How To Prevent And Treat Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are an uncomfortable and unfortunate side effect of pregnancy. Sure, pregnancy is a beautiful and magical time for women (and all that jazz!) but there are certainly a few little spin-offs no one tells you about that are less than ideal. Stretch marks are but one of these frustrating factors. So, what exactly are stretch marks and how do you prevent and treat them? I caught up with Tracy Symons-Murdoch, Bio-Oil General Manager, to pick her brain on the topic. Here’s what I found out…

Causes

Stretch marks occur when your skin can’t keep up with your body’s movement (or expansion). During pregnancy, the body (particularly the belly) grows rapidly and the skin has insufficient time to adjust which leads to internal tears in the skin tissue. “When these tears repair themselves they form the scars that we know as stretch marks,” Tracy explains.

Susceptibility

I have a friend who NEVER sweats. It can be a super hot summer’s day and while the rest of us are frantically powdering our faces trying to ensure our foundation hasn’t melted, she’s all shine-free and flawless – life’s not fair, am I right? Equally as frustrating is the fact that not all women get stretch marks, and it turns out there’s a few reasons why. Tracy explains that skin type, age, family history and weight all affect your susceptibility to stretch marks.

She says women with darker skin tones are more prone to stretch marks than lighter-skinned women. “Interestingly, it has been found that as you get older, you are less likely to develop stretch marks,” Tracy adds. If your mother developed stretch marks, it’s also more likely you will too (thanks a lot mum!). Finally, since stretch marks depend on the extent to which the skin expands, “excessive weight gain can exacerbate their formation”.

Prevention

Tracy tells me the best way to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy is to ensure you care for your skin, particularly its hydration. She explains, “Collagen and elastin fibres in the skin are necessary to keep rapidly growing skin taut, and the stronger they are, the less likely they are to break and leave resulting stretch marks.” So, it makes sense to use skin care products and eat foods rich in vitamin E and C, zinc and silica which all help to form collagen. Tracy also recommends keeping your body hydrated by drinking the recommended two litres of water per day.

bh recommends: NIVEA Sun Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion, Essano Rosehip Intensive Hydrating Body Lotion, Elucent Body Moisturiser, Arbonne Intelligence Genius Booster Serum For Body and La Mer The Body Refiner.

Treatment

If you start to notice stretch marks forming during pregnancy, fear not! There are loads of products that help to treat, reduce and ultimately get rid of stretch marks. And some, like Bio-Oil, are even totally safe to use during pregnancy. Always check with your doctor if you’re unsure about using any products while you’re pregnant.

Here are our top picks for products to help you say goodbye to those pesky stretch marks and firm your post-baby skin!

Bio-Oil, freezeframe Stem Cell Stretch Mark Eraser, SCULPTT PPC Cream and Cellulite Smoother, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks and Swisse BioActive Nature Oil.

Do you have stretch marks? How do you treat them?

101 Member Comments

Billie Swift 18 Dec 2019 1:59 PM

my sister had stretch marks after pregnancy,she did use the oil ,cream ,but they didn't work at all,then she was recommend to do the laser scra removal treatment,it was amazing,the stretch went alway at once,and here is the tips she wrote about that treatment,hope it wouls be helpful to you. About Laser Treatment

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Sweety7 14 Nov 2019 1:48 PM

Great product recommendations here!

Beautybabe140194 7 Jul 2018 3:01 PM

Great read. I have not been pregnant but I find bio oil does help with some of the marks I have.

skincare junkie 6 Jul 2018 7:45 PM

I don't have any stretch marks from my pregnancy, but then I don't really believe topical treatments help.

Chrystalage 6 Jul 2018 5:50 PM

I don't have stretch marks but have plenty of other skin issues to deal with

Temporary Princess 5 Jul 2018 10:02 PM

I honestly don't know that anything truly reaches through enough layers of skin to prevent stretch marks.

Herikadrizzle 5 Jul 2018 3:13 AM

I was religiously applying lotions and oils on my tummy during my first pregnancy. I got away with 8 months without a sign of stretch mark, but on my 9th month, the maximum my tummy has grown, though not really big, my skin just gave up. 10 years later, they’re like silver threads on my tummy. I consistently moisturise all over my body mind you. I also did carboxy therapy to no avail. Like others here, I don’t have as much a problem with the stretchies like I do with the loose skin which after pole dancing, weightlifting, soccer training, and circuit training, it’s better but not resolved. We are all different. ☺️

IndieAna 4 Jul 2018 8:31 PM

I didn't get stretch marks, but I don't think that they're anything to be ashamed of

Cheapohippo 4 Jul 2018 6:57 PM

I tried everything and nothing seems to work for me. Stretch marks, saggy skin, excess fat, lack of sleep...All part of the joy of parenthood

thelifeoflaura 2 Jul 2018 7:54 AM

I have heard that Sculptt is amazing for stretch marks! Will have to pass this article on to my friend xx

Meedee 2 Jul 2018 7:49 AM

I tried everything to avoid getting them through my pregnancies and nothing worked. They have now faded to a very pale white. Im not as concerned about them as I am the sagging skin which the Doc said there is no way I can get rid of other then surgery. I dont want surgery so I will simply deal with it. Im using Palmers skin threapy oil which I have been applying since my gallbladder surgery in April. Its keeping the skin hydrated but I dont know that its really helped with the scar.

jillian206 1 Jul 2018 10:21 AM

i have purchased Clarins stretch mark cream for a friend as a baby shower gift before. But never know if it works,

Fefe 30 Jun 2018 4:52 PM

I was lucky enough to of had 5 kids and didn't get any stretch marks but I have to add that I don't put much weight on or get a big tummy though

Billie Swift 18 Dec 2019 1:51 PM

amazing

Herikadrizzle 5 Jul 2018 3:08 AM

Lucky you! ❤️

Hayley644 30 Jun 2018 9:22 AM

Have never had children but I do have some stretch marks and remember having them in my late teens.

ShannonIris 29 Jun 2018 5:52 PM

Bio oil always has and always will be my go to for stretch marks!

tarameoww 28 Jun 2018 9:22 PM

Ive tried my fair few stretch mark creams, but I'd like to try freezeframe.

katrina176 28 Jun 2018 7:58 PM

Bio oil is just a great product. I loved the way it made my skin feel when i used it in the past , I think it reduced the appearance of my stretch marks but at the end of the day they are still there , I'm pregnant with baby number 4 and stretch marks are the least of my worries.

MoonlightSak16 28 Jun 2018 9:40 AM

I am jealous of people saying that they didn't get any stretchmarks :). I applied all sorts of products and always massaged my tummy area with rich nourishing oils but I still got them. I guess my skin is just prone to all the skin problems out there . You name it I have it .

Chrystalage 28 Jun 2018 12:52 AM

A good range of products to choose from

GeeJ 27 Jun 2018 11:45 PM

I always read rave reviews about bio-oil.

Kassalee 27 Jun 2018 8:01 PM

I never knew what stretch marks looked like until my sister showed me hers. Is this a taboo subject? There's not even a pic on this article.

Maybe oils and lotions do help - my sister used an oil (not sure if vitamin e or bio oil) and had stretch marks after 2 babies (and was tiny with both) and yet I had no stretch marks after 3 babies - and I was HUGE with #3! I used nothing.

Isabelbolton 27 Jun 2018 6:40 PM

I didn't get stretch marks from pregnancy but I have them on my hips from growing when I was younger and I use palmers body lotion.

Kelgri79 27 Jun 2018 5:05 PM

Bio oil is fantastic for stretch Mark's and keeping your skin smooth

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