Stretch marks are scars caused by stretching your skin for a too long period of time. They actually start reddish and gradually turn white. When the fibers in the dermis are pulled too much, that is to say when you rapidly gaining or losing weight, it causes scars. This is why more than 90 per cent of pregnant women get them. Once they appear, they are permanent but become much less noticeable with time. Be extra cautious if you have blond or red hair, have dry skin or are dehydrated, you’re at greater risk of developing them.

Here are some stretch marks remedies:

Healing nutrition for stretch marks

• Eat good food rich in nutrients and drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated
  
• Increase your intake of essential fatty acids. Eat fish and add flax oil or hemp oil to your meal everytime you can
  
• Eat foods rich in antioxidants (vitamin E and C) and zinc.
  

Which supplements can be used with a proper diet?

• Vitamin E promotes elastic skin
• Vitamin C is a good antioxidant
• Zinc increases tissue healing and regeneration
• Vitamin A helps heal the skin
  
• Silica helps with connective tissue cells
  
• Vitamin B is necessary for healthy skin
  
• Essential fatty acids nourish your skin

What herbal remedies are commonly used for stretch marks?

• Aloe Vera gel or juice rebuilds scar tissue
• Horsetail strengthens skin elasticity
• Rose hip is rich in vitamin C

What essential oils are used for stretch marks?

• Lavender
• Myrrh

What are the common tissue salts for stretch marks?

• Calc fluor promotes skin elasticity

Other healthy skin tips and home remedies for stretch marks

• Apply a mix of virgin olive oil, aloe vera gel, and liquid vitamin E all over the abdomen, hips, and thighs. You could add a few drops of essential oil (Myrrh, frankincense, or lavender)
• Cocoa butter is also good to prevent stretch marks
• Try to keep your skin well-moisturized to maintain tissue elasticity
  

External links

• Stretch marks (Wikipedia)

References

• Andrew Gaeddert, healing Skin Disorders, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California, 2003
• Louise Tenney, M.H., Today’s Herbal health, 6th edition, USA, 2007
• Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch, Prescription for nutritional healing, United States of America, 2000
• Siegfried Gursche, Encyclopedia of natural healing, Canada, 1997
• Thomas Bartram, Bartram’s encyclopedia of herbal medicine, The definitive guide to the herbal treatment of diseases, Grace Publishers, UK, 1995