Stretch marks - Embrace it. Shower with love & pampering

“The words we speak to each other should leave stretch marks, not bruises. Love is always picky about what it says” ~ Bob Goff

We came across this small piece of wisdom, and found that it completely resonates with our view on stretch marks! Yes, they do trouble us, sometimes frustrate all of us – but then again, we need to accept them. Estimates say over 70% adolescent females & 40% adolescent males have to deal with stretch marks (and there we thought only it is a concern battled only by women who are pregnant!)

Now the million-dollar question – Can I get rid of stretch marks completely? Well, the answer is a simple “NO”, but the silver lining is this that “YES” you can fade them and keep them at bay with a few preventative & curative lifestyle and skin-care regimes. More of that further in this piece.

Advisory from Vilasa - We advise guests not to fall for the hype around modern day skin-care products that claim to “remove stretch marks”. Topically applied skin care products cannot repair snapped elastin (skin) fibers, and neither have preventative measures like massages or dermal rollers any research backing them for stretch mark removal. Yes, lasers and peels have proven somewhat effective in recent times, but lets still be realistic in our expectations. Do give us a shout if you find a Vilasa product that commits removal of stretch marks, your next Vilasa order comes free with our apologies & compliments.

Why do stretch marks occur? Stretch marks are scars on the body that form when our skin expands or shrinks rapidly. Collagen and elastin, which sustain our skin, break down or rupture due to this sudden shift. The visible curled ends of stretch marks beneath the skin are actually bands of elastin (commonly known as the rubber bands for the skin). Additionally, stretch marks are scars that have formed from the inside out, rather than scarring that occurs when skin is externally wounded (like due to injury, acne, scratches etc)

How do / When can stretch marks occur?

Typically occur during –

• Puberty-related growth spurts
• Pregnancy induced stretch marks
• Sudden weight gain or loss
• Lifting weight when your muscles are growing quickly
• Prolonged usage of corticosteroids creams and lotions

A medical condition that leads to weight fluctuations, including PCOD

A bit more about Stretch Marks during Pregnancy

Research has shown that 90% of pregnant women do have to deal with stretch marks. The extent of stretch marks follows no rule or formula, and is very individual dependent, and vary on your genetics & family history to a large extent. However, there are a few techniques to adopt during pregnancy and post-delivery that can help you manage stretch marks better –

• During Pregnancy we borrow from the wisdom in our Ayurvedic texts.
  • Apply sesame oil 10 min prior to bath on prone areas i.e. Lower abdomen, sides of abdomen, buttocks, thighs and breasts
  • The Sesame Oil can also be combined with Almond Oil, Turmeric Powder
  • Keep your skin overall hydrated
  • Watch your weight – gain a healthy amount, and void sudden spurts of growth
  • Maintain an active lifestyle in consultation with your gynecologist
• Post Delivery we keep it simple
  • Stay happy
  • Catchup on sleep whenever possible
  • Use your hydrating cream / moisturizer or oil as suitable
  • Keep a watch on what goes in – maintain food nutrition &drink adequate water
  • Have a rhythm in your daily routine – to maintain an active lifestyle (best if you can exercise)

What Does Vilasa offer?

Here are some of the top products from by Vilasa that are 100% safe, have no nasty chemicals, and are cruelty-free. These products that range from being 100% natural, to Ayurveda inspired and combined in the best scientific formulations; when added in your skincare regime help you  embrace healthy ageing and minimize or fade stretch marks through regular usage.

Apricot oil

Apricot oil is high in antioxidants, including Vitamin A and Vitamin E, both important for skincare. Apricot oil revives the damaged skin and brings back the natural glow by hydrating and smoothening the skin surface.

A light, nourishing oil that absorbs your skin and revitalizes you from the inside out, revealing a supple, young appearance. It is best suited for all skin types but is particularly effective for dry to normal skin. Your skin tone is smoothened with apricot oil, and pigmentation is reduced. The skin is left moisturized, supple, and shining. This oil is a natural emollient that makes skin feel softer.

Kashmir Body Butter

It's an Ayurveda-inspired mix of time-tested ingredients, including Manjistha Oil (with anti-acne, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties and finds extensive mention in Ayurvedic science as a multi-tasker to reduce acne & signs of ageing ), Almond Oil (highly rich in Vitamin A and E), and Aloe-era Oil (highly rich in antioxidants, Vitamin A and C). These ingredients make it best suitable for normal to dry skin types. They can be used on the face and body. Kashmir Body Butter moisturizes the skin for deep hydration and a radiant appearance. It helps to lighten scars, discolouration and hyperpigmentation. It works as a cleanser to keep acne at bay while repairing UV damage by the sun.

Mridu Body Butter

Kokum butter is a powerful moisturizer, while cold-pressed Jojoba Oil is rich in Vitamin A and B plus packed with powerful antioxidants. It is formulated with ECOCERT Certified Natural Betaine – a gentle hydration & balancing ingredient that is 100% plant derived. It effectively seeps in to fight wrinkles and flaky skin; to improve skin texture This body butter cream combines the finest of nature and bioengineering with ECOCERT & Certified Organic ingredients. This powerfully nourishing treatment penetrates deep into the skin to moisturize and remove dullness, revealing glowing, supple skin. It is suitable for use on the body on all skin types.

Some concluding words of wisdom, if we may?

Stretch marks are common than not. Yes, they might seem unpleasant at times; but remember they are reminder to you to always take good care of yourself in an all-rounded manner.  Embrace yourself, bring the spa experience home, indulge in some me-time, and keep a check on your stretch-marks with Vilasa’s Apricot Oil, Kashmir Body Butter, Mridu Body Butter & Balancing Body Lotion

In case you want to read more:

Management of stretch marks - A paper by NCBI

Prevention and therapy for stretch marks - A paper by NCBI

Professional research paper of SD (scientific name for stretch marks)