Can you prevent stretch marks during pregnancy

Stretch marks in pregnancy - NHS

Pregnancy stretch marks

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Stretch marks are narrow, streak-like lines that can develop on the surface of the skin. They can be pink, red, purple or brown, depending on your skin colour. They are common in pregnancy, affecting around 8 out of 10 pregnant women.

They usually appear on your tummy, or sometimes on your upper thighs and breasts, as your pregnancy progresses and your bump starts to grow. When stretch marks appear will be different from woman to woman.

The first sign you notice might be itchiness around an area where the skin is becoming thinner.

Stretch marks are not harmful. They do not cause medical problems and there is no specific treatment for them.

After your baby is born, the marks may gradually fade into paler scars and become less noticeable. They probably will not go away completely.

What causes stretch marks?

Stretch marks are very common and do not just affect pregnant women.

They can happen whenever the skin is stretched, for example during puberty or when putting on weight. Hormonal changes in pregnancy can affect your skin and make you more likely to get stretch marks.

They happen when the middle layer of skin (dermis) becomes stretched and broken in places. 

Whether or not you get stretch marks depends on your skin type, as some people's skin is more elastic.

Pregnancy weight gain

You are more likely to get stretch marks if your weight gain is more than average in pregnancy. Most women gain about 10 to 12.5kg (22 to 28lb) in pregnancy, although weight gain varies a great deal from woman to woman.

How much weight you gain may depend on your weight before you were pregnant.

It's important not to try to lose weight when you're pregnant by eating less. You need to have a healthy diet during pregnancy.

If you are worried about your weight, talk to your midwife or GP. They may give you advice if you weigh more than 100kg (about 15.5st) or less than 50kg (about 8st).

Preventing stretch marks

Some creams claim to remove stretch marks once they've appeared, but there is no reliable evidence that they work. There is also limited evidence about whether oils or creams help prevent stretch marks from appearing in the first place.

Find out more about stretch marks, including possible treatments for them.

Find out more about other common health problems in pregnancy.

Video: Where does my pregnancy weight come from?

In this video, a midwife discusses where the extra weight in pregnancy comes from.

Media last reviewed: 27 March 2020
Media review due: 27 March 2023

Page last reviewed: 25 November 2022
Next review due: 25 November 2025

How to Prevent Stretch Marks: 7 Tips

Overview

Stretch marks, also called striae distensae or striae gravidarum, look like indented streaks in your skin. They may be red, purple, or silver in appearance. Stretch marks most often appear on the:

• stomach
• chest
• hips
• bottom
• thighs

They’re common in pregnancy, but anyone can develop stretch marks in any phase of life. Some people are more susceptible to them. If your mom, dad, grandparents, or other blood relative has stretch marks, you’re more likely to get them. Even if you’re at increased risk of stretch marks, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk and treat the stretch marks you already have.

1. Control your weight

One of the most helpful things you can do to prevent stretch marks, whether you’re pregnant or not, is to maintain a healthy weight. Stretch marks can happen when your skin pulls apart quickly due to rapid weight gain. You may also notice stretch marks after rapid weight loss. Some people develop stretch marks during growth spurts, such as during puberty. Other people, like bodybuilders, notice them after big gains from working out or using steroids. Working to control body changes from happening too quickly may be your best bet. Eat a healthy diet and exercise to help you manage your weight. If you do notice rapid weight gain or weight loss, it may be a good idea to visit your doctor to find out why.

2. Stay hydrated

Drinking enough water may help keep your skin hydrated and soft. Soft skin doesn’t tend to develop stretch marks as much as dry skin does. The Institute of Medicine’s current recommendations for daily water intake are 104 ounces for men and 72 ounces for women. Drinking caffeinated beverages, like coffee, may actually increase your risk of developing stretch marks. If you drink coffee, make sure you’re balancing out your fluid intake with plenty of water, herbal tea, and other caffeine-free fluids.

3. Eat a nutrient-rich diet

Stretch marks may also occur if you lack nutrition in certain areas. Eating foods that boost skin health may help. Make sure your diet includes foods rich in:

• vitamin C
• vitamin D
• vitamin E
• zinc
• protein

One way to make sure you’re getting a variety of nutrients is to choose unprocessed foods in various colors. For example, a breakfast of eggs, whole wheat toast, and mixed berries adds many colors to your plate while packing in a variety of nutrients.

4. Include vitamin C in your diet

Collagen plays a role in keeping your skin strong and elastic. It helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but it may also be important for preventing stretch marks. Vitamin C is an important nutrient for the development of collagen. Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are especially good sources of vitamin C.

