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geranium oil to treat stretch marks

Geranium oil is extensively used in aromatherapy to reduce stress. Egyptians use this essential oil to treat chronic skin conditions like acne and inflammation. This holistic medicine has nutrients that can improve healthy functioning of the skin.

You can use geranium oil for stretch marks, as assorted nutrients in this sweet-smelled oil can tighten your skin, fade wrinkles, cleanses impurities and improve skin’s elasticity.

Now-a-days people are paying more attention to their appearance; reports say that average women spend about 55 minutes every day having a glimpse for her beauty in the mirror. (1)

We knew that having stretch marks is very embarrassing. It isn’t associated with any health issue, but surely it’s a cosmetic concern.

Striae or stretch marks appear when you suddenly lose or gain weight. The dermis layer stretches according to your weight, but it tears at different places that appear like vertical lines over the skin. These red lines change to silver color as time passes.

Expert says that you can’t permanently treat stretch marks.

Hold on, don’t get depressed. You can use cosmetic creams or natural remedies like geranium oil to lighten the appearance of stretch marks.

If you’re my regular reader, then you’ll know why I don’t recommend cosmetic creams. Even doctors don’t recommend few beauty products as they can trigger contact dermatitis.

On the other hand, natural remedies are filled with high nutritional values that can enhance your skin texture and aren’t associated with any serious side-effects. Researchers say that essential oil are effective in treating ailments and has minimal risk. (2)

How to Use Geranium Oil for Stretch Marks?

Let me clear this once more, there is no treatment to completely remove stretch marks. But, you can lighten their appearance over the skin. Geranium oil is one such try.

Some beauty experts recommend using essential oil during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks to some extent. As these essential oils are packed with nutrients that can enhance collagen production and improve elasticity of the skin. To some extent you can reduce the affect of stretch marks.

However, there is no scientific evidence to back this theory.

You must dilute essential oil before using it. Mix 30ml of carrier oil with 15 drops of lavender oil and 15 drops of geranium oil. Mix thoroughly and massage over affected parts.

It’s recommended to cleanse the skin and pat dry before applying the natural remedy.

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Stretch marks

Gotu Kola for Stretch Marks

ByMoin Nex

gotu kola to get rid of stretch marks

It’s a small herb with prominent nutritional activity. Also known as Indian pennywort, spade leaf or centella asiatica, gotu kola grows nearby water. This tasteless herb has extensive use in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines. Fortunately, benefits of gotu kola enticed modern science to treat skin ailments.

Gotu kola for stretch marks is one of the cost effective and natural remedy available at this time. Charles poliquin one of the renowned strength coaches, noticed in his students who were taking gotu kola that stretch marks started fading after 6 months of regular use.

Seems where long, but you must consider other benefits of this small herb for your overall health. Ailments like psoriasis, leprosy, respiratory problems, hepatitis, stomach ulcers, asthma, fever, mental fatigue and diarrhea can be prevented by gotu kola. (1)

This herb is known as “the fountain of life” because an ancient Chinese herbalist survived more than 200 years by consuming gotu kola.

So I don’t think it’s a good decision to ignore this miraculous herb. (Well am not saying you’ll live up to 200 years if you consider this herb. May be it can help you to get rid of skin and health ailments.)

Gotu Kola & Stretch Marks

Sudden weight gain, pregnancy and hormonal imbalance are main causes of stretch marks. Your skin (dermis layer) breaks in different places as a result of stretching. Initially stria or stretch marks are red, as time passes they turn silver-white.

Often these lines appear around stomach, buttocks, thighs, breasts, knees, shoulders and other parts of the body. They aren’t associated with any health problem, but it’s a cosmetic concern. People get embarrassed to show their lines and try to fade them.

The bitter truth is that you can’t treat stretch marks permanently. You can only lighten their appearance. Cosmetic creams are normally filled with chemicals and processed ingredients. They may irritate your skin and trigger infection. It’s better to try natural remedies like gotu kola to lighten stretch marks.

Substances like amino acids, beta carotene, fatty acids and other phytochemicals residing in this herb aids to reduce inflammation, fasten healing, stimulate cell growth, improve blood circulation and enhance collagen production.
Compounds like Triterpenoid and saponins in gotu kola enhance healing and lighten the appearance of lines.
Topical or oral consumption of the herb will prevent damage of connective tissues and improve circulation.
Research show that it can effectively repair veins, heal minor burns, lighten scars, stretch marks and treat psoriasis. (2)

How to Use Gotu Kola for Stretch Marks?

