Around 80% of us are said to have stretch marks in some shape or form with over 50% of women experiencing stretch marks during pregnancy. So, with it being such a common problem, is there a simple way to tackle them? There are plenty of creams, lotions and procedures to help get rid of stretch marks, but what does exfoliating them do? Well, we’re here to find out!
What Are Stretch Marks And What Causes Them?
Stretch marks, also called striae, are a type of scarring on the skin and appear as a long, narrow streak with an off-colour hue. They are caused by the skin stretching too quickly with the most common reasons being rapid weight gain, pregnancy and puberty. Stretch marks are usually more common in women than men, but it is still a very well-known skin issue for both genders.
How Can Exfoliating Help?
Exfoliating is an excellent natural way to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks on the skin. The process of exfoliating works to buff away dead skin cells on the body and triggers elastin and collagen production. As a result, regularly exfoliating the area of skin with a stretch mark can help to reduce its appearance and help it to slowly fade.
Exfoliating also works great alongside other stretch mark treatments such as creams, oils and lotions. This is because removing the dead skin cells in the area can then allow for other treatments to penetrate the skin better and more deeply. This can lead to more effective results and your stretch mark fading faster.
Tips On How To Exfoliate Stretch Marks
Firstly, use a natural exfoliating scrub for stretch marks instead of those filled with chemicals. This is because natural scrubs won’t be too harsh on the skin and cause unwanted irritation or redness. The ingredients they contain will also have added benefits for the skin alongside exfoliating. The best ingredients for a natural body scrub are coffee, oat and coconut oil. Coffee helps to increase blood flow in the area to reduce the look of the stretch mark from within, oats are gentle and provide nutrients and coconut oil is deeply nourishing and hydrating.
Secondly, make sure you choose a scrub that is mild and suitable for your skin type. Different scrubs will be more coarse or soft on the skin and, whilst you need some scrubbing action in order to properly exfoliate the skin, you don’t want to cause irritation which will make the stretch mark look worse. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin.
Can You Exfoliate Stretch Marks While Pregnant?
Yes, if you are using a natural and gentle scrub or exfoliator on your skin then it is safe during pregnancy. As stretch marks are so common in pregnancy, it is recommended to try regular gentle exfoliation on the skin in order to keep it healthy as well as reduce the look of stretch marks before they get too pronounced.
Overview
Exfoliating the skin is a great way to reduce the look of stretch marks on both men and women. When looking to exfoliate your skin, however, just make sure you choose a natural and gentle exfoliator that won’t cause irritation for your skin as this will make the stretch mark look worse.
