Stretch marks most commonly occur in pregnancy. Rose hip oil can be used to treat and prevent the formation of stretch marks. Active chemical components in rose hip oil contain the necessary therapeutic properties to heal stretch marks. Rose hip oil can be applied in a couple of ways. Consult a qualified health care professional before using rose hip oil to treat stretch marks.
Stretch Marks
According to the website MayoClinic, stretch marks are indented streaks that are red or purple in color and appear on the abdomen, breasts, thighs and buttocks. Stretch marks also occur due to a particular disease, such as Cushing's syndrome, or due to weight gain. Patricia Davis in "Aromatherapy: An A-Z" writes that stretch marks are a type of scarring. Davis advises that, although stretch marks can be treated with aromatherapy oils, it is best to try prevent them before they occur.
Rose Hips
Rose hips are most commonly used to treat stretch marks in the form of rose hip oil, or added to other skin care applications such as creams or lotions. According to Len Price in "Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy and Massage," rose hip oil is extracted from the fruits or berries of the wild rose hip bush. The oil is gold-red in color. The best quality rose hip oil is an organic oil. However, Price advises that lesser grades of rose hip oil are produced by solvent extraction, with the addition of artificial chemicals.
Benefits
According to the website Botanical, rose hip oil offers a number of benefits, including use in the treatment of stretch marks and scars. Price writes that rose hip oil is beneficial in the external application of scars, wounds and problems associated with skin regeneration. According to Davis, rose hip oil contains between 30 percent and 40 percent gamma linoleic acid which contains the necessary therapeutic properties to heal skin conditions such as stretch marks.
Application
Davis advises that you massage rose hip oil over the abdomen and hips from the fourth month of pregnancy, in order to increase the elasticity of the skin. Davis recommends a blend of rose hip oil with the addition of mandarin and neroli essential oils, in low dilution. As an alternative to a base of rose hip oil, add rose hip oil to a base of cream or lotion, with or without the addition of essential oils.
Cautions
Price advises that rose hip oil does not have any major contraindications due to the presence of gamma linoleic acid in the oil. However, over application of rose hip oil may cause skin irritation. In addition, take note of any contraindications for essential oils and carrier oils used in pregnancy. Consult a health professional before using rose hip oil for stretch marks.
References
- MayoClinic: Stretch Marks Definition
- "Aromatherapy: An A-Z"; Patricia Davis; 1999
- "Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy and Massage"; Len Price; 1999
- Botanical: Organic Rosehip Seed Oil Profile
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