Stretch marks are harmless but difficult to eliminate and can cause aesthetic discomfort. Thanks to its rich composition, sesame oil has numerous beneficial properties for skin flexibility. Discover in this article if sesame oil can combat stretch marks.
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Sesame oil to reduce stretch marks?
Summary
- Does sesame oil help combat the appearance of stretch marks?
- How to use sesame oil to combat stretch marks?
- Sources
Published July 4, 2024,
updated on October 4, 2024,
by
Marie, Scientific Editor
—
6 min read
Does sesame oil help combat the appearance of stretch marks?
Stretch marks are micro-lesions that appear on the skin and can resemble scars. They typically manifest in two phases: an inflammatory phase and a mature phase. During the inflammatory phase, the skin exhibits a reddish-purple appearance. At this stage, the stretch marks are still immature and can potentially disappear. During the mature phase, the stretch marks gradually turn white and become permanent. Their occurrence is due to changes in the structure of the dermis caused by a rupture of collagen fibers. Significant weight gain or loss, or hormonal fluctuations, are usually the culprits.
Used for several millennia, the sesame oil is known for its multiple benefits. Its rich composition makes it a highly sought-after ingredient in cosmetic formulations for skin and hair. Indeed, the high fatty acid content of the sesame oil gives it healing, soothing, moisturizing, softening, and antioxidant properties. Its effect on stretch marks has also been recently evaluated in a study by KAMRANI. For 20 weeks, a hundred women in their first pregnancy divided into two equal groups applied sesame oil or a placebo daily. The results of this study, presented in the table below, seem to indicate that this vegetable oil can effectively prevent stretch marks.
| Criteria | "Sesame Oil" Group | "Placebo" Group |
|---|---|---|
| No Stretch Marks | 40/48 | 9/50 |
| Moderate Stretch Marks | 8/48 | 11/50 |
| Severe Stretch Marks | 0/48 | 30/50 |
Évaluation de l'effet préventif de l'huile de sésame sur les vergetures.
Source : KAMRANI A. & al. Sesame, sweet almond & sesame and sweet almond oil for the prevention of striae in primiparous females: A triple-blind randomized controlled trial. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal (2017).
If the sesame oil appears to be effective in combating stretch marks, it's because it possesses the following properties:
Sesame oil has healing properties.
Sesame oil has a noteworthy healing potential, as demonstrated in various clinical studies. It can indeed stimulate the epithelialization of wounds and promote neovascularization. Moreover, the fatty acids it contains play a crucial role in cellular regeneration and in increasing vascular permeability, which enhances blood supply and facilitates the healing process. Therefore, it can be inferred that the various healing effects of sesame oil allow it to act on purple stretch marks.
Sesame oil is moisturizing and enhances skin flexibility.
The topical application ofsesame oil provides a significant improvement in skin hydration. This vegetable oil is indeed capable of strengthening the hydrolipidic film present on the skin's surface due to the oleic acid it contains. This compound is also found in sebum, one of the constituents of the hydrolipidic film. Thus, sesame vegetable oil helps protect the integrity of the skin barrier and reduce water loss. The skin then becomes more hydrated and supple. It is likely that this may help reduce the risk of stretch marks and their appearance.
Sesame oil promotes skin elasticity.
Sesame oil also contains linoleic acid. This fatty acid is involved in the synthesis of a family of ceramides, the acylceramides. These compounds are part of the lipids of the epidermis and help to strengthen the cohesion of the stratum corneum by acting as an intercellular cement. The skin thus becomes more resistant to tension and stretching. It recovers more easily from deformation and gains in elasticity, a useful property for combating stretch marks.
Sesame oil possesses antioxidant activity.
Sesame oil is a significant source of antioxidants such as vitamin E. This molecule protects the skin from damage caused by free radicals by neutralizing them through an electron donation. Furthermore, a study has shown that sesamin, a lignan found in sesame oil, has substantial antioxidant activity and is capable of enhancing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), which are antioxidant enzymes. Thus, sesame oil helps combat oxidative stress, providing protection to collagen fibers. In doing so, it reduces the risk of rupture, one of the causes of stretch marks' appearance.
How to use sesame oil to combat stretch marks?
To prevent the onset of stretch marks, one can use pure sesame oil or diluted within a blend containing other nourishing vegetable oils. The best way to apply it is to take a small amount of oil and gently massage the risk areas (breasts, buttocks, thighs, stomach, etc...) by performing circular movements to allow the oil to penetrate more quickly. These actions can help reduce the appearance of still purplish stretch marks and prevent the emergence of new ones.
While sesame oil can potentially help prevent the onset of stretch marks and reduce the appearance of those in the inflammatory phase, it has no effect on mature stretch marks.
Sources
KAMRANI A. & al. Sesame, Sweet Almond & Sesame and Sweet Almond Oil for the Prevention of Stretch Marks in First-Time Mothers: A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal (2017).
JAVDANI A. & al. The healing effect of sesame oil, camphor, and honey on second-degree burn wounds in rats. World Journal of Plastic Surgery (2018).
MENG Q. & al. Sesame (Sesamum indicumL.): A comprehensive review of nutritional value, phytochemical composition, health benefits, development of food, and industrial applications. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute Journal (2022).
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