5. Soak up some vitamin D

One study found a correlation between low levels of vitamin D and the incidence of stretch marks. More research is needed, but results suggest that maintaining healthy levels of vitamin D may reduce your risk of stretch marks. The easiest way to get vitamin D is through exposure to the sun. The vitamin is also commonly added to bread, cereal, and dairy products like milk or yogurt.

6. Eat foods rich in zinc

Zinc is an important nutrient for skin health. It helps reduce inflammation and plays a role in the wound healing process. There is very little evidence to date of a connection between zinc and stretch marks, but including zinc-rich foods in your diet, such as nuts and fish, may help keep your skin healthy.

7. Treat fresh stretch marks when they appear

If you can’t totally prevent stretch marks on your skin, you can work to minimize their appearance so they aren’t as noticeable in the long run. Make an appointment with your doctor or a dermatologist to discuss your options if you have fresh stretch marks. Your doctor can help determine what is causing your marks, and they may be able to suggest treatment options that work best on new stretch marks.

Risk factors

Some people are more likely to develop stretch marks. Risk factors include:

• being female
• having a family history of stretch marks
• being overweight
• being pregnant
• gaining or losing weight quickly
• using corticosteroids
• having breast augmentation
• having certain genetic disorders, such as Cushing’s syndrome or Marfan syndrome

Stretch marks in pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most common times when women notice stretch marks. In fact, it’s estimated that 50 to 90 percent of pregnant women will develop stretch marks before delivery. So, are pregnancy stretch marks different from the ones that other people get? Maybe. Some experts believe that hormones during pregnancy may make you more prone to stretch marks. The hormones may bring more water into the skin, relaxing it and making it easier to tear when stretched. This idea is up for some debate. Regardless, a good number of pregnant women will notice stretch marks starting in the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy. In recent study published by BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 78 percent of respondents used a product to prevent stretch marks. Of these women, a third of them said they tried two or more products, with Bio-Oil being the most frequently used. Still, 58.5 percent of the women who used this oil developed stretch marks. That said, the best way for pregnant women to prevent stretch marks is to gain pregnancy weight slowly and steadily. You can work with your healthcare provider to find a diet and exercise plan that will help you avoid gaining too much while also giving you the nutrition you need to nourish yourself and your baby. If you do develop stretch marks during pregnancy, you may be glad to know that they will eventually fade. Over time, the red or pink color will mature into a pale silver or white color.

Treatment

Preventing stretch marks may be difficult, but there are many treatments that may lessen their appearance.

Retinoid cream

Laser therapy

Glycolic acid

Outlook

Stretch marks often fade to become less noticeable with time. Preventing them can be difficult, and no miracle products have been scientifically proven to work. Many creams, oils, and other personal care items claim to help prevent stretch marks, but many of these claims lack scientific backing. They may not help, but in most cases they aren’t likely to hurt, either. Keeping your weight in check, staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, and seeking treatment soon after the marks appear may help. Call your doctor if you notice an increase in stretch marks or if they cover a large area of your body. Your doctor may be able to help you figure out what is causing them and suggest treatment options.

How to avoid stretch marks during and after pregnancy - 4fresh blog

Everything around seems so harmonious and natural, and the expectant mother herself blooms like a beautiful flower, revealing her best feminine qualities - kindness, tenderness, joyfulness and caring.

Many questions come to mind, for example, how to properly care for yourself during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Is it possible to use the usual deodorants and cosmetics? How to prevent the appearance of cellulite? How to get rid of stretch marks on the stomach?

Today we would like to talk with you about stretch marks - why they appear and what to do about it.

What are stretch marks?

Ideally, our skin should be firm and elastic, regardless of external factors. But for some reasons, which we will discuss below, stretch marks or striae may form on it.

This means that the inner layer of the epidermis is torn, and scar tissue forms at the site of the stretch over time. Our in-house tailors darn the best they can!

At first, the skin at the site of stretch marks has a red and even purple hue, but over time it turns white to its normal color. Unfortunately for us, stretch marks are almost impossible to get rid of, and even a tan most likely won’t take them off.

Prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy

In order to know what helps with stretch marks during pregnancy, let's first get acquainted with the causes of stretch marks, there may be several.

• First, it is an increase in weight and volume of the body. If we take care of our skin and health incorrectly, smoke, do not use moisturizers, etc., the chance of getting stretch marks with breast and abdomen enlargement during pregnancy increases significantly.
• Secondly, it's all about hormones. With hormonal changes or failures, the synthesis of collagen and elastin can be disrupted. Because of this, the properties of the skin change, which leads to the appearance of stretch marks.
• Thirdly, stretch marks are also affected by how you eat. The lack of vitamins, proteins and nutrients is especially strong during pregnancy. The prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy can be a balanced and natural diet. Perhaps this does not guarantee the complete elimination of stretch marks, but it significantly reduces the possibility of their appearance.
• And fourthly, the cause of the appearance of unwanted stretch marks can be a genetic predisposition. If your mother and grandmother do not have stripes on their stomach and chest, then you should not have them either.

