodies. Stretch marks are most commonly found on thighs, breasts, underarms, and buttocks. Generally, women who have just given birth are the most susceptible to stretch marks, but people who have lost a lot of weight commonly suffer from stretch marks as well. Medically, stretch marks are skin scars. They are hard to get rid of because they start from the deepest layer of your skin. Many doctors promise to remove stretch marks for thousands of dollars, but there are things you can do at home to get rid of them. The key is a combination of exercise, the right creams, and the right vitamins.
Step 1
Exercise to minimize the appearance of stretch marks. They look a lot worse on flabby skin than on toned, firm skin. Exercise will reduce fat on the body, which will help get rid of stretch marks. The Mayo Clinic recommends getting at least 2 1/2 hours of aerobic exercise per week.
Step 2
Use vitamin E daily to get rid of your stretch marks. Vitamin E contains alpha hydroxy acid, which kills damaged cells on the skin's surface. This allows healthier cells underneath the damaged cells to grow, reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Dermatologist Alexa Kimball studied the effects of vitamin E on stretch marks. Dr. Kimball says vitamin E reduced the length of stretch marks on her patients by 14 percent and the width by 8 percent. You should allow vitamin E several months to work. Buy the supplement in capsules at a drugstore. Punch a hole in a capsule with a pin and squeeze the oil onto your hand. Accumulate enough vitamin E to smooth over all your stretch marks. Rub vigorously for at least five minutes onto your stretch marks. Wipe off.
Step 3
Hydrate your body to get rid of stretch marks. Hydrated skin is less likely to develop stretch marks because water keeps your skin soft, elastic, and healthy. Hydrated skin encourages collagen to collect in your skin cells. The Mayo Clinic recommends drinking at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water per day.
Step 4
Take a hot bath to remove your stretch marks. Hot water shocks your skin into circulating blood more effectively, and good circulation in your skin hampers the formation of stretch marks. Step into a hot bath and then scrub the area affected. Use a loofah to get rid of the dead skin surrounding the stretch marks to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Step 5
Use tretinoin in a cream form to reduce your stretch marks. Retin-A cream will reduce stretch marks by increasing the rate that your skin grows new cells. Tretinoin also helps rebuild collagen in your skin, making the color of stretch marks look more like regular skin. The Mayo Clinic says tretinoin cream works best on recent stretch marks that are no more than six weeks old and are pinkish or reddish in color. Do not use if you are pregnant.
Things You'll Need
- Vitamin E capsules
- Loofah sponge
- Tretinoin cream
