Stretch marks are a common skin issue with more than just pregnant women. People of nearly all ages, both men and women alike who experience weight gain or weight loss have trouble with this type of scarring. There are several natural ways to help treat the problem of stretch marks through the use of vitamins E and K, cocoa butter and collagen, essential oils; and acting upon other helpful tips.
Vitamins E and K
Vitamin E is important in treating stretch marks. As a cream or oil, it penetrates deep into the skin, regenerates skin cells, accelerates the growth of new skin cells, and makes the skin more elastic and firm, as stretchmarks.com states. Therefore, the scar tissue on the skin that has the stretch marks on it will fade over time as it is replaced with new skin. Vitamin E not only helps heal existing stretch marks but also prevents new ones from forming.
Vitamin K is another important vitamin for treating stretch marks naturally. It can be used topically as a cream to help heal the scarring as it renews the skin and it can also be taken orally as directed a physician. Foods with vitamin K in them can also be eaten to improve the appearance of stretch marks including spinach, broccoli, lean meats and dairy products.
Cocoa Butter and Collagen
Cocoa butter is one of the most popular stretch mark treatments. It contains natural antioxidants and is rich in vitamin E. It is also rich in collagen, which "is a structural protein that plays a major part in supporting your cells, tissues, organs and even your bone structure," as allaboutstretchmarks.com says. This website also states that stretch marks form when the collagen beneath the top layer of skin breaks down and stretches.
The collagen and cocoa butter being applied to the skin will slow down its moisture loss. Dry skin is more susceptible to stretch marks. Therefore, it is important to use cocoa butter as it hydrates the skin and absorbs quickly.
Essential Oils
There are also many kinds of essential oils that can help treat stretch marks. One of the best of these is helichrysum oil, which is the oil of choice for repairing scar tissue and stretch marks. Other oils that can be used for helping diminish stretch marks include emu, flaxseed, olive, tea tree, almond, lavender, cod liver and lemongrass oil. However, only one of these should be used at a time.
Other Tips to Help Treat Stretch Marks
There are some other tips to follow in order to have optimal results in treating stretch marks naturally. Drinking plenty of water and keeping yourself hydrated is very important. The skin is the largest living organ in your body so if it is hydrated, stretch marks will be less likely to form and more likely to heal. Consuming less caffeine is also vital for improving stretch marks. Having a healthy diet and engaging in exercise are important, too, as foods rich in nutrients and exercise help keep the skin healthy.
