During pregnancy, women go through a wide range of changes. Most of these changes are hormonal and internal but there are usually some observable changes too. Some of these physical changes are drastic and affect moms both emotionally and psychologically. Among these changes is the development of stretch marks.
What are Striae gravidarum ?
Striae gravidarum (SG) otherwise known as stretch marks are the kind that develop specifically during pregnancy. They usually occur during the second and third trimester and often develop on the belly and breast and to a lesser extend on the hip, thigh and buttock. SG is not a life threatening event but can be very disfiguring and this can cause both psychological and emotional distress in mothers. Initially when SG develop, they are pink but with time they mature to white crinkly streaks that are permanent.
Why do stretch marks develop during pregnancy?
About 90% of all pregnant women develop stretch marks at some point during their pregnancy. The reason why SG develops is very unclear; some speculate that it could be due to hormonal changes in the mother as their body adapts to the baby growing in them. Others think it could be a result of the weight gained during pregnancy and the fact that the belly and breast increase in size during this period.
There has not been a lot of studies specifically designed to study the development and cause of SG. Many women who develop SG continue to find ways to get rid of it. A lot of the products advertised today do very little or nothing to alleviate this situation. For example, cocoa butter or olive oil are not effective for preventing or reducing the severity of SG.
The important question now is , What can reduce the severity of SG or prevent it from happening in the first place? Before we answer this question, lets talk about the risk factor for the development of SG and how SG develops.
Risk factors for developing stretch marks during pregnancy
Factors before pregnancy
- Personal history of striae (stretch marks)
- Family history of striae
- personal history of breast or thigh striae
- body mass index greater than 26
- Alcohol intake
- light skin color
Factors during pregnancy
- Rapid weight gain
- Increase in body mass index (BMI) at delivery
- Decrease in serum vitamin C level and relaxin level
- Low water consumption
How do stretch marks form?
Even though SG are common much is not know about their pathogenesis. It is believed that stretch marks form when collagen is disrupted at the dermal level. Collagen is the main structural protein found in connective tissues; when it is disrupted the skin begin to loose its strength and elasticity. During pregnancy, increase in hormones such as glucocorticoids may hinder fibroblast production of collagen and elastin fibers that are very important in the repair of connective tissue. This means even when a stretch mark begins to form it cannot be repaired thus the damage continues to mature.
How do you prevent the development of new stretch marks and reduce the severity of old ones ?
You cannot change your genetic predisposition to developing stretch marks but you can adopt a lifestyle that will reduce chances of developing stretch marks. They include eating healthy, exercising, getting plenty of sleep and consuming alcohol in moderation. Once stretch marks develops, topical medicine combined with a healthy life style can help reduce it’s severity.
Topical prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy
Centella
Centella is a medicinal herb found in south Asia that has been studied for the treatment of SG. Creams containing centella maybe effective in treating or reducing the severity of SG. Trofolastin is a proprietary product that contains centalla. It is marketed as a stretch mark and scar reducer on Amazon.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is thought to increase tensile resistance to mechanical forces. It is also believed to stimulate fibroblast activity and collagen production to make skin fuller. Alphastria is a proprietary cream containing hyaluronic acid and is associated with reducing the severity of stretch marks. It is not sold on Amazon, it may be prescribe by doctors.
Other products
There are many other creams sold as anti- stretch mark creams. There are no studies supporting the claims made by these manufacturers but the most popular are;
- Body Merry Stretch Marks and Scars Cream
This product has 2668 customer reviews with an overall rating of 4 out of five.
- Effective Stretch Mark & Scar Fading Cream
This product has 168 customer reviews with an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5.
Stretch marks occur for different reasons and all stretch marks are not the same. Since people have different kinds of stretch marks at different levels of maturity, a cream that works for one person might not work for another person and vice versa. Once you find one that works for you, it is good to stick to it and not complicate it with other products.
I hope this post is helpful. Please leave a comment.
Very cool and in depth article. A close family of the friend had recently had a baby and she actually didn’t have any stretch marks. she contributed that to the use of coconut oil and cocoa lotion. I see that in some of the items you suggest that these ingredients are in many of them. quite interesting:) thanks for the awesome post!
