Time to say goodbye to stretch marks!!

Looking for some ways to manage your stretch marks? We’ve got you covered!

If scars make you uneasy and you want to get rid of them, we may have some quick ideas for you. Stretch marks are a part of life and are usually reflective of our skin. Even though we can’t completely erase them, we can try our best to reduce them.

Stretch marks are the bands of lines that appear on our skin. They tend to be unwanted and we often look for ways to reduce or remove them entirely. We see stretch marks appearing on our thighs, belly or hips and they might be a result of losing and gaining weight quickly or even due to pregnancy. Working out can also lead to stretch-mark occurrences, around the thighs, arms and calf.

Home remedies have always been the most chosen form of skin care. With the pandemic going on and the work from home culture being the new normal, DIY remedies have become our go to options. We’re here to help you look after yourself. Don’t worry, if you see these streaks on your body. They are usually harmless and normal to have.

Here are some easy, DIY home-remedies to remove stretch marks.

• Sugar Scrub
  Sugar is an excellent way to gently exfoliate your skin at home. Ever heard of microdermabrasion? Don’t get scared. It refers to methods to exfoliate the skin and remove excess dead skin from it. Sugar can be a great at-home alternative to such treatments. For a simple sugar-scrub try this out:
  
  - In a bowl, mix a cup of sugar with some oil (like Vitamin-E or Coconut Oil)
  - Add a squeeze of lemon juice to it
  - Mix! Mix! Mix!
  - Apply to your body and gently rub on the area you wish to.
  - Rub the mixture for 8 to 10 minutes and wash off gently.
  
  Repeat the process twice a week.
  
  Caution: Be careful not to over-do it! Your skin may be sensitive and thus may break out as a result of trying this. Repeat the process whenever comfortable. Also, do a patch-test to make sure this mix agrees with your skin.
• Aloe Vera
  Just when you thought aloe vera was done being the answer to all your bodycare concerns, it proves itself yet again. This succulent plant is a soothing addition to your body scrub. Packed with anti-inflammatory properties, it helps treat irritated skin. Not only that, but aloe has healing properties, and adds a protective layer to your skin allowing it to remain hydrated and heal. Its antibacterial properties work best to restore skin health.
  Want to add some of this super-plant to your body rub? Here is how you can:
  
  - Take a bowl and add two spoons of coconut or almond oil
  - Scoop out some aloe or use some aloe gel and add it to the mix
  - Stir really well and apply to the concerned area.
  - For best results repeat this process 2-3 times a week.
  
  Aloe Vera will repair and not irritate the skin. Use this soothing mix to reveal smooth skin.
• Coffee
  Any home-remedy list would be incomplete without coffee. Caffeine is packed with anti-inflammatory properties and it also helps tone the skin. Try using this coffee recipe:
  
  - Take some coffee grounds in a bowl
  - Mix with some oil (Olive oil or Coconut oil)
  - Stir well and apply around the area with the marks
  
  Repeat this twice a week, but discontinue using this if this irritates your skin. Also, conduct a patch-test to ensure this recipe does not harm your skin.
  If you like, you can also opt for Cellulite & Stretch Mark Reduction Duo. This is full of antioxidants, and caffeine and is perfect for such skin worries.
• Hydrate
  Hydration cannot be emphasised enough! Water helps retain elasticity in our skin, as elastin keeps the skin from scarring. Try to keep a note of how much water you drink in a day. For adults and teens, the recommended water intake in a day is two-three litres. If you exercise regularly, do not skip on taking a break and drinking some cooling water.
• Eat right
  A balanced diet helps keep our bodies functioning smoothly. Our skin, being the largest organ in the body, needs to be looked after also. Collagen is a protein which makes close to 75% of our skin, and keeping it in check is important to prevent sagging and keep it elastic. Eating foods like oranges, vegetables, cucumbers, and eggs supply collagen to our body. Healthy fats include nuts too! Munch on some almonds, walnuts and cashews.
• Moisturize
  Keeping your skin hydrated can also be achieved by using appropriate moisturizers. Nourishing moisturisers help retain moisture in your skin and prevent it from looking dry. Try looking for body lotions with hyaluronic acid as they help in collagen production and contribute to healthy skin appearance.

Our bodies are all unique and need to be treated with love. Accepting our bodies for what they are is difficult, but crucial to leading a healthy life. Especially as teens, body-image is a tricky subject. But don’t give up on yourself and give your body the time to heal. Being healthy involves not just working out, but also eating right and taking care of our mind. Overall health should always be the end-goal.

We hope you found a couple of recipes to try out in this article. Be kind to yourself and listen to your body. Looking after yourself and taking care of your body is paramount to being healthy.