Are stretch marks bringing down your self-confidence? Are they keeping you away from wearing your favorite outfits? Stretch marks or striae are among the most common skin ailments that people face today. The market today is overflowing with creams and lotions, and the DIY era that we live in offers far too many home remedies to reduce stretch marks. But the more important question is, do they work? Here, we have a list of the best ways that can help you say goodbye to the stubborn stretch marks. h

ere How to get rid of them?

1. Massage aloe vera gel

Aloe vera is the elixir of skincare. While a majority of skincare products already have aloe vera, you can use it in raw form as well. The plant has relaxing and soothing properties can do wonders for your skin, and taking away stretch marks is one of them.

How to use it: Cut off a leaf of the aloe vera plant, remove the upper green layer and apply the gel directly onto the affected area. Wash it off with warm water and then moisturize. Alternatively, you can add Vitamin A oil to aloe vera gel and then apply it.

2. Use white sugar to exfoliate

While sugar is an essential ingredient in your kitchen, you can also employ it to take care of stretch marks. Sugar is a natural exfoliator that can use to rub away the dead skin cells and make your skin clear and healthy.

How to use it: You can make a sugar scrub by adding one tablespoon sugar, 5-6 drops of lemon juice, and then a few drops of almond oil. Apply it on to the stretch marks and scrub the skin for at least 8-10 minutes. Ideally, exfoliating before shower every day for only a month will yield noticeable results.

3. Coconut oil to the rescue

The versatile coconut oil has made a place for itself in every household. But did you know that it can remove stretch marks too? Well, coconut oil can help increase the blood flow in your skin and produce more collagen fibers. It will not only increase the elasticity of your skin but also remove the stretch marks.

How to use it: Coconut oil is readily available on the market today, but if you want something natural, you can make it in your kitchen as well. You can blend the pieces of coconut, strain the solid and then cook this solid part to get coconut oil. To take care of your stretch marks, apply a generous amount of oil and massage it gently onto the area twice a day

4. Lemon juice

Lemon is primarily used in skincare owing to its antibacterial and acidic properties. It is an organic bleaching ingredient that can lighten the skin tone and remove stretch marks from your body. Besides that, lemon juice will also help you get rid of acne and skin infections.

How to use it: Take a lemon and squeeze out its juice. Dip a cotton ball in lemon juice and then apply it on the stretch marks in a circular motion. Give your skin a good 15-20 minutes to absorb it and wash it off with warm water. Since lemon juice is highly acidic, it can irritate if you have sensitive skin. Either test it on a patch before applying, or you can dilute it with water.

5. Topicals for stretch marks

If making home remedies is not your thing, then you can use topicals like creams and lotions that can work effectively on your stretch marks. These creams often contain Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Proline, and even Retinoid, which lighten the stretch marks.

How to use it: You can put a generous amount of the cream twice a day to reduce the visible stretch marks. While you can get some creams directly from the local medicine store, you will need a doctor’s prescription for many creams, since they may have chemicals in them.

6. Soak in back tea

You might not like drinking black tea, your skin will surely benefit from it. Being a rich source of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, black tea can remove dead skin cells and reduce skin pigmentation. You can also make use of next generation antioxidants to keep your skin hydrated & young.

How to use it: Take a pan and heat water. Add two tablespoons of black tea powder and one teaspoon salt. Let it boil and then take it off the heat. Once it cools down, you can apply it on the stretch marks three times a day.

7. Permanent solutions

If you are looking for a faster way to get rid of stretch marks entirely, you can resort to surgical procedures. With the advent of technology, the cosmetic industry also offers the latest solutions for skin issues.

How to use it: There are treatments like Microneedling, microdermabrasion, and even laser therapy to get rid of stretch marks. Cosmetic surgery can also be a viable option if you have skin folds with stretch marks.

Final thoughts

Whether you have gone through a phase of weight loss or have recently given birth, stretch marks might have started appearing on your body. But gone are the days when there was no option other than accepting the marks. You can choose a method from a vast list of home remedies, topicals, and surgical treatments. But if you want instant results, try camouflage makeup to hide the stretch marks and get your confidence back.