20 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Stretch Marks Fast

If you?ve clicked onto this article then you probably already know what stretch marks are because you have them and want to get rid of them.

So let?s get straight into the good stuff, keep reading for our top 20 easy ways to get rid of stretch marks fast.

1. Buy a great stretch mark cream

When we say creams, we don?t just mean creams. There are oils, gels, lotions, body butters, the list goes on! Buying a high quality stretch mark cream has got to be one of the easiest ways to go about fading your stretch marks.

They work by penetrating the skin layers to moisturise, soothe and repair any damage the stretch marks have done. A great stretch mark cream with all the right ingredients will also be able to promote the collagen and elastin production in those areas, which is exactly what was ruptured in the first place when your stretch marks appeared.

All of this works together to fill out stretch marks and improve the appearance of the skin around them. The best way to get results from your chosen stretch marks cream is to apply it morning and night to the affected areas. Try to start applying the cream as soon as you notice new stretch marks on your body as they?ll work better on newer ones than older, settled marks.

Stay consistent and don?t get disheartened if results don?t immediately appear. It should only take a couple weeks to start seeing improvements, and in the grand scheme of stretch marks, this isn?t a long time at all!

A bonus tip is to look out for stretch mark creams with a load of great natural ingredients to ensure you?re not putting a heap of nasty chemicals into your body as it?s trying to heal. Here?s some of most effective ingredients:

• Aloe vera
• Lemon juice
• Coconut oil
• Shea butter
• Lavender oil
• Vitamins A, D and E
• Cocoa butter

2. Exfoliate twice a day

Use this in conjunction with your favourite home remedy or stretch mark cream and you?re going to accelerate your results even more. Your stretch marks are sitting in your second and middle layer of skin called the dermis.

To make sure your stretch mark remedy has the best chance of penetrating through the epidermis (top layer of skin), you can exfoliate the dead skin cells on top before applying. Alone, this won?t get rid of your stretch marks, but use it with any of the methods listed in this article and you?re going to see results much quicker than you would otherwise.

Remember, you don?t have to exfoliate roughly, just a light, circular motion over the affected areas for about 10 seconds will do the trick. Be sure to always follow this up with your favourite stretch marks remedy or moisturiser to keep the skin soft and hydrated.

3. Aloe vera

Aloe vera gel is the first natural remedy we?re going to mention because it?s got to be one of the most effective at fading stretch marks, by far. Everyone who?s had a nasty sunburn in the past knows the miracle workings of aloe vera gel. There?s vitamin C, E and collagen in abundance to replenish, soothe and heal your stretch mark scars.

There?s a couple options if you?re wanting to try aloe vera for your stretch marks. You can either buy a bottle of it from your local pharmacy or supermarket, most will have them, or you can buy yourself an actual aloe vera plant. The benefit of buying a plant is that you?ll have fresh aloe vera gel everyday that hasn?t been processed or had any of the nutrients removed.

To get this liquid gold gel out of the plant, simply cut a leaf off and peel away the green, outer skin (with a peeler). Then use a spoon to scoop the gel out, this gel will keep for about a week in a sealed jar in the fridge.

All you have to do to use it:

1. Apply aloe vera gel liberally straight onto your stretch marks morning and night.
2. Leave for 30 minutes.
3. Wash it off with warm water.

4. Egg whites

This is another excellent and completely natural option for getting rid of your stretch marks – and who doesn?t have a couple spare eggs in their fridge? Egg whites work so well because they actually contain over 40 proteins plus they?re abundant in vitamin A and amino acids which encourage collagen production and reconstruction.

Using them on your stretch marks will promote the collagen in your skin to fill and repair the damaged bits and pieces to diminish their appearance. Egg whites are so effective that you should only have to wait a couple weeks of consistent use to start seeing results.

To use:

1. Twice a day, whip a couple of egg whites in a bowl.
2. Apply a thick layer to the affected skin.
3. Leave for 10-15 minutes before rinsing the egg whites off and moisturizing.

5. Lemon juice

Lemons are great for a whole range of uses and they?re so cheap and easy to use for stretch marks as well. Lemons contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) that will exfoliate your skin gently to encourage brand new cells to produce and come to the surface. Vitamin C in lemons are actually an essential building block in the make-up of collagen, so using lemon for stretch marks will help to promote collagen production big-time.

To use:

1. Cut a lemon in half.
2. Use one half to rub lemon flesh gently on your stretch marks in circular motions, squeezing it to get as much juice out as possible.
3. Leave this to absorb for 15 minutes.
4. Wash with cold water only as warm water may actually damage the vital vitamin C.

6. Olive oil

Using an oil as an exfoliant may seem a bit counterproductive, but hear us out. Albeit very gentle, olive oil works as a natural exfoliant on the skin and will then use its healthy fats, vitamins A, D, E and antioxidants to moisturize the skin and protect it from further damage.

