You can get scars from any number of things: burns, cuts and even acne. While you may not think of them as the same as a scar from a burn, stretch marks are just another type of scar. Stretch marks often result from your skin stretching during pregnancy, changes in weight or even a teenager’s growth spurt. Any type of scar is difficult to completely get rid of, but you can reduce scaring and stretch marks with some oils.
Neroli
Neroli oil, originally processed in Italy, comes from the orange tree’s flowers. Patricia Davis writes in her book, “Aromatherapy: An A-Z,” that neroli oil is both thick and has a strong but pleasant aroma. Davis notes neroli stimulates your skin cells to regenerate, which helps get rid of stretch marks and other types of scars. Some people with sensitive skin can get rashes or irritation from using certain oils; neroli generally is safe on even the most delicate skin. If you find stretch marks starting to form during pregnancy, neroli is safe to use and you can help reduce the stretch marks you have and prevent more from developing.
Mandarin
Mandarin oil comes from the fruit that you more likely know as a tangerine. With a history dating back thousands of years to traditional Chinese medicine, modern aromatherapists still use mandarin oil to help with stretch marks and scars. Mandarin does not irritate your skin and unlike most citrus oils, it does not increase your susceptibility to sunburns when applied to your skin. Davis says pregnant women can also use mandarin oil safely.
Lavender
Davis explains that lavender has the most versatile uses of any essential oil and aromatherapists utilize lavender for many different applications, including on stretch marks and scars. Native to the Mediterranean, people have used lavender therapeutically for thousands of years. Aromatherapist and author Julie Lawless writes in her book, “The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils,” that lavender oil can help reduce scars because it promotes skin cell activity and regeneration.
Oil Blends
All these oils can work individually but you will see better results on your stretch marks and scars by making some oil blends. Davis says that she treats stretch marks with an oil blend containing 1 drop lavender, 1 drop mandarin and 1 drop neroli with 10 mm almond oil and 2 mm wheatgerm oil.
