Ifeyinwa
was expecting her first child and couldn’t have been more excited about this
fact. As her pregnancy advanced and her stomach began to protrude, she began to
notice the appearance of stretch marks on her belly. As the days went by, the marks
were becoming more prominent. Ifeyinwa, who was always a badass, confident
woman began to feel very self-conscious about her body and her self-esteem to a
deep dive. She began to avoid social gatherings due to this and it became
worrisome, for her husband and friends. 

Do
you have stretch marks like Ifeyinwa— you don’t necessarily have to be pregnant
like her—? Then come closer. In this article, we will have a good understanding
of what stretch marks are, their various causes, and how you can get rid of them
naturally and fast.

Stretch
marks, also medically referred to as striae,
are irregular, thin, long lines that appear on your stomach, thigh, arms, breasts,
hips, and buttocks which resemble thunder. They occur when our skin expands so
fast that our skin can’t stretch enough to keep up with the expansion, causing the
tear of collagen, the protein that gives our skin elasticity. This tear leads
to a specific form of scar called stretch marks. So, in simple terms, stretch marks
are actually scars. And one truth about scars is that they are permanent.
However, there are effective ways to reduce the appearance of these marks, which
will be examined later in the article. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This
is a very salient question. Many people wonder why we have stretch marks on our
bodies, especially my preggo ladies—
due to it being a major contributor to self-consciousness and poor self-esteem.
Well, I am here to quench your curiosity thirst. Here are the causes of stretch
marks:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The main cause of stretch marks has already been
pointed out in its definition and it is simply the rapid expansion of the skin.
This rapid expansion of the skin occurs during periods of rapid growth such as puberty,
pregnancy,
and weight gain/bodybuilding.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other causes of stretch marks include genetics,
underlying medical conditions like Marfan Syndrome, Cushing’s Syndrome, and
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and overuse of corticosteroids (an anti-inflammatory
medication that can reduce skin collagen level, resulting in stretch marks).

Stretch
marks, over time, can fade out on their own but they fade out faster with the
help of some remedies or product. There are a few effective ways to fade out
and improve the appearance of your stretch marks at home with some natural
ingredients without having to break the bank. Try out these natural remedies in
the comfort of your home and get ready to snag back your confidence:

Aloe
vera gel contains healing properties that
hydrate the skin while
promoting collagen
production. This is very crucial to
ridding stretch marks.
This is because if collagen
tearing leads to stretch marks, its
restoration will help minimize the appearance of stretch marks. It
seems so obvious, doesn't it?

You
can reduce stretch marks at home with aloe vera gel if you follow these
instructions:

1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Open up the aloe vera and scoop out the gel into a
clean container.

2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Add two spoonfuls of coconut oil to the container with
the gel and mix them together.

3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Once they are perfectly mixed, apply the mixture to the
affected areas and leave it there— make sure you shower before applying it.

For
the desired result, apply this mixture every day and see the appearance of your
stretch mark improve.

Did
you know that Glycolic Acid is from sugarcane? You are surprised about that
fact, right? Well, you are not the only one on that boat. Imagine my shock when I
discovered this? Well, it makes sense why this acid is a type of alpha hydroxyl
acid (AHA) because it is a natural acid found in food (sugarcane—obvie😉). Okay now, this
food acid helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks and improve the overall appearance
of the skin as it moisturizes and stimulates the production of collagen, which
you know by now does a lot of good to those stretch marks. One of the best&nbsp;Glycolic Acid products is the one from <a href="https://www.jumia.com.ng/generic-glycolic-acid-7-toning-solution-toner-240ml-203152515.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2fO15J7dgAMVCuXtCh2KVQGuEAQYASABEgIA8vD_BwE">The Original.</a>

1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In the night, take your bath and then massage a little
amount of the acid into the affected areas.

2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; When you wake up the next morning, wash it off. 

Never
go under the sun with this acid on your body as it can raise your risk of sunburn
or damage— this was not your goal in the first place, so avoid this like a
plague. It is also safe for pregnant women to use. So everyone is happy. 

These
ingredients can be easily pulled out of
your kitchen cabinet or refrigerator. So, it's one remedy that is easy to try,
especially if you do not have the first two remedies at your disposal. Now, how
do they fade out stretch marks?

Baking
soda is one kitchen ingredient that does the most for the
skin. Due to its amazing components, this baking ingredient helps exfoliate dead skin
cells, brighten, and soothe the skin. The removal of dead skin cells helps fade
stretch marks. Lemon also has lightening properties which help fade out the
pigmentations on
stretch marks and reduce the appearance of
stretch marks. One word for this combination: effective!

1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mix one tablespoon with freshly squeezed lemon. Apply
the mixture to the affected areas. Ensure the areas are washed before
application.

2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Get a cling wrap or large nylon and wrap it around the
areas you applied the mixture.

3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Leave this on for 20 minutes. 

4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After that, you wash it off and follow it up with a moisturizer.

The
properties of lemon can make the skin sensitive when exposed to the sun, so I
recommend this be done at night.

Finally,
stay hydrated, both internally
and externally, use sunscreen every day, and avoid sudden weight
gain by watching your diet.
This will improve your
skin's overall health and appearance.

And,
please, my dear readers, note that having stretch marks is very normal (I,
myself, have stretch marks on my body) and it is nothing you should be ashamed
of or self-conscious about. Go ahead and try the remedies pointed out above.
Be patient and consistent. However, if it does not completely
disappear, don’t beat yourself up. Never! Do! That!

You
are beautiful just the way you are! Remember that always.

Looking to get rid of stretch marks quickly? Discover effective natural remedies to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and achieve smoother skin.

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