One of the most common problem we have with our skin is stretch marks. Stretch marks are a type of scar that develops when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly.

The long, narrow streaks, stripes occur when collagen and elastin, which support our skin’s firmness collapse as a result of the sudden change.

Sometimes known as Striae gravidarum, stretch marks appear mostly during puberty and pregnancy on your stomach, thighs, hips, breasts, upper arms, and sometimes even your lower back.

They appear first as a narrow line that’s slightly different in texture and colour from the rest of your skin. They then fade away with time or remain almost translucent or shiny. Although they happen to men too, stretch marks are more common on women.

Although most go away, some stretch marks may remain visible on your skin for a long time. That when you seek medication to make them disappear fast. Instead of buying products from your chemist, you should try these home remedies first;

Egg whites

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A rich source of nourishment, eggs whites contain enough amino acids and proteins that restore your skin to a smooth and youthful appearance.

Egg whites have lots of collagen which repairs your skin and fades away the stretch marks and Vitamin A which is responsible for skin elasticity.

The protein found in eggs in plenty helps your cells to regenerate fats hence quick repair to damaged and stretched skin. To use eggs, separate the yolk from the white.

Whisk the white in a bowl and apply it on the affected area. Leave for around 15 minutes and rinse off.

Aloe Vera

This amazing green plant contains phytochemicals and other nutrients all which have strong healing properties.

Applying the fresh gel from a recently cut leaf on your stretch marks on a daily basis will greatly repair your skin and the stretch marks will fade. This is because aloe vera gel is both a natural healing agent and a skin softener.

Coffee

Caffeine found in coffee helps protect cells against the UV radiation and maintains skin elasticity. It also tones your skin by lightening up stretch marks and turning your entire skin into a glow.

Ground coffee make a perfect skin scrub due to its anti-oxidants properties that give your skin a firm touch. To use coffee on your stretch marks, mix it with olive oil or aloe vera juice and use the paste to scrub your skin gently.

Coconut oil

Packed with antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, coconut oil has many benefits when used on skin.

One major reason why your skin develops issues is due to dryness which allows stretching and tears. Coconut oil is absorbed fats and easily leaving your skin supple and hydrated.

Its anti-inflammatory properties enables it to combat free radicals in your skin cells and reduce the appearance of the scars.

Cucumber

A slice of this readily available vegetable has the ability to fade your stretch marks away. This is because cucumbers have skin lightening compounds and nutrients.

They also contain enough moisture that fixes your broken skin by encouraging the growth of new cells while relaxing your skin. Leave a slice on you affected part of the skin for fifteen minutes on a daily basis for better results.

Sugar

When made into a scrub, sugar helps to exfoliate dead cells from your skin to give room to new cells growth.

Scrubbing also fastens the fading of stretch marks as it improves blood circulation to your skin nerves hence ensuring adequate oxygen supply.

Since it is a natural humectant, sugar also draws and locks moisture to your skin leaving it hydrated and supple. To make the scrub, mix natural white sugar into a paste by adding olive oil and lemon juice.

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Evewoman.co.ke