Rapid changes in the body can often lead to the formation of stretch marks all over your skin. It is a common problem faced by people while undergoing puberty, pregnancy, weight gain, and weight loss. These issues result in quick stretching of the skin which then leads to the formation of purple, white or jagged pink lines. Human skin is very elastic by nature, but when it is stretched beyond a certain capacity, the protein that holds up the interconnected tissues called collagen, stops its natural production cycle, thus leading to the formation of stretch marks.
Causes Of Stretch Marks You Never Knew About
Puberty
When a child hits puberty, he/she experiences a spurt of growth that the skin is sometimes unable to keep pace with. Because of these physical changes in the body, stretch marks start appearing and may remain on the skin for quite a few years.
Pregnancy
Weight gain is one of the causes that can cause stretch marks to appear on your skin. During pregnancy, there is a sudden weight gain. As the foetus keeps growing, the skin keeps on stretching and after the birth of the child, the stomach suddenly shrinks back which makes those stretch marks look more prominent on the skin. Stretch marks caused due to pregnancy are called striae gravidarum.
Rapid weight gain or weight loss
The human skin is elastic in nature. It generally contracts and stretches with weight loss and weight gain respectively. Sometimes it might so happen that the stretching of the skin leads to a tear in the dermal layer which leads to stretch marks. Stretch marks formed due to this reason is called striae distensae.
Genetics
Scientist have proved that stretch marks can often be due to genetics. If your parents have had them, chances are you might get them too. Mutations in some genes can cause stretch marks in people.
Body building
Body building very often leads to a quick growth in the muscle mass. Body builders use anabolic steroids to quickly increase the growth of muscle mass and misuse of these steroids often leads to the formation of stretch marks.
Symptoms Of Stretch Marks To Be On The Watch For
Stretch marks are a real trouble for anyone. People want to get rid of them as soon as possible. To get rid of these ugly looking stretch marks, you first need to know and understand their symptoms. Below mentioned are some signs that will help you identify the presence of stretch marks in your body:
Before the stretch marks starts developing, the skin of that particular area starts looking thin and flattened.
- Purple, pink or red lines will start appearing on your skin.
- Stretch marks usually feel soft upon touching them.
- The stretch mark lines are raised a bit from the skin and are wrinkly in the initial stage.
- These stretch marks on stomach and on thigh appear to be like scars.
Did You Know the Different Kinds Of Stretch Marks?
Red stretch marks
Stretch marks usually result due to the tearing of the protein named collagen and the elastin fiber present in the dermal layer. Red stretch marks are comparatively easier and faster to get rid of as they are new. You might also feel the need to itch a lot when these stretch marks appear.
White stretch marks
White stretch marks are nothing but red stretch marks after a few months. The red stretch marks generally turn silvery or white in a month or two and the itching sensation subsides as well. It is comparatively difficult to remove white stretch marks as they are mature.
Apple Cider Vinegar To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks
There are various home remedies that you can go for to effectively reduce and get rid of stretch marks. There are both topical and dietary remedies that you can opt for. Over the counter drugs are pretty expensive and they also need prolonged usage. Home remedies are the best way to treat stretch marks efficiently.
Vinegar is a very widely used home remedy to cure various kinds of ailment since a really long time. When included in your diet, this has the ability to treat infections, aid dieting, regulate the level of blood glucose and help in lowering cholesterol. It is believed that apple cider vinegar can help you get rid of stretch marks when applied topically.
The Basics of the Whole Theory
Similar to Aloe Vera, apple cider vinegar works wonders for the skin. It is believed that the presence of acetic acid in apple cider vinegar helps in exfoliating the top layers of the skin to reveal a smoother and a more even pigmented skin.
Apple cider vinegar not only helps in removing stretch marks, it also has a general positive effect on the skin and can also help to reduce cellulite.
Apple cider vinegar will also help in providing:
- Hydration and nutrition
- Metabolic process stimulation
- Skin smoothening
- Vitamin saturation
- Acceleration of cell regeneration
There are few useful microelements and vitamins that apple cider vinegar contains that has a very positive effect on the human skin. Many women who opt for apple cider vinegar to get rid of stretch marks have noted positive results after around two weeks of using it.
How to select natural and organic apple cider vinegar?
It is recommended that you use only natural products to saturate your skin with minerals and vitamins. Synthetic vinegar might cause you more harm than benefit and hence is better to avoid using.
Below mentioned are some of the tips that you can use to select a good natural vinegar:
- Pay close attention to price, composition, and label. Natural vinegar will always be more costly than synthetic vinegar.
- If you shake the bottle of natural vinegar, the foam will quickly disappear as it has a less precipitate.
- Good organic products will always be stored in dark bottles.
- Organic apple cider vinegar is mostly 6 % whereas synthetic vinegar in 9%
How to use apple cider vinegar against stretch marks?
Apple cider vinegar can be used in five different ways after the initial preparation. Before using, firstly you need to clean your skin with a hot shower, a good scrub and other good cleaning agent.
1. Wraps with apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar wraps can be used to get rid of cellulite and stretch marks. During this procedure, minerals and vitamins penetrate into the epidermal layer. All you need to do is rub vinegar in the skin where stretch marks are visible, wrap that particular area with a plastic wrap and then cover with a blanker or a warm clothing. Remove the wrap after an hour and take a cold shower and apply moisturiser. Repeat this 2-4 times a week.
2. Apple cider vinegar compress
This method is good for people with sensitive skin. To prepare a compress, make a solution using 150 ml of water and 50 ml of apple cider vinegar. Dip a clean cloth onto the solution and dab your stretch marks with it for some time. Take a cold shower after around 5 min later and moisturise your skin with a lotion.
3. Peeling
An excellent and effective alternative to salon treatments is this procedure. For this procedure, all you will need are cotton pads and 5% vinegar. Dab one cotton pad with vinegar and wipe each stretch mark lengthwise rather than doing it across. You need to wipe every stretch mark at least 15 times. After doing this, take a cold shower. By doing this procedure, you are removing the bad upper layer of this skin, leaving the rest of your skin feeling pretty refreshed.
4. Take a bath with apple cider vinegar
This procedure is complimentary to other procedures. All you need to do is around 400 ml of vinegar to your bathing water. You can also choose to add 5 drops of essential oils like lavender, orange and rose for an added effect. Bathe with apple cider vinegar once a week and you will see some definite improvement in your skin condition.
5. Massage
This is a compulsory procedure for everyone who wants to get rid of stretch marks. Prepare a solution with vinegar and water. Take the proportions as it seems right for you. Apply this solution on your skin and directly and then massage the affected area for around 7-10 minutes. Repeat this procedure daily to get the best results.
6. Apple cider vinegar spray
Take a spray bottle and pour one cup of apple cider vinegar in it. Spray this apple cider vinegar on all your stretch marks before sleeping every night. The next morning, wash it off while taking bath. Vinegar is generally known to make your skin pretty dry. Once you wash it off, apply some lotion or cream to moisturize your skin. Repeat this procedure every day to effectively get rid of stretch marks from your body.
Final Thoughts
Apple cider vinegar is extremely effective in getting rid of stretch marks. It is most effective if you use it during the earliest stages of its appearance. Apple cider is one of the best home remedies that you can go for to get rid of stretch marks from your stomach and thighs.
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