How to prevent stretch marks?

• Eat right. Make sure your diet contains enough proteins, vitamins and minerals. Also drink more water.
• Take care of your fitness before pregnancy. This will help to reduce the possibility of stretch marks by almost half.
• Take a contrast shower, which will have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.
• Engage in exercise, yoga, or simple walking.
• Use special moisturizing and nourishing products before pregnancy and oils against stretch marks during and after pregnancy.
• Performing these simple actions will be the best prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy.

How to get rid of stretch marks at home?

1. Starting from the third month, when the tummy begins to grow, it is worth paying special attention to the prevention of stretch marks.
   In addition to the tips that we have already mentioned above, I would like to say a few words about oils for stretch marks during pregnancy and special bandages for pregnant women.
2. From the second trimester, it is worth stocking up on a few supportive bras with wide straps to help avoid unwanted stripes and a tummy tuck.
   The latter is best used only as directed by a doctor. It is suitable for mothers with many children and women with weak abdominal muscles. Also, for the prevention of stretch marks on our own, natural oils and creams will become our best friend.

Oils for stretch marks during pregnancy

Specialized creams for pregnant women should contain a maximum of natural organic ingredients and, moreover, be enriched with vitamins, minerals, collagen, amino acids and active moisturizing ingredients.

Good base oils for pregnancy stretch marks are almond oil and olive oil. For better absorption, it is recommended to have a light moisturizing massage at home.

The simplest example of such a massage would be simple stroking movements with a hand or a shower glove around the tummy, chest, buttocks and legs.

By the way, if you are thinking about how to get rid of stretch marks on your chest, then massage with natural oils against stretch marks is the easiest and most convenient way.

Another interesting way is massage with pinching movements. To do this, apply the oil on the skin of the tummy, rub it until completely absorbed, and then gently pinch the skin with your fingers, moving from the bottom up.

We have selected for you cosmetics for stretch marks for pregnant women, consisting of natural and most useful ingredients. Such oils can be used not only during pregnancy, but also during breastfeeding.

Weleda classic oil against stretch marks during pregnancy does not contain allergen components and is safe for the expectant mother and baby. Use oil 2-3 times a day to keep your skin hydrated and supple.

Weleda Arnica Massage Oil is the best way to relieve tension in the body and relax. In addition, it has excellent regenerative properties and improves tissue respiration.

Mommy Care Cream can be used not only as an excellent remedy for fighting stretch marks, but also for everyone who wants to restore their youthfulness and firmness to their skin.

How to get rid of stretch marks after pregnancy

After childbirth, it is better not to stop using special creams for stretch marks. During breastfeeding, you can continue to use the same creams as during pregnancy. But after, when the risk of an allergy in a child is excluded, you can already introduce "heavy artillery".

Is it possible to get rid of stretch marks after childbirth? Young mothers may find small stripes near the chest and lower abdomen after the birth of a child. Special modeling serums and oils from natural ingredients will solve this problem with a bang.

In combination with proper nutrition, hardening and regular physical activity, a few months after pregnancy, your body will quickly return to its previous shape, and the skin will remain healthy, well-groomed and elastic.

• #Mom and baby

• #Body care

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Stretch marks - the whole truth - articles from the specialists of the clinic "Mother and Child"

Brezgunova Svetlana Leonidovna

Obstetrician-gynecologist

Clinic "Mother and Child" Togliatti

What is it

Stretch marks are also called striae. They appear in any area of ​​the body, but more often occur in those places where there is a large amount of fat. The most common locations for are: chest, abdomen, armpits, shoulders, hips, back and buttocks.

Stretch marks look like stripes on the skin, and over time their color changes. "Fresh" stretch marks are pinkish-red in color, the skin on them is slightly convex. Gradually, the striae increase in length and width, become bluish-violet, and eventually become discolored. This happens because at first there are still blood vessels inside the striae, which is why initially the stretch marks have such a bright color. Then the blood supply at the site of the stretch marks stops, the vessels become empty, the resulting skin defect is filled with connective tissue and the stretch marks become white. Since there is no pigment in the connective tissue, even under the influence of sunlight, the stretch marks remain white. Moreover, against the background of tanned skin, they become more noticeable.

Why they occur

It seems that the reason for the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy is clear at first glance: the expectant mother's belly grows, the skin stretches, and stretch marks form. Why, then, do they not occur in all expectant mothers? And is their appearance associated with weight gain? After all, it has been noticed, for example, that the likelihood of stretch marks does not depend on the size of the abdomen during pregnancy.

