For several years, cocoa butter has become a household name mainly because of its effect on stretch marks. It has become a very attractive choice for many individuals suffering from stretch marks. For one, it does not cost as much as certain methods like surgery, and secondly, it is natural and therefore generally safe to use. Our skin is definitely flexible and elastic in its nature, however, we can only stretch it so far until it tears and breaks down. Once this happens, scarring occurs and this is when stretch marks become visible. So is it true that cocoa butter works? Let’s find out.
Cocoa butter was once praised unanimously for its ability to treat stretch marks effectively. Cocoa butter has been known to be helpful because it is able to absorb well in the top layer of the skin up to the second layer, or dermis. The ingredient has also been known to specifically treat discoloration caused by stretch marks. Stretch marks typically appear in either deep red, purplish red, pink or white. Sometimes it is actually the color that makes people conscious about the appearance of stretch marks, as it can really stand out. Cocoa butter has been known to help in that area.
What is cocoa butter exactly? Cocoa butter is basically a natural and edible vegetable fat, which derives from the cacao bean. It is typically extracted for a variety of uses, including the creation of toiletries. One of the features people have liked about cocoa butter is the fact that it can stay solid at room temperature, but melts wonderfully when applied to stretch marks. Cocoa butter does contain a natural antioxidant, which means it can help repair damaged skin cells and fight against free radicals that cause premature aging. Many people create cocoa butter mixtures in their own kitchen and apply the mixture directly on their skin to get rid of stretch marks. Mixtures may consist of cocoa butter, soya margarine and olive oil.
But is all this talk true? Cocoa butter has received equal skepticism recently. Recent studies have shown that cocoa butter may not be as effective at all. What’s surprising though is that people have been using this home remedy almost as if it’s an old wives tale-quite a long time. In a study, 45 percent of women who were administered with cocoa buttered developed stretch marks compared with 49 percent of women who were administered the placebo lotion. The percentage is a bit lower in the group administered with cocoa butter, but scientists do not consider this noteworthy. Findings simply report that there’s not much disparity between the groups in the extent of their stretch marks. However, even with these results from the study, scientists do say that more research needs to be done to confirm their findings.
Despite recent findings on the effectiveness of cocoa butter, several medical specialists and midwives continue to suggest its use on stretch marks. Perhaps this is due to the varied situations regarding stretch marks. Not everyone is made the same. In fact, many experts agree that the effectiveness of any stretch mark product will depend on genetics, individual skin type and severity of the skin condition present.
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