Stretch marks, also called striae, are caused by a rapid stretching of skin that results in tearing, according to MedlinePlus. These marks generally manifest in the form of glossy, parallel streaks on the skin that have a different texture from the surrounding skin. You can get rid of stretch marks with a variety of home remedies.
Dietary Choices
James Balch and Mark Stengler recommend getting rid of stretch marks by eating foods that promote skin elasticity. In their book "Prescription for Natural Cures," they recommend adding flaxseed, fish and cold-pressed oils to your diet, because these foods are high in essential fatty acids (EFAs) that keep the skin pliant and healthy. The cold-pressed oils can be used for cooking or added to your salad dressings.
Almond Oil
Almond oil can be used as a topical home remedy to get rid of stretch marks, writes Phyllis A. Balch, a certified nutritional consultant. In her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," she recommends stirring 50 drops of mandarin essential oil into half a cup of sweet almond oil and massaging this into the affected area once a day. In the book "Aromatherapy for Massage Practitioners," Ingrid Martin notes that mandarin oil is a popular moisturizing agent among aromatherapists and is often added to skin creams formulated to prevent stretch marks on the abdomen during pregnancy.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is a widely used folk remedy for stretch marks. Noting that cocoa butter is an excellent skin softener, Janice Cox writes in her book "Natural Beauty at Home" that many women apply cocoa butter to their abdomens as a remedy for stretch marks. She recommends using products containing 100 percent cocoa butter. Parent Mentor suggests applying the cocoa butter every night, preferably after taking a warm shower, which increases the absorption into the skin.
Drinking Water
The Baby Center suggests drinking lots of water throughout the day to prevent your skin from getting dehydrated, which would worsen stretch marks. The Pregnancy Mentor suggests drinking six to eight glasses of water a day to maintain high levels of water content in the skin, which promotes its suppleness. You should also avoid foods that are high in fat content, preservatives and additives, because these may interfere with your body's fluid retention.
References
- MedlinePlus: Stria
- "Prescription for Natural Cures"; James Balch and Mark Stengler; 2004
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2006
- "Aromatherapy for Massage Practitioners"; Ingrid Martin; 2006
- "Natural Beauty at Home"; Janice Cox; 2002
