HELLO dear readers I do hope you had a beautiful week.
It’s been raining in Lusaka and it’s safe to say that many of us probably didn’t expect it to rain this much in April but I guess these are the effects of Climate Change.
Last week I started a two-part series on stretch marks and how to diminish their appearance because they cannot be cured.
If you missed it, head over to my blog divadiarys.blogspot.com page and read up on it.
This week Chrissy Teigen supermodel and wife to John Legend posted a picture on instagram of her thighs and legs showing her stretch marks.
Basically to prove that models are women and have flaws which are often airbrushed away to reveal smoother images in pictures.
Lets continue from where we left off last week.
Many natural haired women to aid the growth of hair use Castor Oil, other people use it to heal skin conditions such as acne, wrinkles, uneven marks and moles.
To reduce the appearance of stretch marks, apply castor oil directly on your stretch marks and massage in a circular motion for about ten to fifteen minutes then wrap the area with a clean, thin cotton wool after which you apply heat using a heating pad or hot water bottle.
Keep this on for thirty minutes every day for about a month.
Alternatively but rather less effectively, warm the castor oil (by steeping its bottle or container in hot water) then massage onto your skin for fifteen minutes daily.
I have a sister Tracy who has been using cocoa butter lotion for as long as I can remember and she has flawless skin.
Cocoa butter is famous for its anti-wrinkling and anti-aging properties. It helps in enhancing the blood circulation, which reduces stretch marks.
Apply cocoa butter on your stretch marks about twice or thrice a day and repeat the process, note that it will take about two months before you see any real change.
If you are able to find the following ingredient then here is an alternative method you can try according to homeremedyshop.com;
“Mix half cup of cocoa butter with one tablespoon of wheat germ oil, one teaspoon of tea kernel oil, two teaspoons of grated beeswax, and vitamin E oil. Heat the mix until the beeswax melts. Apply it on the stretch marks twice or thrice a day. The mixture can be stored in a sealed box in the refrigerator.”
In West Africa many women use Shea butter in much the same way as cocoa butter for the skin.
It is also used in hair and I can attest to its great benefits in hair use, I have a Ugandan friend who swears by shea butters stretch mark reducing properties so perhaps you can try it too.
Zed Hair have a line of genuine shea butter which you can find in most chemists around Lusaka and I believe on the Copperbelt as well or just check online.
Another remedy that is touted by many women as been effective is egg whites because they are rich in proteins and amino acids.
Wash the affected area and apply a thick layer of egg whites with a brush or loafer then after it dries completely rinse it off with cold water then moisturise with olive oil every day.
Lavender oil mixed with almond oil and chamomile oil is effective when stirred ]together and applied on the stretch marks.
Tea Tree Oil is a staple for many natural haired people and it should be in your home at all times because of its anti-viral, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Just massage it onto your stretch marks for about ten minutes daily, twice if you can.
Lemons are extremely rich in citric acid hence their effectiveness in reducing stretch marks just  add 1 or 2 drops of glycerine in one lemons squeezed juice and rub on stretch marks, twice daily.
Take vitamin supplements such as Vitamin E and Vitamin K, the latter is found in green vegetables such as cabbage, spring onions and pickled cucumbers, its highly effective for preventing scars and healing the dermis.
Exercise is very vital and homeremedyshop.com advices the following exercises to tone  underlying muscles and reduce the appearance of
stretch marks.
For Stretch Marks on Stomach: Lie down flat on your back, bend your knees keeping the feet flat on the floor, your hands on the sides of
your head then lift your upper body off the floor, contracting your abdomen.
For Stretch Marks on Thighs: Sit straight on the chair, put your hands down to your sides, holding the chair, swing your legs in up and down
motion.
For stretch marks on hips and buttocks: Lie down flat on your back,relax for a few minutes, lift one leg creating a 90 degree angle.
Lift it until you feel a pull on your buttocks. Try the same on the other leg. Slowly, increase your pace and strain on the hips,
buttocks, and thighs.
For Stretch Marks on Bottom: You are required to lie down facing the floor. Put your arms on the side. Lift your right leg up and then down. Repeat the same with left leg. Raise your leg at least 3-6 inches off the floor.
That’s it for this week, read up more on my blog divadiarys.blogspot.com, follow me on twitter @Arushapot and like my page on facebook Nancy Handabile, you can also send queries to divadiarys@gmail.com.
Stay beautifully healthy this week.