Women with a small tummy can develop stretch marks, while a woman expecting twins will not have this problem.

Why is this happening? Several factors come into play here. Yes, indeed, one of the reasons for the appearance of stretch marks is weight gain, but it is not so much the number of kilograms gained that is important, but how quickly a woman gained them: the faster the expectant mother gains weight, the higher the risk of stretch marks. That is why even with a small increase in weight, stretch marks can appear. The second reason for stretch marks is hormonal imbalance. During pregnancy, the amount of estrogen and cortisol decreases, resulting in a violation of the synthesis of skin and connective tissue proteins - collagen and elastin. Namely, with the help of these proteins, our skin can stretch well and restore its elasticity.

If there is not enough collagen and elastin, then the skin becomes brittle and thins faster, in the end, it tears in some areas, and then scar connective tissue forms in the places of tears .

And here is how the body of the expectant mother will behave during pregnancy: whether there will be sharp jumps in weight and hormonal imbalance (which means that stretch marks will appear or not, it is impossible to predict).

What to do?

Let's just say that There is no 100% effective treatment for and prevention of stretch marks. For example, most creams, lotions, gels for the prevention of stretch marks simply contain moisturizing ingredients and help soften the skin, but do not affect the balance of hormones. Therefore, these remedies cannot prevent the appearance of stretch marks if hormonal disorders have occurred. Yes, and after childbirth, various laser procedures, peelings and resurfacing will not get rid of stretch marks at all, they will simply make them more invisible.

But this does not mean that we should give up and do nothing. You can do just a lot of things: even if you do not achieve a 100% effect, there will still be benefits.

– Monitor nutrition and avoid sudden weight fluctuations. Do not forget to eat protein foods - protein, together with zinc and vitamin C, stimulates the production of collagen, which gives the skin elasticity. If you don’t feel like meat yet, include fish, dairy products and legumes in your diet - these are also sources of healthy protein.

– Avoid sweets – sugar inhibits collagen renewal, the skin loses its elasticity and water, becomes dry, sluggish, its elasticity decreases.

- From the first days of pregnancy constantly nourish and moisturize the skin . To do this, use creams, gels, lotions with collagen, elastin, and vitamins C and E . The main thing is that these drugs must be approved for use during pregnancy. Before you buy this or that product, carefully read the instructions and the composition of the drug. Find out the mechanism of action of biologically active substances of a cosmetic product from a sales assistant. If you still have doubts, consult with your obstetrician-gynecologist. Look into your wallet and make a choice.

- If finances allow, do salon procedures for body moisturizing that are allowed during pregnancy (seaweed wraps, for example), if not, limit yourself to ordinary skin moisturizing, it is also effective.

- Regularly take a contrast shower : it tones and firms the skin, and problem areas receive the blood flow they need. You can massage individual parts of the body alternately with cold and warm jets. Just don't aim the jet directly at your stomach.

– After showering, don't dry your body, just pat it dry with a towel. You can do light pinching self-massage using moisturizing creams or natural vegetable oils (such as olive or linseed). Massage promotes the removal of excess fluid and activates the work of blood vessels - they quickly carry nutrients throughout the body. Important: when massaging the abdomen and chest, massage only the sides, thighs and legs.

– Swim : the contrast of water and air temperature, active physical activity also contribute to the prevention of stretch marks.

- During pregnancy wear special bras , they will support the enlarged breasts and will not allow the skin to overstretch.

Even if stretch marks appear, don't get upset. It has been noticed that if you immediately start a set of preventive measures (moisturizing the skin, proper nutrition, water procedures), then often stretch marks do not spread further. And if you start prevention from the first days of pregnancy, they may not appear at all.

REMINDER for moms

Start attacking stretch marks as early as possible: the younger they are, the less money and time it will take to eliminate them.

1. Watch your diet, try not to gain weight suddenly.
2. Daily moisturize and nourish the skin, not only the abdomen and chest, but also the thighs, buttocks, legs.
3. Lead an active lifestyle: walk in the fresh air, play sports, swim.
4. Take a contrast shower, do self-massage.
5. Wear the right underwear: a maternity bra is especially necessary for expectant mothers with large breasts

Note:

Stretch marks cannot be predicted. Even if during the last pregnancy there were no or, on the contrary, there were stretch marks, then there is no guarantee that the situation will repeat itself in the next pregnancy

You can make a composition for stretch marks yourself.

Here are the oils that will suit you:

• Jojoba oil is the most effective remedy: it is used for the prevention and elimination of skin stretch marks during and after pregnancy, as well as for weight gain and sudden weight loss.

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