Stretch marks are common, resulting from everything from growth spurts and weight changes to pregnancy. They may appear on your abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and breasts. They range in color from red and pink to purple and blue.

Stretch marks usually fade on their own over time. Although there isn’t a treatment that will get rid of stretch marks completely, there are things you can do help reduce their appearance and texture.

Some essential oils have shown a definite effect on stretch marks. These 4 oils definitely work:

1. Argan oil
Argan oil is made from argan tree kernels. It’s one of the newer skin care oils on the block.
According to a small 2016 studyTrusted Source, argan oil helps increase skin’s elasticity. Researchers believe it may help prevent or reduce stretch marks. A 2015 studyTrusted Source found both consuming argan oil and applying it topically made skin more elastic in postmenopausal women.

2. Rosehip oil
Rosehip oil is made from the fruit or “seeds” of roses. According to a 2013 studyTrusted Source, a moisturizer containing rosehip oil helped prevent the severity of stretch marks in pregnant women with previous stretch marks. It was also significantly more effective than the placebo in preventing new stretch marks.

3. Shea butter
Shea butter is made from the nuts of the shea tree. It’s not an essential oil, but a carrier oil. It may be used alone or to dilute essential oils. Shea butter is often used to hydrate the skin. Many women claim it helps prevent stretch marks, but most research is anecdotal.
Shea butter contains vitamin A. It’s said to help improve blood circulation to the skin and promote wound healing. Even so, more research is needed to prove it helps stretch marks.

4. Olive oil
Olive oil is another carrier oil used to dilute essential oils. It may also be used on its own. Olive oil gets skin care kudos because of its antioxidant and hydration abilities. But according to a 2011 studyTrusted Source on women in their second trimester of pregnancy, applying olive oil to the abdomen twice daily doesn’t prevent stretch marks.

In addition to essential oil, if you want to remove stretch marks faster and more effectively, you also need to match with special stretch mark removal products, and when you use these products, it is also very particular.

A pregnant woman chooses the right time to use the anti-stretch mark cream, which can effectively prevent the growth of stretch marks. For example, some pregnant women will use anti stretch mark cream when they are just pregnant, and some pregnant women will use anti stretch mark cream when they have stretch marks.

So when do you start using anti-stretch mark cream?

According to research, 60% of primiparous women will grow stretch marks. Stretch marks are one of the common concerns for mothers. In order to prevent stretch marks, many mothers will prepare stretch mark cream. But because everyone's situation is different, the time when stretch marks appear is also very different, so many mothers are asking, when will stretch mark cream start to be used?

The high nourishment and strong elasticity ingredients contained in the stretch mark cream can penetrate into the skin, keep the skin moisturized and elastic, enhance the extensibility and toughness of the skin, effectively prevent the breakage of skin fibers and elastic fibers, and help reduce the gradually enlarged belly Itching phenomenon prevents stretch marks from appearing.

As for when to start using stretch mark cream, it is generally believed that it is best not to rub pregnancy cream or massage the abdomen before three months of pregnancy. Because the growth of the fetus was not stable three months ago, and it is easily affected by external stimuli and odors to cause deformities or miscarriage.

Some products for preventing stretch marks also clearly require that they be used after three months of pregnancy. After three months, although the lower abdomen did not bulge obviously, it only slightly bulged, but the smearing work must also start. You must not think that the skin is not stretched without applying it.

Remember, the treatment of stretch marks is based on prevention. If the skin is stretched and cracked, it is very difficult to repair it and restore it to its original state.

When is the best time to prevent stretch marks?

From the beginning of pregnancy. Women who are preparing for pregnancy can take care of the skin before pregnancy, massage the abdomen more, and perform appropriate exercises (such as sit-ups, etc.) to effectively enhance skin elasticity.

Don’t worry about women who don’t take care of them in time before pregnancy. Stretch marks usually begin to appear at 5-6 months of pregnancy. Prevention of stretch marks can start from the first trimester.

The weight gain during pregnancy should not exceed the recommended value, that is, generally speaking, the weight gain should be controlled between 11.5 and 13.5 kg. Gradually gaining weight can reduce the chance of stretch marks.

Recommended other 3 tips:

Tip 1 the correct drinking habits can keep the skin elastic.

After getting up in the morning, you can drink a large glass of warm water, which can stimulate gastrointestinal motility, make the internal organs work, and help detoxify; pregnant mothers who have long been troubled by constipation can add some salt to the water.

Tip 2 adjust eating habits.

Eat more foods that are beneficial to collagen fibers, eat more fresh low-sugar fruits, drink skimmed milk, and drink clear soup. Reduce sugar intake and eat less foods with high pigment content.

Tip 3 moderate exercise.

Simple exercises during pregnancy, such as walking, yoga, etc., and doing some light housework can help restore skin elasticity, especially to increase the skin elasticity of the waist, abdomen, buttocks, breasts, and inner thighs.

Postpartum recovery is more difficult than losing weight, so keep confidence and perseverance.