Let’s talk stretch marks, shall we? We’ve all got ’em and they’re all in different places on our bodies. Whether you got them from weight gain or loss, pregnancy, or even genetics, stretch marks can pop up all over our bodies in all different sizes. I actually didn’t really notice my stretch marks until recently. I had gained some weight when I was pregnant with Chloe, but it wasn’t until I was in Ibiza and wearing more ‘thong’ bathing suits that it really hit me that I had them. While you should be proud of your stripes, there is no harm in wanting to find a way to reduce the appearance of them as well.
Okay, science time: stretch marks are essentially small tears in your skin. The tear happens in the middle layer of your skin (the dermis) when the tissue is stretched beyond its limit. Typically, stretch marks happen when there is a rapid change in your skin (i.e pregnancy, weight gain or loss, or a growth spurt). As I said before, I don’t mind my stripes, but I wanted to find a way to reduce the appearance of them. Fade them a little, if you will. So I’ve been doing a little research and lots of testing and have found a few methods that work for me!
1. Exfoliate
As important as a good skincare routine is to keep your face clear and healthy, the skin on your face only covers a fraction of your entire body. So stretch marks or not, it’s important to take care of your skin all over! And just like you need to exfoliate your face once or twice a week, you should do the same for the rest of your body. I love this one for all over, but this one especially for my booty! Exfoliating helps get rid of those dead skin cells that are still on your body as well as helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Not to mention it leaves your skin feeling silky smooth! Your body lotion will absorb into your skin so much better too once you exfoliate.
2. Dry Brushing
I use my dry-brush once or twice a month. Dry brushing exfoliates dead skin, stimulates your lymphatic system, reduces cellulite, unclogs pores and decongests skin! But before you incorporate it into your routine- be sure to read my post about it here.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Finally, I’ve been loving using apple cider vinegar as a topical treatment. You probably already have this lying around in your pantry, too! I take one cup of apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle and spray my stretch marks every night before I fall asleep. I then I wash it off the next morning and then apply a good body butter to keep the area moisturized.
Do you guys have any tips for reducing the appearance of your stretch marks? I’d love to hear them! And please remember, I’m not a professional and I can only tell you things based off of my own personal experience.
Credits:
Photography by Karla TicasWhat do YOU think?
37 responses to “Let’s Talk Stretch Marks”
Related
Related
Say Goodbye to Tech-Neck
I spend a LOT of time on my devices. Between emails, Zoom calls, and (of course) TikTok and Instagram– I feel like I’m always looking...
Beauty 4 years ago
2020's Best Sunscreens - Editor Approved
Nowadays, there is no excuse to forgo wearing SPF. They come in many forms, price points, are no longer oily, available everywhere, and most importantly...
Beauty 4 years ago
The Best Summer Skin
Whether we like it or not, summer’s officially here and there’s no way of escaping it. As much as we’d rather be daydreaming of when...
I used dermalmd stretch mark serum on some very new stretch marks on my thighs that I got after a little weight gain from a medication. Since stopping said medication I was desperate to get rid of the marks. After 2 weeks they have faded almost to oblivion. At this rate, I’m no longer worried about wearing a bikini this summer!
Amazing pics! Thanks for sharing!
I love the photography and this post is a great idea to write about because we defo all have them in different places, I have them in the same place but I quite like them xx
S x
SHELISES WORLD
Although I don’t have any (at least I hope not), it’s good to know how I can prevent and possibly reduce them. Thanks for sharing! <3
xoxo Ariel
AESTE BLANC | https://aesteblanc.blogspot.com/
During my pregnancy I used cocoa butter from Palmers.I don’t have a single stretch mark on my stomach or anywhere else I applied it, but I got few on areas I didn’t apply the cream.my best friend used it too and had great results. I read somewhere that cocoa butter helps on making stretch marks less visible ore reduces them..
Love this post, not many bloggers are willing to speak out on it despite how helpful it is for all women and girls, and the imagery is just stunning!
Freya | freya-ella.blogspot.co.uk
Great post and thank you for your candor and vulnerability 🙂 I absolutely love the genuity of your posts!
Tips for stretch marks that I’ve used very successfully is actually coffee grinds for exfoliation and extra virgin, natural coconut oil for mousturization. I developed my stretch marks after an illness and surgery that kept me pretty sedentary from my really active lifestyle and I was so devastated when I noticed them around my hip and back thigh area.
However, I read about lots of natural remedies and settled in this one! The caffeine in the coffee grinds actually helps to “wake up” your skins cells and the coconut oil is an intensive, long lasting natural moisturizer that locks in your body’s natural moisture. It has been 3 months of this treatment, 2-3 times a week in the shower and I’ve never lived the look of my hip/leg area more!!
xoxo – Claire
Thank you for sharing! It’s really helpful.
Xoxo
Stylemiup.com
Wow! Amazing pics! Magic <3
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
I never knew apple cider vinegar helped reduce the appearance of stretch marks! Will give it a try, now I normally use Bio Oil, it does help fade scars and stretch marks but it takes such a long time to actually notice a difference x http://www.justsavxnnah.com
oh thank you for sharing this! And that one shot of you too! I definitely get nervous with my stretch marks. HAven’t had children, but I’ve gained and lost weight recently. This REALLY gives me a boost of energy and confidence (and I’m wearing a bathing suit today). Thank you <3 x
chevrons & éclairs – http://bit.ly/2uonAdF
Thanks for the tips! I use apple cider vinegar for some years and it really works!
http://www.misperlasdemoda.com/the-power-of-red/
Hi Chriselle,
Thank you for sharing what many consider an imperfection but truly isn’t. Definitely going to take these tips into consideration as I too have so much of it!