As mentioned you can consume it orally or apply topically over the affected part. Experts recommend consuming 60-180 mg of gotu kola extract per day.

Another way is to brew tea with dried leaves of this herb. Add 1-2 teaspoon of sugar and few dried leaves in boiling water. Allow it to steep for 10-15 minutes. You can take 2-3 cups of gotu kola herbal tea every day. Or simply get gotu kola cream or oil and topically massage over the stretch marks.

Alternate names of gotu kola are Brahmi, Centella, Centella Asiatica, Indian pennywort, Marsh pennywort, Luei gong gen and Hydrocotyle.

Stop using this herb if you experience allergic symptoms like dizziness, nausea, drowsiness and consult physician.

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Stretch marks

Use Lavender Oil for Stretch Marks

ByMoin Nex

Stretch marks can’t be prevented permanently and there is no cream or remedy to fade them completely. Lavender oil for stretch marks can help you lighten the appearance of these annoying lines and enhance healthy functioning of the skin.

Sudden weight gain or loss results in stretch marks. They may look ugly and sometimes embarrassing, but they aren’t associated with any health issue. It’s interesting that few people love these lines. However, great percentage of people tries to get rid of these streaks.

Excess stretching damages elastic fiber of the dermis resulting in red perpendicular lines. You can see a bunch of creams and steroids available to remove stretch marks, but experts say that none proved to be effective. They have very less impact on the scars, this include natural remedies. However, nutrients in innate ingredients can lighten the appearance of scars.

Also read: Lavender Oil for Skin Lightening

How Lavender Oil Can Lighten Stretch Marks?

lavender oil for stretch marks

Lavender oil is prominent for its calming and relaxing fragrance. It is one among the versatile essential oils that is being used in aromatherapy. Researchers say that lavender oil has significant use in medicinal and religious purposes.

Its exceptional healing properties speeds the healing of minor burns, cuts, wounds and injuries.
Antioxidant properties residing in this essential oil will combat with free radicals that can damage cell membrane.
Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity of lavender oil helps to restrain infectious bacteria.
Topically massage your skin with this oil, and nutrients in it will help you to fade wrinkles.
Ailments like insomnia, migraine, headache and stress can be reduced by this oil.

Its impact on stretch marks can be effective, if you use it regularly. Experts recommend applying essential oil over waist, stomach and shoulders regularly when you’re gaining or losing weight. Nutrients in this oil will enhance elasticity of the skin and thus may prevent stretch marks to some extent.

Pregnant women must consult their doctor before using lavender oil to prevent stretch marks.

How to Use Lavender Oil?

Pure lavender oil may or may not irritate your skin. Shirley Price an expert, recommends blending lavender oil with carrier oil like calendula oil before applying it over the skin.

Wash the affected part with water and pat dry. Now, topically massage the oil over the skin and leave it to dry naturally. Nutrients and vitamins in lavender oil will benefit your skin more than your expectation.

Another recipe: Mix 1/2 tbsp of lavender oil, 1/2 tbsp of chamomile oil with 2 tbsp of almond oil. These ingredients hydrate your skin; improve elasticity and helps cell regeneration to lighten the stretch marks.

Did you ever use lavender oil to get rid of stretch marks?

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Stretch marks

Mandarin Oil for Stretch Marks

ByMoin Nex

I wonder why people opt chemical filled cosmetic creams on their sensitive skin, while there are naturally effective ingredients available in their kitchen. Few innate ingredients smell unpleasant and sticky, but when used topically they enhance healthy functioning of the skin.

Mandarin oil is an affordable essential oil that can effectively lighten the appearance of vertical streaks on your skin. This oil is extracted from the fruit commonly known as tangerine. Chinese traditional and modern medicines use mandarin oil for stretch marks.

When you gain or lose weight your skin stretches accordingly. But this extreme stretch tears inner layers of the skin leaving pink or red lines over outer layer of your skin. Though they are not associated with any serious health issue, people want to get rid of them out of cosmetic concern.

Unfortunately, you can’t treat stretch marks completely. However, topical application of essential oils can fade these annoying lines and give you a scar free skin.

Because of its healing properties, mandarin oil has significant use in aromatherapy to treat various health issues include stretch marks.
Antiseptic activity of mandarin oil restrains bacterial infection on your skin.
You can internal use mandarin oil blended with other citrus oils. Assorted properties in this oil improve blood circulation and this rejuvenates the skin.
Vitamins and minerals residing in this oil strengthen your immune system and stimulate fast healing.

How to Use Mandarin Oil for Stretch Marks?

