Stretch marks are red or purple marks that occur when the skin changes rapidly and the middle layer of skin -- the dermis -- tears. These marks are usually found on your thighs, upper arms, back, buttocks, or stomach. The marks start as a reddish or purple color and turn white over time. The marks are easier to treat when they are still red or purple, but there are some treatments for white stretch marks, including using vitamin E oil on them.
What is Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is a vitamin found naturally in some foods that can also be bought in capsule form. The vitamin is said to have anti-aging properties, and the vitamin in oil form is often used to treat skin conditions like sun burns, wrinkles and stretch marks. Many creams and lotions marketed for stretch mark removal already have vitamin E oil in them.
Application Techniques
To apply vitamin E oil to your stretch marks, you'll need either a bottle of pure vitamin E oil or vitamin E capsules. If you use the capsules, you'll have to poke them with a needle and squeeze the oil out. The amount of oil you use depends on how many stretch marks you are treating and how big they are. Rub the oil into each stretch mark and massage it in. You should apply the oil to the marks at least once a day.
Where to find Vitamin E oil
Vitamin E oil can be bought in capsule or liquid form in most grocery stores and pharmacies. The vitamin occurs naturally in some foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and vegetable oils. Since vitamin E is an antioxidant, eating foods that are rich in vitamin E is said to benefits.
Does it Really Work?
There are many accounts of vitamin E reducing the appearance of stretch marks, but there's no conclusive medical evidence that the oil is effective. However, AllAboutStretchMarks.com claims massaging with vitamin E oil improves circulation in the skin and increases the skin's elasticity.
Other Stretch Mark Treatments
The most extreme method for removing stretch marks is plastic surgery. Dermatologists also perform laser treatments to erase the marks, but the treatments require multiple sessions and are expensive. There are a number of topical creams and lotions on the market that are designed to lighten the appearance of stretch marks. According to a June 2009 article on CNN Health, creams with alpha hydroxy acid, cocoa butter, vitamin E and plant extracts may help get rid of the marks.
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