By Patricia

Stretch marks are quite unpleasant on the body. They make one feel self-conscious and uncomfortable about their looks.

Stretch marks are visible lines on the skin surface, with an off-color hue mostly found around the abdominal wall, the thighs , upper arms, buttocks and breasts. While pregnancy has been identified to be the main cause behind stretch marks, other causes include weight gain or loss, rapid growth, heredity factors and stress.

The good news is that those who have stretch marks can adopt natural ways to fade away its appearance on the skin with the following:

1. Castor Oil
Castor oil, which is used in the treatment of a number of skin problems such as wrinkles, age spots, moles, dark spots, fine lines and pimples, can also be used to get rid of stretch marks.

2. Aloe Vera
Known to be effective in the treatment of many skin problems, Aloe Vera has healing and soothing properties that can be used to get rid of stretch marks.You can directly rub aloe vera gel on the affected skin area, leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse the skin with lukewarm water.

3. Egg whites
Eggs are a rich source of protein. For stretch marks, you want to use only the egg whites, which contain amino acids and proteins. Whip the whites of two eggs gently with a fork. Clean the affected skin area with water and then apply a thick layer of egg whites with a makeup brush.Allow the egg whites to dry completely and then rinse the area with cold water. Finally apply some olive oil on the skin to keep it moisturized.

4. Lemon Juice
This is naturally acidic which helps heal and reduce stretch marks, acne, and other scars. Rub fresh lemon juice gently onto the stretch marks using circular motions. Allow the lemon juice to soak into your skin for at least 10 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water. Another option is to mix equal quantities of cucumber juice and lemon juice and apply the mixture on the stretch marks.

5. Sugar
Natural white sugar is one of the best natural remedies to get rid of stretch marks. Use the sugar to exfoliate the skin by simply mixing a tablespoon of raw sugar with some almond oil and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix it well and apply it on the stretch marks and other skin areas.

6. Potato Juice
This contains vitamins and minerals. It is suitable to foster growth and restoration of skin cells. allow potato juice to dry off on affected area before washing with lukewarm water for best results.

7. Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is also very beneficial in treating stretch marks. It is an excellent natural moisturizer that helps nourish your skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

8. Olive Oil
Olive oil contains a lot of nutrients and antioxidants that help improve various skin problems including stretch marks. Simply massage slightly warm extra-virgin olive oil into the affected skin area for half an hour. This will improve the blood circulation and reduce the stretch marks to a great extent.

9. Water
The benefits of water stands sure.
Keeping your body well hydrated helps protect the skin from many kinds of problems and also aids in detoxification. It also helps keep the skin supple and restores elasticity. Experts say drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water per day is the best way to keep the body hydrated. It will also make your skin soft and help maintain its elasticity. It is advisable to avoid coffee, tea or soda though.

Do not hesitate to see your doctor if you are greatly concerned about the appearance of stretch marks on your skin.

Photo credit: Mayo Clinic