To use:

1. Slightly heat up some olive oil in a pan, make sure to heat enough to cover the affected areas
2. Massage it all over your stretch marks to increase blood flow and circulation to the areas (promoting faster healing).
3. Leave on for about half an hour before washing off with some warm water and gentle soap.

7. Coconut oil

Let?s face it, coconut oil can do pretty much everything. And that doesn?t stop at stretch marks. Coconut oil has a bunch of fatty acids in it which are known to help improve cell regeneration and skin elasticity which will help to moisturise and refresh the skin. Used in conjunction with a collagen-boosting ingredient like rosehip seed oil or lemon, you?ll see results quickly when it comes to fading your stretch marks.

To use:

1. Mix your chosen ingredient with a couple teaspoons of coconut oil.
2. Massage mixture onto the affected areas morning and night for 10 minutes.
3. Wash off and moisturise afterwards with plain, organic coconut oil.

8. Laser/light therapy

If you?ve got some really stubborn stretch marks that have been there for years and faded to white or silver, a more extreme method like laser therapy might be right for you. How it works is a laser is sent into the skin to burn off the upper layer.

This creates a micro injury in the area which the body then works quickly to heal. Collagen, elastin and melanin production will all be working overtime to heal the stretch marks contained in that area, ultimately fading them into the normal pigment of your skin.

If this sounds a bit much and your stretch marks are newer, then you can try a less extreme form of laser therapy. This kind sends a low level of light into the damaged skin areas to encourage the body to produce more collagen. It?s much more gentle on the body but still very effective for newer stretch marks.

As with all cosmetic procedures, you will need to get this done at a licenced clinic with a qualified dermatologist who will talk you through your options, the procedure and the after care. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully as it will make a world of difference to the healing process and how effectively your stretch marks fade.

9. Microdermabrasion

This is a pretty cool kind of cosmetic procedure that is generally painless and has no side effects. Microdermabrasion is where tiny, exfoliating crystals are sprayed onto the surface of your skin and then removed with a wand-like device. This removal also sloughs off all the dead, damaged skin cells allowing the new ones underneath to shine through.

As microdermabrasion only works on the upper layer of the skin, you?ll need to go to a few sessions of it before you start seeing positive results on your stretch marks. As it?s such a mild procedure, this would work best on newer stretch marks that haven?t settled in yet. The best part is, if you can wait until your local licenced clinic is having a sale, you can generally get microdermabrasion procedures for a pretty affordable price!

10. Microneedling

Microneedling specifically targets the dermis, which is the layer of skin where your stretch marks sit. Basically, loads of tiny needles are poked into your skin to promote the collagen production in that area. This collagen should then begin to fill out your stretch marks. Because this is such a targeted treatment, you should see results after just a few sessions.

11. Get a dermaroller

If you?re not keen on the idea of going to a clinic to get a microdermabrasion or microneedling procedure done, you can always purchase yourself a good quality dermaroller for a similar effect at home.

Basically, a small wheel on a handle will be covered in tiny, medically sterilized needles. You roll this over your stretch marks and lots of minute micro injuries will be created, stimulating the blood supply in those areas. You body will then respond to this by producing collagen fibres to fill these injuries, in turn, healing your stretch marks.

This might sound a bit scary, and it will be a little uncomfortable, but as long as you carefully follow the instructions for the product or as recommended by a dermatologist, this is a really effective and safe way of diminishing your stretch marks.

12. Tea tree oil

This essential oil is one of the few that can be massaged onto the skin directly without dilution and without creating any irritation, even if it?s not washed off. It?s an anti-inflammatory oil that is used for a heap of skin conditions due to its antibacterial superpowers.

For stretch marks, it will be best to use on super fresh ones that have just appeared and may be itchy or irritated. Tea tree oil will use its natural properties to calm and soothe the area to reduce the appearance of your stretch marks. Use this in conjunction with one of the other remedies in this article that boosts collagen and you?ll have yourself a powerful stretch mark fighting duo.

13. Consume more gelatin

This is an ingredient generally used for cooking that is derived from collagen taken from animal body parts – we know this sounds a bit gross but hear us out. Gelatin can easily increase your skin?s elasticity by promoting collagen production, however, we rarely get enough of it in our diets on a regular basis for it to be doing this. You can consume gelatin in a powder or capsule form or make yourself some bone broth and enjoy that daily to start getting some extra, stretch mark fading effects.

14. Make a sugar scrub

We mentioned exfoliation earlier but this is an effective, DIY exfoliating scrub you can easily make at home to boost your beauty regime. All you need is some white sugar, almond oil and lemon juice.

