Stretchmarks - Prevention is Better Than Cure              

The best time to treat stretchmarks is before they happen -
this is definitely a situation where prevention is better than cure.

These thin red streaks that can form on the abdomen, thighs,
breasts, hips, buttocks and on the tops of your arms are a
form of scarring. They are due to a weakening or breakdown
of the underlying fibres in the skin.

Once these fibres have been overstretched they will not go
back to normal even when your size does, but the marks will
fade from red to silver.

From the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy you should massage a small amount of anti-stretchmark oil or anti-
stretchmark cream gently over the hips, stomach, thighs 
and breasts, paying attention to any area that feels 
particularly taught. This can also help to relieve the
tightness and itching that comes with rapid weight gain.

The following recipes are recommended for daily massage or
a good quality bought oil blend or cream can be used.

Anti-stretchmark oil (recipe taken from Aromatherapy and 
massage for mother and baby by Allison England)

To 80 ml (4 tbs) of almond oil and 20 ml (1 tbs) of avocado
oil, add:
7 drops of Lavender and 5 drops of Neroli oil
or
7 drops of Lavender and 5 drops of Mandarin or Tangerine oil
or
7 drops of Mandarin or Tangerine and 5 drops of Neroli oil.

Anti-stretchmark cream (recipe taken from Aromatherapy A-Z by Patricia Davis)

50 grams infused Calendula oil
35 grams coco butter
10 grams beeswax
45 grams flower hydrolat (flower-water)
10 drops Mandarin oil
15 drops Neroli oil

Method:
Weigh all ingredients accurately. (Shred beeswax with a 
very sharp knife before weighing.) Put the Mandarin and
Neroli oils in a bowl which should be either stainless steel
or Pyrex, and add the beeswax. Put the flower-water in
another bowl and stand both bowls in a large shallow pan of
water over a gentle heat. Stir the bowl containing the oils
and beeswax until all the ingredients are melted, then
remove from heat.

Start adding the flower-water to the oil mixture, a drop or
two at a time while beating with a rotary whisk. Continue
to add the flower-water very gradually, beating all the 
time, as if making a mayonnaise.

When all the flower-water has been absorbed into the oil/wax
mixture, stop beating at once. If using an electric mixer,
set it on the lowest speed, as over-beating can make the
cream separate.

Finally, stir in the essential oil and put into a jar or 
jars. Leave in a cold place or fridge until set.

These amounts make a relatively small amount of cream. Once
you have mastered the technique, you can double or treble
the quantities to make larger batches. The creams will keep
for quite a long time, as the essential oils act as natural
preservatives but if making large batches, keep in the 
fridge until needed and then dispense small amounts into 
individual jars.

After the birth of your baby, carry on using the oil or 
cream until your weight and figure get back to normal as,
surprisingly, stretchmarks can also occur when weight is 
decreasing.

Chrisoulla Nicolaou 
Copyright © 2001 all rights reserved.

If you would like to order some essential oils so that you
can try out some of the above tips, please visit:
Kalyx.com Complete Aromatherapy Oils & Supplies