Unlike cosmetic creams innate ingredients penetrate deep into the skin and enhance cell regeneration. If you can successfully improve elasticity of your skin, then you can prevent stretch marks. Anyhow, it’s not easy to repair broken tissue without leaving scars.

As mentioned above, you can lighten the appearance of these streaks and can’t permanently treat stretch marks using any remedy.

To make mandarin oil more effective blend other essential oils like almond oil, lavender oil and rose hip oil. Exceptional nutrients housed in this solution will not only fade stretch marks but improves your skin texture.

Wash the affected area and pat dry.
Blend mandarin oil, lavender oil and almond oil in required quantities. (Let say 10 drops each)
Mix thoroughly and apply it over prewashed skin using cotton ball.
Leave it for 15-20 minutes and then rinse it off. You can preserve remaining blended solution for future use.

Along with this home remedy, you’re advised to practice a healthy lifestyle. During early stages of pregnancy apply this solution over your waist and over knees to improve elasticity of the skin. Nutrients in these oils penetrate and enhance skin elasticity.

Note: Pregnant women need to consult their doctor before using any home remedy.

Stretch marks

3 Ways to Use Lemon for Stretch Marks

ByMoin Nex

When you gain or lose weight the middle layered skin breaks at different parts, which results in fine red lines over the outer layer of the skin. These stripes around the waist, knees or on thighs are known as stretch marks. Puberty, sudden weight gain or pregnancy can cause this disorder.

Stretch marks can’t be treated permanently; anyhow most of them fade with time. If you’re concerned about your physical appearance, then you can try applying creams, lotions or natural ingredients over these fine lines.

As creams are accompanied by chemical ingredients that can stripe moisture from the skin and make it dry, nature lovers recommend innate ingredients like aloe gel, turmeric, honey and lemon for stretch marks removal.

How to Use Lemon Juice Can Fade Stretch Marks?

lemon for stretch marks

Like innate ingredients lemon is packed with bleaching property, which can fade scars from the skin. But, remember acidic activity of lemon juice can make your skin sensitive. So, experts recommend applying sunscreen or wearing hat while going out in sun.

Exfoliating property in lemon sheds dead cells accumulated over the skin, which can reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
As mentioned above, lemon exhibits bleaching activity which can reduce the redness of these lines.
Antioxidants residing in lemon will thwart free radicals that damage skin cells.
Assorted nutrients in lemon juice will enhance collagen production and promotes regeneration of the skin cells.
As lemon is rich in vitamin C, it fades aging wrinkles and makes your skin brighter.

Now that you’ve gone through benefits of lemon juice and how it can help remove stretch marks, let’s check out how to use it on your skin.

1. Lemon and Water

Citric acid in lemon may irritate your sensitive skin. So, experts recommend diluting it with warm water.
Take fresh lemon and slice them into two halves.
Squeeze one half of lemon in a bowl and add required amount of lukewarm water to it.
After mixing thoroughly, apply the solution on stretch marks with cotton ball.
Apply the solution 2-3 times a week to heal or fade the stria marks.

2. Olive Oil and Lemon

olive oil

Olive oil is rich in nutrients, vitamins and fatty acids that can enhance elasticity of the skin and fades scars. Renowned for its moisturizing properties, olive oil can make your skin soft and bright. You can also add vitamin E oil to this solution.

After squeezing half lemon juice in a bowl, add 1 tea spoon of olive and 1 tea spoon of vitamin E oil to it.
Mix thoroughly and apply it over prewashed stretch marks using cotton ball.
Leave it for 15-20 minutes then rinse it off.
Else, apply it before going to bed and wash it off in the morning.

3. Aloe Gel and Lemon Juice for Stretch Marks

The sticky gel of aloe vera is filled with vitamins and nutrients which exhibits antioxidant, antibacterial properties and also enhance skin’s elasticity.

As mentioned above, stretch marks are caused because your skin fails to stretch with muscles. When you apply natural remedies like aloe, honey and olive oil, they enhance the elasticity of your skin and thus prevent further stretch marks.

Though you can get aloe gel from store, I recommend getting it by yourself. Take fresh aloe leaf and cut its skin after washing.
Now, blend aloe gel pieces with required amount of lemon juice and water (if required).
Get ready for the mask by washing your stretch marks and patting them dry.
Using cotton ball apply aloe and lemon mask over stretch marks and leave it.
Best time to apply this mask is before going to bed. You can wrap a soft cloth around the affected part after applying this mask.

Apart from this, you’re free to use any innate ingredient with lemon for stretch marks removal. But, do the patch test before using it.

Note: Pregnant women must consult their doctor before trying any home remedies for stretch marks.

