The medical term for stretch marks is “œstriae atrophica”which Tabor’s Medical Dictionary describes as “fine pinkish-white or grey lines, usually 14 cm in length, seen in parts of the body where skin has been stretched. Commonly seen on thighs, abdomen, and breasts of women who are or have been pregnant, in persons whose skin has been stretch by obesity, tumor, or dropsy (swelling); or in persons who have taken [steroids] for a prolonged period.” This is different from cellulite, which is a dimpling of the skin caused by a thin upper layer of the skin with large, irregular fat cells below. Stretch marks are, however, somewhat related to cellulite in that women are much more susceptible than men due to skin anatomy. Women have more subcutaneous fat, which has less of a cohesive cellular structure, and also tend to have thinner top layer of skin which makes the superficial skin more prone to damage of all kinds.
Both the top layer of skin and the underlying fatty layer are constructed mostly of fats. Besides eating “good” fats to preserve skin integrity, use plenty of Vitamin C. Good old Vitamin C is the primary nutrient in connective tissue repair. Skin is the largest and thinnest connective tissue “organ” of the body, and uses a high percentage of the available Vitamin C for upkeep and repair. Vitamin C is very safe in doses high enough to cause loose stools; at that point you’re wasting nutrients, so cut back to a dose that normalizes the stool. This is called taking Vitamin C “to bowel tolerance.” Fats would be ideally from fresh baked, broiled or steamed fish, or plant sources such as olive, flax and safflower. Avoid margarine, fatty meats including “lunch meats” and Canola oil. Avoid mass-produced baked goods, which tend to use poor quality fats (like Crisco or margarine).
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
THIOSINAMINUM 30-A specific remedy. It has the power to dissolve . Also apply externally Thiosinaminum ointment
SILICEA 3X- Delicate, pale waxy skin. Apply Silicea glycerol externally
CALCAREA FLOUR 6X- Marked whiteness of skin. Scar tissue, chaps and cracks
BERBERIS AQUIFOLIUM Q-Dry, rough, scaly skin. Also apply Berberis aquifolium with Castor oil externally
CALENDULA OFF 30-A specific remedy. Apply Calendula with Castor oil externally