Every summer, it’s the same refrain: the idea of exposing your stretch marks is unbearable. Thus, you would like to get rid of it naturally and quickly. What options are available to you? Here are some thoughts (and courses of action) to fade your stretch marks.
What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks are linear-shaped skin lesions, similar to fine irregular streaks. They are due to a too intense and too busque distention of the skin. At the level of the dermis, the layer between the epidermis and the hypodermis, is the elastic network of the skin. It is made up of collagen and elastin fibers, two proteins produced by the body, which give the skin its resistance and elasticity. But when the latter undergoes a sudden and significant stretching, it happens that these fibers give way. They then give rise to stretch marks, subcutaneous micro-tears, visible in the epidermis (cracked, initially colored, then white afterwards). It should be noted that everyone is likely to develop stretch marks – 80% of women, but also 40% of men are affected.
How to get rid of stretch marks naturally and quickly?
Completely and permanently eliminating stretch marks is impossible: once the elastic fibers are broken, they cannot be “repaired”. On the other hand, we can act for:
- Reduce the subcutaneous inflammation, so that the stretch marks lose their red or purplish color .
- Help the skin to replenish itself in depth – boost the production of collagen so that the dermis creates new elastic fibers.
- Smooth skin texture – and therefore the cracked appearance of stretch marks.
- Promote the suppleness of the skin, moisturizing and nourishing it sufficiently.
By acting in this way on the different aspects that form the quality of the skin, the appearance of stretch marks can be considerably improved, naturally and quickly. Here are some solutions!
1– Special “stretch mark” food
Certain foods are particularly beneficial to the skin, as they boost collagen production and stimulate cell renewal. Thereby :
Vitamin A , also known as retinol, is excellent for stimulating skin cells, including fibroblasts. It is found in the liver (veal, poultry, cod) and in dairy products.
Provitamins A , better known as beta-carotene and carotenoids, encourage the synthesis of vitamin A. Thus it is recommended to eat colored vegetables, whether orange (melon, apricot, carrot, sweet potato), red ( pink grapefruit , tomato) or green (spinach, broccoli, fresh herbs).
Foods rich in antioxidant vitamin C protect the skin from oxidative stress and thus promote its regeneration. It is found in certain fruits and vegetables, such as peppers, citrus fruits, blackcurrants, parsley or kiwis .
Foods rich in vitamin B5 are also recommended, as this vitamin contributes to tissue growth, and therefore to healing. It is found in brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, organ meats and cheese.
Vitamin E promotes the assimilation of vitamins A and C. Foods well endowed with tocopherol are vegetable oils, oilseeds and seafood.
Certain minerals are not left out. Thus copper, silicon and zinc are antioxidants and boost the production of collagen. It is found in cocoa, dried fruits, seafood and certain dehydrated foods.
It should be specified of course that hydration is essential to improve the appearance of your stretch marks, naturally and quickly. It must mainly be water-based, but you can also consume green tea, herbal teas, fresh fruit juices and broths. The important thing: moisturize the skin from the inside!
2- Skin exfoliation
Gently exfoliating the areas affected by stretch marks can act on several levels:
Regular exfoliations help relieve the skin of its dead cells. It can thus “breathe” better and regenerate better.
Following exfoliation, the skin has more radiance and more regularity.
The mechanical action of exfoliation helps boost microcirculation and oxygenation of the dermis. This encourages cell regeneration and collagen synthesis. Not to mention the stimulation of connective tissues, for a renewed flexibility…
The effect on stretch marks is beneficial: the skin texture, smoothed, leaves less visible cracks resulting from stretch marks, while the dermis is stimulated and therefore quickly recreates new elastic fibers, for “plumped” skin.
Several natural options are available to you: an exfoliating glove made of natural fibers (the horsehair glove may be a little rough for stretch marks), a small-grain scrub, or a homemade scrub, based on sugar, bicarbonate soda or coffee grounds.
3– The power of nature on stretch marks
Some natural products are very effective on stretch marks, whether inflammatory or mature.
Natural vegetable oils remain a preferred option. Often rich in different fatty acids, their composition is similar to that of the sebum naturally excreted by the skin. In addition, they are often well supplied with vitamin E, which prevents skin breakdown. Thus, daily massages with macadamia , jojoba , avocado or argan oil can quickly improve the appearance of stretch marks.
Some vegetable butters benefit from the same virtues. Their texture is creamier but their effects are just as positive! Think shea butter , cocoa, mango, olive…
You can also add essential oils to your vegetable oil . Some are particularly effective on stretch marks, such as spike lavender (calms the inflammation of colored stretch marks), verbenone rosemary (healing), rosewood (regenerating), cistus ladaniferous (firming).
Finally, Aloe Vera gel can complete this natural anti-stretch mark routine. It contains more than 80 nutritive active ingredients and represents an exceptional source of hydration for the skin. If you want to use it, be sure to apply it before your oil.
4- A targeted stretch marks routine
If your preferences are more for cosmetics, know that it is possible to find an effective and natural routine to quickly improve the appearance of your stretch marks, if not get rid of them completely. Our Maxi Anti-Stretch Marks Pack contains everything you need to restore volume and elasticity to your skin:
The Stretch Marks Cream reinforces the suppleness of the skin, while repairing the dermis.
Stretch Mark Oil and the pack contains 2 bottles!) deeply nourishes the skin, for effective prevention of stretch marks.
The massage roller promotes oil penetration while gently stimulating the skin.
The anti-stretch mark coaching provides you with all the advice to fade your stretch marks quickly, in 21 days flat!
Please note that our oil is 100% natural and contains no mineral oils, while our cream is 98% natural and is enriched with vitamin B5.
5- The last resort: aesthetic medicine
Finally, if you are determined to get rid of your stretch marks, know that you still have the aesthetic medicine option. A less natural solution, not really fast (several sessions will be necessary) and with random results (because it all depends on how your skin “responds” to the treatment). There are several alternatives:
Methods aimed at boosting collagen production , such as laser , radiofrequency, micro-needling, LED treatment or injections (platelet-rich plasma, carboxytherapy).
Methods aimed at smoothing the epidermis , such as peeling (abrasive chemical exfoliation), dermabrasion (mechanical exfoliation with a grinding wheel), microdermabrasion (mechanical exfoliation by spraying microcrystals) or surgery (reserved for very specific cases) .
You can try an aesthetic treatment of your stretch marks. But keep in mind that aesthetic medicine is very expensive, not necessarily devoid of risks and that in the end, it cannot work miracles on your stretch marks (that is to say make them disappear quickly…).
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