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Stretch marks

Use Honey for Stretch Marks

ByMoin Nex

Though few campaigns are trying hard to make you love these annoying stretch marks, it’s quite embarrassing to have red or white stripes around your waist, shoulders, on elbows and knees. They aren’t associated with any serious health issue; anyhow people out of cosmetic concern try to get rid of stretch marks.

I really admire such campaigns, as they build the lost confidence in many people.

Unfortunately, few of them turn to laser treatment to remove these lines. Before stepping into the doctor’s clinic for such surgical treatments, beauty experts recommend to try home available remedies. Honey for stretch marks is one such innate remedy which is available at home and has no side-effects.

Abundant healing properties of honey are documented in religious books like Qur’an, Vedas and Bible. Even ancient people used honey to treat internal and external diseases.

Also read: Aloe for Stretch marks

How to use honey to get rid of stretch marks?

Your skin fails to stretch when you gain or lose weight. The dermis layer breaks at different parts resulting in reddish lines over the outer layer of the skin. Topically applying honey mask will increase elasticity of the skin and decrease the effect of stretching.

Note: Sadly you can’t treat stretch marks completely. You can just fade or lighten their appearance.

Ingredients:

Honey – 1 table spoon
Lemon juice – few drops

Vitamin C and A residing in this mask will boost collagen production, which will enhance elasticity of the skin. For best results experts recommend using manuka honey, its expensive but packed with exceptional nutrients. Take 1 tbsp of honey and squeeze few drops of lemon juice to it. After mixing thoroughly, topically apply it over the stretch marks.

Leave it for 20-30 minutes before washing it with water. Lemon has acidic activity; it may strip natural moisture from your skin. So to save the skin from drying, experts recommend applying olive oil or jojoba oil after this treatment.

Also read: Turmeric and honey mask

Sweet potato and honey for stretch marks

Boil 1 middle sized sweet potato, after cooling peel and chop into small pieces.
Add 4 tbsp of honey or manuka honey to the food processor and shift peeled sweet potato to it.
Blend them until you get thick paste. Cool it to room temperature and apply it over stretch marks.

To fade stretch marks you must regularly apply honey mask. Avoid adding allergic ingredients into the mask.

Stretch marks

3 Ways to Use Egg White for Stretch Marks

ByMoin Nex

Though many bogus products stood up claiming to fade stretch marks, they all go in vain. Truth is, there is no cosmetic cream or home remedy that can completely prevent or fade their appearance.

However, natural remedies like egg white can lighten its appearance. The reason why you need to go for natural remedies when cosmetic products can do the same work is that these innate ingredients have no or less side-effects. Whereas, store brought creams often incorporate processed and chemical ingredients, which may damage your sensitive skin.

Topically using egg white for stretch marks can be effective home remedy, because of its amazing nutritional profile. Unlike egg yolk, egg white has zero fat but filled with vitamin A and collagen. Antioxidants present in this mask will help you fight free radicals and collagen strives to enhance elasticity of the skin.

Note: Stretch marks are common and initially red in color. But, gradually turn to sliver white color. If these lines are not a cosmetic concern then leave them alone. In case you feel embarrassed to carry weird lines on your skin, then follow below steps.

Also read: Aloe vera gel for stretch marks

How to use Egg White for Stretch Marks?

Take 1 or 2 eggs depending on the affected area.
Separate the egg white from egg yolk into a clean bowl.
Whip them properly to make thick paste. Before applying the egg white over stretch marks, wash them with water and pat dry.
Apply the egg white using brush over stretch marks.
Leave it to dry for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse it off.

To see positive results, experts recommend applying the egg white mask 2-3 times a day.

Massaging egg white over the skin will improve blood circulation and fasten the healing process. Along with this topical treatment you need to internally hydrate your skin by drinking lots of water and consume nutritious diet.

Recommended: Turmeric for Stretch Marks

Egg White and Olive Oil

Those who don’t like the eggy smell mix it with olive oil and massage over stretch marks. Both ingredients are rich in assorted nutrients, which tighten the skin pores, hydrate the skin and improve fast healing.

Vitamin E in olive oil enhances collagen production and improves elasticity of the skin. As you might know, stretch marks appear when your skin fails to stretch according to the body’s growth. The dermis layer breaks at different places that appear as lines over the skin.

Though this mask can’t repair dermis directly, it lightens the appearance on outer layer of the skin.

After treating with egg white mask, you can topically apply olive oil or other essential oil to get rid of the pungent smell.