Hi Carl,
Wow I wish I was like your family friend with no stretch marks. I could be confused for a zebra if anyone could see my marks. Cocoa lotion did no good for me at all. Stretch marks differ in etiology from person to person so I’m not surprised cocoa lotion worked for her and not me.
Thanks for contributing to this discussion.
Hi Denise, thanks for writing this post. This is a problem that has been around forever and I’m glad you’re providing solutions to help the problem. I totally understand why stretch marks come about on woman now. I know my wife has tried her fair share of products but none have helped her like we’d like during her pregnancies. I like how you bring up exercise and plenty of water can help out and our next pregnancy that is what we will focus on the most! 🙂
Hi Jonathan,
You’re welcome. Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll be happy to help or point you to the right direction. I
Hello, Denise,
You article “Why do stretch marks appear; is there any treatment for it?†is really helpful, thanks.
I just translated it for my daughter and she loved it.
changes are drastic and affect moms
Preventing stretch marks and trying to lessen old ones must be hard.
Do you know if those products can cause any type of allergies?
Cheers!
Hi Ciato,
To answer your question, I will say yes and no because it all depends on what who ever is using it is allergic to. People are allergic to a many things, the list is so long. These products have a long list of things in them so it is always good to read the packege insert before using. This way you can avoid using it if you find anything you might be allergic to.
I hope this answer was helpful.
I developed stretch marks during my pregnancy. As you say, it can have a psychological/emotional effect. The ones on my thighs and breasts aren’t nearly as prominent as the ones on my stomach. I’ve worn two-piece bathing suits. However, I’ve never worn a bikini that lets my midriff show. I just don’t have the confidence.
What’s done is done, as stretch marks are really scars. Sometimes scars fade to be virtually unnoticeable. Sometimes they don’t. And sometimes treatments, such as the ones you mentioned in your post can help diminish the effects. Whatever the case, I think it comes down with being comfortable with our bodies. Sometimes that’s requires acceptance.
I haven’t gotten there yet, even though my oldest is 23. However, I am finding other was to alleviate my hangups with stretch marks. I may not be keen on bikinis, but the cutaway styles allow me to show almost as much flesh, while hiding my troublesome spots.
Hi Renee,
Stretch marks are so annoying and as you say are like scars. Sometimes they fade on their own like many scars but a lot get worst and look really bad. I couldn’t argee with you more, it comes down to being comfortable with our bodies.
I loved your website. It was beautifully laid out, and had so much helpful information. I loved the video that was created by Dr. Amy Lee,
I did notice that your website is still using “admin” when referring to “you”. You can go into WordPress and change your user name from admin to your name. If you do not already have it, you should get a Gravatar. Doing those things will make your website much more personal, people will be able to relate to you better.
Over all I liked your website very much. I think you will have great success with it.
May God’s love and peace be with you.
Hi Cherree,
I happenned to have set up my gravatar account with my admin email, big mistake! Now I have to go to the comment to update from admin to my name. I just haven’t done it yet with the recent comments. I’ll switch my emails and make the other one primary that way it will show my name instead of admin. Thanks for letting me know.
Very interesting article. Organic products are a big deal these days. A lot of women don’t realize the chemicals that are in a lot of creams and lotions. Especially when you are putting them so close to their unborn babies.
I really appreciate you getting organic and natural product out there.
Hi Ben,
Thanks for the kind words. It is great when you acquire most of you nutrients from food, avoiding supplements as much as possible.
I used to be overweight when i was younger, and now have what I thought were perminent stretch marks. Perhaps I should try the treatments you listed at the bottom, would they help me?
I think also that exercise is key here, plenty of water will help the problem indeed!
Great layout of the site too, looks very professional!
Mark
Hi Mark,
You will have to try them and see if they work for you. Just remember that each person’s stretch Mark is different and one lotion will work for someone and not for another. Those that I mentioned have been shown to improve the appearance of stretch marks.
