Stretch marks are a woman’s tiger stripes, letting the world around her know that she has grown life inside her. Even with this beauty behind their meaning, however, stretch marks can make it hard for you to feel confident in certain clothing or a swimsuit.
Of course, stretch marks are not limited to your tummy. The body goes through incredible changes during pregnancy. Pregnant women may also notice the formation of stretch marks on their breasts, thighs, abdomen, and other areas of their body.
Don’t feel embarrassed if you want your stretch marks to disappear. You are not alone! Fortunately, choosing a cream designed to smooth stretch marks may lessen their appearance or may even prevent them when used during pregnancy.
Always consult with your obstetrician before starting any new products during pregnancy. The safety of essential oils during pregnancy is controversial.
FAQs About Lotion for Stretch Marks
What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks are thin, rippled lines on the skin, also known as striae. They are caused by rapid stretching of the skin due to pregnancy, rapid weight gain, certain medical conditions, and certain medications. This rapid stretching of the skin causes breaks in your collagen fibers in the skin.
However, the quick weight changes that pregnant women experience, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy, make mothers especially susceptible to stretch marks.
They often occur in groups of parallel lines and can be one of many colors, including white, silver, light blue, purple, pink, and red.
While they are most common on the belly and breasts, they can also occur on your thighs, hips, arms, and buttocks.
Why do I have stretch marks?
Stretch marks occur because of two substances in your body called collagen and cortisol. Collagen naturally depletes as you age, which makes older mothers more at risk for stretch marks. It is responsible for the integrity and tensile strength of your skin.
Cortisol is a hormone that is released when the body undergoes stress. It weakens the elastic fibers in the skin, which allows the collagen fibers to break and lead to striae. Pregnancy cortisol levels are highest in the third trimester.
These factors, paired with rapid stretching, make expectant mothers especially susceptible to stretch marks.
Should I put lotion on my stretch marks when I’m still pregnant?
Many products manufactured for stretch marks are marketed for expectant mothers.
Even though you can treat your stretch marks at any point in your life, treatment will be most effective earlier in your pregnancy. You should begin treating your stretch marks (or moisturizing commonly prone areas) in the second and third trimesters. Taking preventative measures will help you smooth any marks before they appear.
Just like treating stretch marks, you’ll want to start wearing maternity underwear earlier in your pregnancy too, in order to avoid any discomfort.
What ingredients should I look for in a stretch mark lotion?
Stretch mark lotions often contain several ingredients, with some of them working to smooth the skin while others reduce even skin tone. Some people have had some success treating their striae with different creams.
In addition to looking for cream without retinol or Vitamin A, here are some beneficial ingredients:
- Vitamin E- Vitamin E is safe during pregnancy and is most beneficial before striae appear. It is an anti-oxidant which helps protect the skin from sun induced damage. It may help the appearance of stretch marks. Vitamin E also helps moisturize the skin. It may irritate some people’s skin.
- Aloe Vera- Aloe Vera is known for its ability to encourage natural healing. It also locks in moisture and is filled with nourishing components.
- Vitamin D- Getting sun in minimal amounts is important for more than just boosting your mood during pregnancy. Always wear sunscreen when you are exposed to sun. Remember a healthy diet will supply you with vitamin D.
- Vitamin C- Vitamin C is heavily involved in the production of the collagen that affects your skin’s elasticity. It is also a potent anti-oxidant to help protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun, which can lead to wrinkles and skin cancer.
- Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter- These ingredients are heavily moisturizing, which can promote elasticity of the skin. However, they have had mixed results for effectiveness in treating stretch marks.
Is stretch mark lotion safe during pregnancy?
Even though many ingredients in lotions are considered safe for skin, they are not always safe during pregnancy.
A common skin care ingredient, for example, is retinol, retinyl palmitate, or Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a common ingredient in skincare products, including scar removal cream and anti-aging formulas. It smooths the skin and helps even the tone. However, Vitamin A causes birth defects when it is absorbed in high amounts during pregnancy. This does not mean it should be avoided altogether. It is still an important nutrient for your body.
You should also avoid parabens when shopping for stretch mark cream. Parabens are commonly found in beauty products like shampoo, where they are used as a preservative. Being exposed to too many parabens disrupts hormone levels in the body. It is especially harmful to male children, who may not grow as much during their fetal period and in the first years of their life.
Many of the ingredients included in these products are controversial, should not be used in first trimester of pregnancy, or have limited or no data/research on use during pregnancy. Some ingredients have been linked to other non-pregnancy related health problems. Many products have not been evaluated by the FDA. Since no studies have been conducted with these products on pregnant women there is no absolute certainty that these are 100% safe. Always consult with your obstetrician before starting any products while your are pregnant, nursing or planning on becoming pregnant.
Since the FDA does not regulate cosmetic products, the Environmental Work Group (EWG) has created a database of products. It offers information on the most popular products and ingredients, such as whether the product is an irritant/allergen or linked to organ/reproductive toxicities. It rates products from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least toxic. It is best to stick to products that rate EWG verified, 1 or 2.