Egg White and Lemon Juice

Lemon juice exhibits acidic activity, the natural bleaching property in this juice can effectively help to lighten stretch marks and scars.

Mix it with egg white in required quantity and apply it over stretch marks. But lemon juice may irritate your sensitive skin, so apply moisturizer after treating with this mask.

I strongly recommend trying only egg white to get rid of stretch marks, without any other ingredient in it. Later, if you feel comfortable with other ingredients you can add them.

Stretch marks

Turmeric for Stretch Marks

ByMoin Nex

Ancient people in India are aware of the exceptional benefits of turmeric powder, may be this is why traditionally brides and grooms in India are applied turmeric paste as a marriage ritual.

Not only on marriage occasions, women in India, apply turmeric paste before bathing. I still remember my admired English ma’am; she used to apply turmeric paste once or twice in a week. Apart from having beauty benefits, turmeric for stretch marks has been considered as an effective home remedy.

Stretch marks are no more considered as a flaw. They’re normal and to rise an awareness, a social media campaign has been started with “Love your lines” on instagram.

When you gain or lose weight, your skin fail to keep up the pace resulting in breakage of elastic fiber under the skin. This breakage appears as perpendicular lines over the skin. Though they’re not associated with any pain or issue, people try to remove them out of cosmetic concern.

Pregnancy stretch marks are very common in women. This is something that can’t be prevented completely. Anyhow, experts recommend applying turmeric, lemon and apricot paste during pregnancy; these innate ingredients will enhance elasticity of your skin thus limiting streaks.

Unfortunately, you can’t complete treat stretch marks. No medication or ointment or home remedy was proved to completely fade these streaks. However, they can be used to lighten these lines over the skin. (source)

How to Use Turmeric Paste for Stretch Marks?

turmeric for stretch marks

There are many cosmetic products that can effectively treat stretch marks, but turmeric stands different because it’s affordable and natural. Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antioxidant agents in turmeric powder make it an excellent remedy for treating acne, skin infection, fever, arthritis and digestive problems. Ancient people used turmeric to treat liver disease and reduce “Bad” cholesterol in the body.

Curcumin in turmeric powder is a compound that exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which can inhibit chronic diseases. A research concludes that curcumin penetrates into cell membrane and enhances its resistance power. (source)

You might think why I need to use turmeric paste when it can’t effectively treat my stretch marks? (As mentioned in the above paragraph)

Because, naturally turmeric powder is packed with assorted nutrients that can help you to maintain healthy and glowing skin. So, I personally recommend you to add this spice to your beauty regimen.

How to Make Turmeric Paste?

Making turmeric paste is damn simple. Just mix required water to it and apply it over prewashed face. To increase the effectiveness of the mask you can optionally add other powerful innate ingredients like lemon, honey and coconut oil.

Also read: Turmeric and honey mask

1. Turmeric and Lemon Juice

lemon for pimples

Initially wash the affected area or stretch marks with water and pat dry. So that impurities piled over the skin can be removed. Turmeric and lemon juice or cucumber juice can be used to remove black spots on the skin and lighten stretch marks.

If you’ve sensitive skin, replace lemon juice with curd, buttermilk or malai, this will help you to treat stretch marks on stomach.

2. Turmeric and Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is renowned for its moisturizing properties. It has unmatched benefits to your skin, learn them here. Mix turmeric powder with coconut oil or just rub coconut oil to treat stretch marks.

These home remedies will improve functioning of the skin and enhance its elasticity. As mentioned above, you can use these home remedies before pregnancy to avoid stretch marks to some extent.

3. Turmeric and Saffron with Lemon Juice

turmeric saffron for stretch marks

Saffron is a spice, which is derived from the dried stigmas of the flower. It has got significant attention in treating menstrual issues and to increase sexual desire. (source)

Anyhow, people also use it in treating asthma, cough, insomnia, depression, heart burn and dry skin. Mix it with turmeric and add 1-2 drops of lemon juice to the paste. Properties in lemon can lighten the scars effectively.

You can replace saffron with sandalwood powder. Anti-aging and anti-tanning properties in sandalwood powder will make your skin glow.

Also read: Sandalwood for treating acne

Important Note:

Apart from using it topically, you can consume turmeric powder to improve elasticity and overall health. Use black pepper to increase its absorption in the body. When using turmeric for stretch marks, remember that you’re enhancing your over all skin functioning and also stretch marks can’t be treated completely.

So, experts recommend to topically applying these natural ingredients over the stomach, on elbows and on knees regularly while you’re pregnant or when you’re losing weight. This will enhance elasticity of the skin.

Image source: Flickr.com