My wife went through a sort of paranoid hell when it came to stretch marks after our second son was born – she tried everything and was not happy with the situation. She finally got into a few natural remedies like natural white sugar (use the sugar to exfoliate your skin). She beleives that these natural remedies were much more effective overall!
Hi Chris,
Thanks for sharing this information. It is always good when you have a natural alternative. So basically she made a scrub out of natural white sugar that removed old skin faster and probably stimulated new growth! Great idea
Great! A lot of creams and lotions have masses of chemicals in them (weirdly I am allergic to clearasil hhaah). Babies can be especially so. I use a lot of Lush products, the natiural way is always the best.
Really appreciate your approach to beauty, natural and organic is always the way forward!
Hi Mark
I couldn’t agree with you more. Natural is best and usually safe when compared to all those chemical filled products out there.
mice article! In my opinion, stretch marks come from a great expansion, and reduction of body mass, asin pregnancy. I developed some stretch marks as a teen, when I lost a lot of weight. I went from160 lb, to 119lb, due to running every day. I gained more stretch marks when I started working out, and using muscle gain supplements I think the skin begins to split a bit when expanded quickly. Of course, I’m a man, but the marks looked the same.
Hi Sam,
Have you tried anything on your stretch marks and if so what did you find helpful? We learn every day and there are some products in the dark that could help a lot with this problem.
I’m going to try some of these treatments.
I still have stretchmarks on my hips from puberty. I thought they would fade as I entered adulthood but they didn’t, unfortunately. It’s been over 10 years now so I don’t think they’re gonna fade on their own.
My hips widened pretty quickly plus I was an early developer. I hate the way I can still see these ugly marks though. It ruins my self confidence. I hate the thought of going to the beach and wearing a bikini, for this reason alone.
Thanks so much for these suggestions!
Hi Hannah,
I can imagine how uncomfortable it will be to try a bikini and have all those marks stand out and make you self conscious. I have some bad ones on my thighs that are old and really hard to fade but I’m working on them. I’ll let you know if I learn something new.
Hi, I know I’m a guy and should get stretch marks. But I was searching because I’ve recently lost a lot of weight. And as a result have (I don’t really want to admit it) stretchmarks. So what I’m asking here is it possible for guys to use the same methods as you girls do stretchmarks? What do you have any info for us guys?
Hi there,
Nothing to be embarrassed about because guys totally get stretch marks. Yes you can use the same products. Try to stay hydrated too.
Thanks for writing
Hey Denise,
Great article. Though it’s written for women after pregnancy, I find it useful to me as I was looking to get rid of stretch marks due to bodybuilding. I have a lot of them under my biceps and the information you gave and the products you mentioned looks promising. One question however is that, is the product Trofolastin you mentioned can be used by anyone?
Thanks in advance,
Cheers,
Abdul.
Hi Abdul,
Trofolastin has been proven to help reduce the severity of stretch marks and so far it can be used by anyone with stretch marks. Many people admit that it works well to reduce the appearance of their stretch marks.
Consistent, practical, interesting and with a great potential audience. All who have children have bought at least a stroller … and if we have more children, we want to buy a new one every time. I think if I need another stroller your page would be my first choice. Graphical well. Congratulations, I really like.
Hello,
Thank you so much for the encouraging words. Very true, strollers are the new normal now and with increasing awareness about the importance of staying active after pregnancy, sport strollers will become even more popular.
Great post, I learned something new. I wasn’t aware of many of the reasons for stretch marks outside of genetics and weight gain. The graphics and layout were very good as well.
I can say that I would be inspired to get these products or try them out. The customer review ratings next to the items are very helpful. Thanks.
I have stretch marks on my thighs and it is so annoying. I think I had them when I was 17 and they are just there and never budge. Luckily they almost match my skin tone and you cannot figure them out from a distance but if you see them up close they are quite visible.
I’m scared that during pregnancy I might suffer from the same. I decided to try bio oil, however, when do you suggest to start with the oil?
Hi Shrey,
I think you should start as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. Bio oil moisturizers take a while to work. You need to start early so it can start moisturizing your skin and increasing its elasticity. You should also drink plenty of water and exercise too.
Good sleep will help too.