How to Use Castor Oil for Stretch Marks

There is a broad misconception that stretch marks are associated only with pregnant women. But no, stretch marks can appear as part of many factors like aging, obesity and may also occur because of the rapid development of puberty in males and females.

Well, we have known castor oil as a good stimulant for hair growth and eyelashes. Though we are already well aware of many of its health benefits, the ability to get rid of stretch marks is a truly fascinating thing. The presence of a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid is what makes them a completely different oil. It makes them capable enough to moisturize and lubricate the skin, thereby keeping them fresh. They are also found to be effective in raising the level of skin discoloration and other age-related issues. And finally, it helps to get rid of stretch marks on the skin.

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Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are those layers of damages that are often visible as silver-colored marks on the skin. And in extreme cases, these stretch marks may appear deeper than usual and will become more greenish. Parts of the body with more fat content are more prone to get stretch marks, like, for example, thighs, abdomen, armpits, etc. It is assumed that some times, the presence of excessive stretch marks can lead to a situation where the skin loses its ability to elasticity.

There are many kinds of remedial treatments to get rid of stretch marks. Some of them include artificial pharmaceutical products, while some are straight from nature.

And one such natural remedial measure is our castor oil.

Did you know? Genetics play a large role in whether people develop stretch marks.

How To Use Castor Oil For Stretch Marks

Here we will discuss how to use castor oil for removing stretch marks effectively.

A small bottle of pure castor oil is all we need to start the procedure. Since the oil is thick, it is better to add a bit of almond oil. It will improve the moisturizing and skin smoothing effects of castor oil. Mixing them with other carrier oils will raise their fragrance and effectiveness.

Massage the area of stretch marks with castor oil in such a way that the oil will get absorbed properly.
Apply a thin cotton cloth to wrap the area for about 15-20 minutes to help the oil penetrate deep into the skin.
For quick results, it is advised to use a heating pad for heating the area.
Continue this process repeatedly on a routine basis.

You can also use a mixture of coconut oil and castor oil for this purpose because coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer for the skin.

Side Effects of Castor Oil

Although the benefits of castor oil will outnumber their side effects, they must be taken into account as it can lead to tough situations. Though many of the research departments claim castor oil to be a harmless oil, sometimes castor oil can lead to allergic reactions on the skin. To counter such situations, it’s always good to test them by applying a little quantity of oil on the skin. Makes sure you consult an expert if you found anything abnormal while using it.

As with any oils, pregnant women are advised to consult a doctor before consuming castor oil; since, should any problems occur, that might adversely affect both mother and child.

How To Choose A Castor Oil

More often than not, people confused while choosing castor oil for skincare treatments. Castor oil comes in two forms – natural castor oil and black castor oil. Both have their set of positives and negatives.

Natural Castor Oil

Natural castor oil comes in pale yellow color, especially when cold-pressed. During cold press procedure, castor beans are squeezed at very high pressure to extract oil from seeds. As the iodine content increases, the intensity of its color will also improve. Higher the purity of castor oil, the lighter the color will be. Other than cold pressing, some chemical solvents are also used for extracting oil. This is less time consuming compared to cold pressing.

Black Castor Oil

Black castor oil is widely considered as pure oil, and its black color is assumed to be a result of less processing. But in reality, this black color is due to the presence of impurities in the form of ash contents. Black castor beans are roasted to a great extent, which leaves ash contents. The presence of ash is considered as an impurity because it is just an addition to oil rather than just pure oil.

For skincare treatments, natural castor oil is the most preferred choice. With natural castor oil, the presence of impurities will be little compared to black castor oil.

3 Popular Castor Oils, According to Reviews and Ratings:

Do’s and Don’ts

You need to follow some tricks on a routine basis to enjoy the maximum benefits of castor oil. Some points to remember about castor oil and stretch marks are below:

Once you find stretch marks on the skin, it is better to start the treatment as early as possible. Because leaving them untreated may let them penetrate deep into the skin.
Drink plenty of water as possible, as this can keep the skin in hydrated mode, thereby improving skin elasticity.
Better to follow a well-balanced and nutritious diet with rich content of vitamin C as to a great extent, they can prevent stretch marks.
Follow castor oil tips on a routine basis to keep the skin fresh and clean. Continuing this process will eventually show positive results.
Make sure you don’t touch or scratch areas where stretch marks are present. Scratching causes small tears in your skin.

Conclusion

Castor oil has so many unique properties that make them an essential ingredient for many cosmetic products primarily related to skin care. The presence of chemical components and high-fat content makes them an excellent skin moisturizing product.

How was your experience using castor oil? Or do you know any natural oil that is more effective than castor oil in dealing with stretch marks? Then do let us know, we would love to hear from you.

How to Use Castor Oil for Stretch Marks – Do’s and Don’ts