1. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is referred to as a retinoid. Retinoids make skin appear smoother and more youthful. They’re used in many over-the-counter topical cosmetic creams.

Simply using a topical extract of vitamin A, or taking vitamin A orally, can contribute to the skin’s health and overall appearance. A diet rich in certain foods, such as carrots and sweet potatoes, might also help you increase your vitamin A levels.

In an older study in 1996, researchers identified retinoids as helping the appearance of stretch marks. Further research is still necessary to identify all of its effects on stretch marks.

2. Sugar

Some people swear by sugar as a naturopathic microdermabrasion method.

Microdermabrasion performed by a dermatologist is one of the few clinically proven methods to make stretch marks fade. So this home remedy seems worth a try.

Rubbing a sugar scrub on the skin will exfoliate the area. To do this:

1. Mix one cup sugar with 1/4 cup of a softening agent, like almond oil or coconut oil, before mixing to the consistency of wet beach sand.
2. Add some lemon juice.
3. Scrub the mixture on the part of the body where the stretch marks are.
4. Repeat several times a week while in the shower, making sure to rub the mixture on for 8-10 minutes.

3. Aloe vera

While little clinical evidence exists for aloe vera as a stretch mark cure, pure aloe vera is both a natural healing agent and a skin softener. This makes it an ideal home remedy to try for stretch marks.

Apply pure aloe vera from a plant to the stretch marks daily after the persons daily shower.

4. Hyaluronic acid

Collagen is the protein in the skin that allows it to keep its shape and appear healthy. As we age, collagen decreases in our face and our bodies.

Collagen production can be stimulated with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid can be absorbed by consuming a capsule or extract.

5. Coconut oil

Since stretch marks are scarring from skin damage, coconut oil might help heal the appearance quickly.

Coconut oil has been studied for its healing properties and was found in rats to reduce the time it takes for skin wounds to heal.

Applying virgin coconut oil to the stretch marks each day might take away some of their red appearance. Unless the person is allergic to coconuts.

Other treatments

Laser therapy, needling, and microdermabrasion are three clinical treatments for stretch marks.

Microdermabrasion involves exfoliating the skin in a way that at-home remedies cannot. Research has shown that microdermabrasion improved the appearance of stretch marks.

Needling, which is a relatively new treatment in which collagen is injected underneath the top layer of the skin, may also be effective.

Most of these treatments aren’t typically covered by insurance, and they can be costly. Only a dermatologist can tell you whether you’re a candidate for these procedures.

Who gets stretch marks?

There are common misconceptions about stretch marks and who gets them. The truth is that genetics are the strongest predictor of stretch marks.

Anyone can develop stretch marks, but some factors increase the persons likelihood of getting them, including:

• Being female
• Having a personal or family history of stretch marks
• Being pregnant, especially for younger women
• Being overweight or obese
• Rapidly gaining or losing weight
• Using corticosteroid medication
• Undergoing breast enlargement surgery
• Having Cushing’s syndrome, Marfan syndrome or certain other genetic disorders

Conclusion

The best treatment for stretch marks appears to be prevention. By keeping the skin hydrated, the person can help keep the elastin that your skin needs to keep from scarring.

Using topical creams such as coconut oil will keep the skin moisturized and make stretch marks less likely.

Even without treatment, almost all stretch marks will fade over time. Rarely will stretch marks stay as prominent as when they initially appear.

There are a lot of rando non pregnancy safe brands out there. They are trying to find out how much they can make off you, or sell you on false information. And until there’s a better way to 100% make sure the person never get stretch marks, this is hands down your BEST option. Like… it actually works! =)