I, like a lot of people in college, gained a bit of weight during my freshman year. Honestly, I would’ve been able to deal with it, if it hadn’t been for the bright red stretch marks I got on my tummy, thighs, and butt! I looked everywhere for possible ways to get rid of my scars, and Vaseline might be one of them.
Vaseline, the most popular brand of petroleum jelly, can aid in reducing the look of stretch marks due to their ingredient makeup and your method of application! I’ll break down that and more in this article so you can gain some of the insight I wish I had when I was 18. Let’s go!
Why Is Vaseline Good At Helping Stretch Marks?
Vaseline is known as a “healing balm”, and has been used for more than 100 years to speed up the healing process for dry, injured, or burned skin. Stretch marks, which are caused by tears in the dermis, definitely count as an injury in some capacity! That’s why they look angry and irritated when they first occur.
In spite of their creamy feel, Vaseline (and other petroleum jellies) are actually occlusive products, meaning they don’t so much moisturize your skin as much as they trap moisture in your skin. That’s the reason why it feels like Vaseline never truly absorbs into your skin.
The main ingredients that make Vaseline occlusive are mineral oil and petroleum. These two ingredients work to keep the skin moist by forming a thin layer of oil on the skin that keeps moisture in. This allows the skin to stay hydrated for much longer than with a traditional lotion or moisturizer.
And this, my friends, is where the magic happens: moisturized skin is less likely to have stretch marks. Using Vaseline to keep the skin elastic is your secret weapon against stretch marks, old and new.
Vaseline itself has directed its audience to use its product to speed up the skin cell renewal process, keeping stretch marks from leaving too noticeable a scar.
How To Use Vaseline To Remove Stretch Marks?
The biggest advice I have to give? Don’t use Vaseline on dry skin.
As an occlusive, petroleum jelly can prevent water loss by acting as a “seal” on your skin– meaning it needs moisture to lock in for it to effectively work. Remember when I mentioned the layer of oil that hydration can’t escape from? It also does a knock-out job of letting moisture in too. Putting it on dry skin means your skin will only dry out further.
With that in mind, I would highly recommend using Vaseline on your stretch marks after you shower when your skin is damp (not dripping). This will keep your skin hydrated and allow it to produce elastin- which keeps stretch marks at bay. After a shower is great, just make sure you’ve towel dried a bit beforehand.
Massage It In
Another important tip I have is to take your time massaging the product into the skin. Making sure your skin has taken in the product makes sure that it has reached the layers of your dermis that are hurt. Plus, it also keeps the jelly from sticking to your clothes, or feeling too goopy on your skin.
Massaging also boosts circulation in the area, willing your skin to produce more elastin and collagen, both of which are necessary for preventing stretch marks. Don’t be afraid to take your time, even dedicating 5 minutes to massaging the scars can make a huge difference!
Types Of Vaseline To Use
There are so many incredible products that Vaseline carries that can effectively prevent stretch marks. Here are some that I personally recommend:
Classic Healing Jelly
This formula is one that almost everyone is familiar with. It’s clinically proven to help damaged skin, is super affordable, and can be bought in bulk. I would recommend this version for anyone and everyone.
Cocoa Butter Vaseline
I absolutely love this effective mixture of petroleum jelly and cocoa butter, especially for stretch marks!
Petroleum jelly helps lock in hydration and moisture, while cocoa butter deeply penetrates the skin for an even more noticeable nourishing effect.
Cocoa butter is beloved by expectant mothers to nourish their skin during pregnancy, so mixing the two makes it a no-brainer solution for stretch mark prevention! I would recommend this to expectant mothers, or those who want their skin to smell a little sweeter post-massage.
Vaseline All-Over Body Balm Jelly Stick
This product is a must-have for stretch-mark prevention, especially if you get them in places where putting traditional vaseline would be uncomfortable: your underarms, inner thighs, etc.
You get a little extra reach with its tube-like design, and it keeps you from touching the product itself. This can be extra helpful if you’re not a fan of the texture of traditional Vaseline.
This jelly stick is mess-free, full of vitamins, like Vitamin E (known for its skin-regenerating properties), and can be bought anywhere for easy reapplication throughout the day. It’s also travel-friendly, so you can pack it on the go.
This was my pick during college, and I loved it so much that I still use it today- so I have full confidence that you’ll love it too!
How Long Does It Take for Vaseline to Get Rid Of Stretch Marks?
This depends on how quickly you were able to treat them!
If you catch your stretch marks while they’re still fresh (you’ll be able to tell they’re new because they’ll be bright red or purple, and they may be a bit itchy), it’s likely you’ll be able to reduce their look significantly before the month is up. Of course, this is based on other techniques, so it may take longer or shorter for you!
For those whose stretch marks have gone silvery-white, it will likely take longer for your skin to heal enough to fade your scars. It’s important to be diligent and patient; change doesn’t happen overnight (it may even take a couple of months!). And always remember that, whether you have scars or not, your skin is beautiful regardless!