Lots of love and power to you! xx
Ps. You’re on fiyaah in those pictures! <3
https://riaparikh.wordpress.com/
beautiful post so in love with your shape and Attitude
xo Tanja
http://www.tbfashionvictim.com
You’re a brave woman, Chriselle! I don’t know if I would ever be able to wear my stretch marks like you have, oh so proudly! I have been following you since the very start, you were the first ever blogger I started following. And my respect for you grows by the day. I’ve fallen in love with the person you are. :’)
I would definitely try these tips, like I try everything you recommend. Hope you read my comment and can check out my Instagram and blog *please do, please do*
Have a great day!
Ohh I didn’t now that apple cider vinegar helped with stretch marks! I have some too, from my growth spurt back in my early teens, and I’ve never really minded them, but I do know what you mean about wanting to help it fade a bit! 🙂 Thanks for sharing these great tips, Chriselle! <3
XO, Elizabeth
http://clothestoyouuu.com/
You look amazing regardless!
Vivian | LIVE . IN . LOVE
IG | @viviyunn_
~
I dry brush every morning – however I have stopped my vinegar taking.
I should start up again.
Thanks for reminding me!
Love this about your blog.
Kiri
Set to Glow
http://www.settoglow.com.au
There’s a product that my friend swears by called Stretcheaz. She used it during her pregnancy (just had her baby in May) and has absolutely no stretch marks. It’s similar to Spanx but made for pregnancy. She’s short like me and she gained a lot of weight so I’m hoping when I get pregnant, it works for me. I don’t know if it really worked or if it was just her genetics, but I’ll probably still use it anyway when I become pregnant (in addition to your tips above of course!). I mean, every little bit helps, am I right?
Absolutely love it!
Mireia from TGL
https://thegoldlipstick.com/
Beautiful Chriselle! Stretch marks are battle marks that only show how much of a power woman you are!
http://www.theavantguardian.com
I think some people have some kind of stretch marks, even guys but there those lucky ones that don’t have it at all.. Even after pregnancy…. So lucky! Bless their genetics. I have them on the side of my things merged all the way to my butt… Half way. I always exfoliated and I know its from a growth spurt because I’ve had it since I was in middle school. Lucky of my mom, she has no stretch marks so I think me and my sis genetically inherited from my dad. Anyways. Good tips especially the dry brush. I’ll will try that and I assume I should get a soft brush yes? Thanks again
Oh I have several stretch marks on my upper legs and thighs. I will be trying out your tips and the ones in the comments. Thank you all for sharing!
Xo,
Marienne
http://www.genaradenis.com
GENARA DENIS JEWELRY • Fun-Classy Handmade Jewelry for a Fashion Statement and/or Spiritual Purpose. #ShopGenaraDenis
I use my dry brush too, but around once a week, and find that it makes a difference in the overall appearance of my skin.
Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
In Ibiza you looked amazing, in these photos you are stunning <3
What does apple cider vinegar do in this case? Loved your photos
You have an incredible body Chriselle!! These photos of you are so intimate, empowering and feminine.
I think that we all have stretch marks for this or that reason… Few that I have remind me of the most beautiful
moments in my life – my pregnancy with my daughter.
https://lartoffashion.com/visit-croatia-d-resort-sibenik/
I got a ton on stretch mark on the inside of my thighs from weight gain and another on my belly after two quite close pregnancies. I didnt really get them until the kast two weeks og the pregnancies when the babies “dropped”. When my youngest turnes one, I tried dermarolling on the stretch marks on my belly, hip/buttom and inner thighs. It worked wonders on the ones on my velly, visible improvements just after a few weeks of home treatment. For the hips and thigh, just slightly, I guess they are older. So the sooner you treat them the more effective it is! However, I am not ashamed of them, it’s just nice to get smoother looking skin😊
What kind of dermaroller do you use? And where did you get it? Thanks
Great tips and tricks! Great pics too. Embracing and loving your body is super important. 🙂
http://cmgensjenblog.blogspot.com
Those photos of you are simply stunning!
I agree, we should celebrate those marks – they are part of our story, but no woman LOVES them 😉
K A T E L A T E L Y //
http://www.katelately.co/the-truth-about-starting-a-company/
Wow wow wow! These shots are so beautiful! I can’t! And love that you’re addressing a typically taboo topic.
xx, mel
http://melinspired.com
Also Cocoa Butter works for stretch marks and Aloe Vera-the plant not the store bought kind. Most importantly, Time heals all.
Great post for that booty tho… lol
-Lena
L.E.N.A | Revealed
You’re so beautiful in and out! Love your blog <3
https://www.myblackcloset.com/
I oove these tips on stretch marks!
xx
https://www.closettostreet.com/
Simply a beautiful post … essential help for all the women that we are! 🙂
🌸🍃LA BIJOUX BELLA 🌸🍃| By Mia | A Creative Lifestyle Blog
[…] Let’s talk stretch marks: we’ve all got ‘em. from The Chriselle Factorhttps://thechrisellefactor.com/2017/08/lets-talk-stretch-marks/ […]