The older the stretch marks, the harder they become to remove. While fresh stretch marks from pregnancy and mild weight gain many times diminish on their own, older stretch marks become embedded deeper into the skin, making them much harder to get rid of.
Exfoliation
Exfoliation is key in removing dead skin cells and making stretch marks less noticeable. Exfoliate the skin every day using a loofah or pumice stone, in combination with a grainy exfoliating body scrub. This will scrub away the top layers of dead skin, which hold the majority of stretch mark discoloration. By removing these skin cells, newer, healthier skin can grow with less damage. Exfoliating one to two times per day will greatly diminish the appearance of stretch marks within one to two months, depending on severity of the stretch marks.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is one of the best known remedies for healing both old and new stretch marks. The strongest form is the vitamin E capsule, while vitamin E is also available in lotion form. If using a cream or lotion, rub it into the stretch marks twice daily. If using vitamin E capsules, cut off one end of the capsule and rub the oil directly onto the stretch marks one to two times per day. Do not rub it off; let the vitamin E absorb into the skin. This works best when you're just out of the shower, while pores are still open and will absorb the vitamin E easily.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K works to heal damaged skin, including skin affected by stretch mark scars. It can be purchased in lotion form by the tube, and should be applied two to three times daily. Incorporating foods rich in vitamin K will is also helpful, so eat plenty of leafy green vegetables, tomatoes and dairy products. By consuming vitamin-rich foods, and applying vitamin K lotion daily, old stretch marks will begin to diminish within a few weeks.
Tags: stretch marks, stretch marks, dead skin, into skin, lotion form, older stretch, older stretch marks