Here?s how to make it:

1. Mix about a tablespoon of sugar, a few drops of almond oil (reduces appearance of stretch marks) and a few drops of lemon juice in a bowl until the mixture is thick and wet.
2. Gently rub the mixture in circular motions all over your stretch marks morning and night.
3. Let the residue from the mixture sit on your skin for a while to absorb, wash off after 5 minutes.

Be sure to follow this up with your favourite moisturiser or stretch mark cream to really complete the process. You always want to hydrate the skin after exfoliation so it can begin to repair itself and the new skin cells underneath can come to the surface. Over time, you should see this fade your stretch marks pretty rapidly.

15. Retinoid creams (vitamin A)

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative and works to rebuild collagen in your skin to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Too much vitamin A can irritate the skin and be dangerous if you?re a pregnant mother so it?s crucial to have a chat to a doctor before picking up some of this cream, pregnant or not.

Retinoid creams will only work on newer stretch marks and can be purchased over the counter. However, for stronger retinoids, you will need a prescription from a doctor before you can purchase them. As these creams will make your skin super sensitive, it?s best to avoid getting too much sun while using them and always apply sunscreen if you do have to venture outdoors.

Don?t let all of this discourage you. Retinoid creams may be a little intense but if used correctly and carefully they?re very effective at fading and reducing the size and appearance of stretch marks.

16. Hyaluronic acid

If you?re pregnant of nursing, and you?d like to stay as far away from retinoid creams as possible then hyaluronic acid may be a good option for you. Because hyaluronic acid is produced naturally by the body and its main function is to retain water and keep tissues well lubricated in your body, it?s a great addition to many stretch mark creams.

Basically, hyaluronic acid binds to water to help retain moisture wherever it is. So, when it?s applied to skin it will be super hydrating and soothing. If you?re wanting to fade your stretch marks quickly, look for a stretch mark cream with hyaluronic acid included in it for extra, natural hydration.

17. Castor oil

This oil comes from the Ricinus communis plant and is used in a lot of beauty products because it?s got great cleansing, moisturising and emulsifying effects (it allows different substances to blend into each other smoothly).

The fats in castor oil are the healthy kind of fats that our body needs to keep skin moisturised and supple. Applying it to your skin will prevent stretch marks from drying out and looking worse or more obvious.

To use castor oil effectively, massage it generously onto the affected areas morning and night. That?s it, no need to wash it off. You can use this as a moisturiser after your favourite natural remedy for great results.

18. Vitamin E oil

Vitamin E is a powerful, natural antioxidant and protects skin from damaging UV rays, it?s also great for moisturizing the skin, hair and nails. This vitamin is naturally found in foods like eggs, avocado, nuts and seeds but you can consume it orally in capsules or supplements if you?d like an extra boost of it daily.

One of the best ways to use vitamin E for stretch marks, though, is to get it in oil form and apply it directly to the skin to boost collagen production. Another great way to use it topically is by purchasing a stretch mark cream with vitamin E in it. You?ll notice that most stretch marks products contain vitamin E so you won?t have to look too hard. This is because it works super well at keeping skin supple and preventing stretch marks but also reducing the appearance of pre-existing ones.

19. Moisturize and hydrate

This might seem like a super obvious one, but it?s often overlooked. Keeping your fluids up by consuming at least the minimum daily intake of water is crucial to human life and keeping your body functioning properly. When you?re sufficiently hydrated, your skin will stay moisturised and elastic, allowing it to properly absorb and utilise any kind of stretch mark treatment you choose whilst also preventing the appearance of new stretch marks.

Just as important as hydration, is moisturising your body from the outside. After any natural remedy or exfoliation, you need to be moisturizing your skin to allow it to start repairing itself. If you don?t stay consistent with this, your skin will become dry and flakey, making your stretch marks appear worse. Give you skin the best chance at fighting off stretch marks by keeping it hydrated and moisturised.

20. Eat a healthy diet

We know, this is another obvious point. If you?re consuming a balanced diet full of colourful fruits and veggies and limiting processed, sugary foods then you?re nourishing your body from the inside out.

It?s important to include foods rich in fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants which will all help restore balance to your skin and allow it to work from the inside out to heal your stretch marks. In particular, you need to be getting protein, zinc and vitamins C, D and E to keep you skin supple, elastic and collagen-rich. Think salmon, nuts and seeds, spinach, chickpeas, broccoli, avocado – all the best stuff!

Conclusion

If you?ve got stretch marks and you?re wanting to get rid of them, then you?re not alone. Almost everyone will experience some form of stretch marks in their lives and sometimes it can be hard to remember that they?re totally natural and harmless.

No matter if you?ve got older or newer stretch marks, there?s a fast and easy remedy for you to try – it?s all about finding out what works best for your skin type and lifestyle. If you?re unsure about any of this or what you should try out first, we?d recommend consulting your dermatologist for the best professional advice on fading your stretch marks.