Can Stretch Marks Go Away

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Cocoa butter lotion won't prevent stretch marks

Applying cocoa butter lotion during pregnancy does not help prevent stretch marks that many women develop, according to a new study.

Stretch marks, or striae gravidarum as doctors refer to them, typically occur on the abdomen and breasts, but can also appear on the hips, thighs, and buttocks. The cause of the problem is unknown, but many women believe that rubbing cocoa butter on the skin can help prevent the marks.

Although scientific evidence supporting the use of cocoa butter is lacking, many physicians and midwives continue to recommend it.

In the present study, Dr. A. H Nassar and colleagues sought to settle this issue by examining the stretch marks that arose in 210 pregnant women who were randomly assigned to apply cocoa butter or inactive "placebo" to their abdomen, breasts, and thighs once daily starting during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Read Also: Cocoa Butter for Stretch Marks

Eighty-three percent of women completed the study, Nassar, from the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Lebanon and colleagues note.

Overall, 45 percent of cocoa butter-treated women developed stretch marks compared with 49 percent of women given placebo lotion. Although the percentage is slightly lower in the cocoa butter group, from a statistical standpoint, the difference was not considered significant, meaning that it may have simply arisen by chance.

There was also no difference between the groups in the severity of their stretch marks.

"Our findings do not support the use of cocoa butter lotion for the prevention of striae gravidarum," Nassar and colleagues conclude. Further studies, they say, are needed to confirm their findings in other populations and to evaluate the effectiveness of other commonly used products in preventing stretch marks.

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Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

Stretch Marks During Pregnancy: Dermatologists Share Advice On Prevention And Treatment

Women’s bodies go through many physical changes during pregnancy, the majority which are out of their control.

Stretch marks are a natural result of a woman’s skin stretching as she develops further in her pregnancy.

While the end result of giving birth is undoubtedly worth it, understanding how they can be prevented and treated will be welcomed.

Statistically, women getting stretch marks during pregnancy is relatively high with around 70% to 90% of women suffering from them in some way, according to the NHS.

stretch marks pregnancy

We chatted to dermatologists and doctors specialising in skin health to find out more.

Why causes women to get stretch marks during pregnancy?

“Stretch marks develop when the collagen in the skin is stretched beyond its elastic limit,” Dr Justine Hextall, consultant dermatologist, at The Harley Medical Group told HuffPost UK Parents.

“This causes fissuring which appears as stretch marks in our skin.”

During the latter stages of pregnancy specifically when the baby is rapidly growing, a woman’s skin cells rupture due to being pulled apart so much.

When the cells rupture they will also leave scarring - the stretch mark.

Better Births midwife Rachel Scanlon from The Royal College of Midwives said it also may be a result of your genes.

“Some women have a genetic disposition to stretch marks, so if your mum had them you might be more likely to have them.”

Dr Hextall agreed, adding: “There are some women who may just have more elastic skin and can sail through growth spurts and pregnancies with perfect skin, others are not so lucky.

“It is that old-age, look at your mother!”

How can I prevent getting stretch marks?

Before noticing stretch marks have developed, there are a number of things women can do to prevent them.

No single thing will always work, so understanding how you can look after your skin as early as possible will be an advantage.

Dr. Erich Schulte, founder of QMS Medicosmetics said an effective method to prevent stretch marks is a combination of regular exercise and healthy nutrition.

Maintaining a healthy weight will minimise any rapid weight gain that could contribute towards excessive stretching of the skin.

He told HuffPost UK Parents: “Boost your routine with supplements ideally containing Vitamins E and C (like Intravital Plus) and make sure you choose skincare products that will strengthen the collagen and elastin fibres in your skin tissue before you’re further along in your pregnancy.”

Dr. Kishan Raichuram, skin health expert at IGDP, said another way to prevent stretch marks is through keeping your skin as healthy and hydrated as possible.

“While it’s impossible to entirely prevent them, pregnant women can improve skin condition to hopefully reduce the chances by keep the area well moisturised and nourished,” he said.

stretch marks pregnancy

Dr. Schulte agreed, adding that preparing your skin as soon as you know you are pregnant will help strengthen it.

He explained: “This will make your less prone to damage and injury to the tissue. It will also help restore the skin post-pregnancy.

“Exfoliation is a key benefit as that continues to stimulate the cell turnover and works well in conjunction with body-firming creams.

“Also don’t stop the skin care routine once you have given birth as the skin still needs the support.”

What should women do if they notice them during pregnancy?

Firstly, don’t panic - finding stretch marks on your stomach does not mean they will stay there forever.

The wider, red, dipped scarring will improve significantly and over time, they are likely to become less pigmented and more silvery in colour.

“If stretch marks do develop try to prevent too much sun exposure to the area as they can pigment and take longer to fade,” explained Dr Hextall.

“Massaging the skin with bio-oil or silica gel may well reduce the redness and improve the appearance.

“I like Bio-oil as it is very accessible for patients and enables them to be pro-active in treating their stretch marks. I suggest massaging oil into the skin.

“Soon the redness of new stretch marks fades and they appear silvery and as such are much less noticeable.

“Topical silica gels are also good at reducing redness in all scars.”

For pregnant women, Bio oil is recommended to be massaged in a circular motion into the stretch marks, twice daily.

It should be applied from the start of the second trimester to areas that are prone to stretch marks such as the abdomen, breasts, lower back, hips, buttocks and thighs.

Midwife Scanlon agreed that moisturising and massaging your stretch marks will be beneficial, as well as keeping hydrated.

“Drinking lots of water will keep your skin more elastic,” she said.

stretch marks pregnancy

Are there any treatments to get rid of stretch marks post-pregnancy?

There are more invasive techniques women can try with a higher chance of removing stretch marks.

Dr Hextall said The Harley Medical Group’s Dermaroller involves ‘micro-needling’ to stimulate the skin and regenerate naturally and safely.

Also referred to as ‘Collagen Induction Therapy’, this treatment introduces fine needles to the skin to create microscopic channels.

How to get rid of stretch marks - the best products and treatments to try

The University of Manchester would have you believe that the death knoll for stretch marks is as simple as green tea - or the tea's chemicals at least, which have just found their way into the latest wonder cream that promises to stop those unsightly shiny body markings from happening. The makers of said wonderstuff, Solution for Stretch Mark, promise “that it works on a deeper level” than other treatments.

The good news is that for the eight out of ten expectant mothers who will develop stretch marks this could be their preventative hope in a jar (though we'll reserve judgment until we see the stats). But for women who already have existing pink markings, can anything be done?

What are stretch marks?

Referred to as 'striae' by the professionals, stretch marks are a form of scarring caused by thinning skin and a loss of elasticity in the deeper levels of your skin. From fresh red streaks to the older, purplish, shiny flecks, stretch marks commonly effect pregnant women and adolescent girls during growth spurts. So what can they do?

Laser treatments can remove stretch marks

There are rumours of technologically advanced lasers making their way over from the US. Until then the NHS relies on red pulse dye lasers to help fade stretch marks, while private clinics would almost certainly opt for resurfacing co2 lasers. Remember though, neither can remove marks completely.

Carboxytherapy

"Stretch marks are essentially little scars in the tissue and are a very stubborn condition to treat. As with any scar, it’s likely that they won’t disappear completely with treatment. However, in more than 80% of patients we can reduce the stretch mark width and make them significantly less obvious," says Dr Stefanie Williams, founder of EUDELO. "We treat stretch marks with carboxytherapy. That means that we superficially inject tiny amounts of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) directly into the stretch mark with a tiny needle. The injected medical CO2 gas makes your skin ‘think’ there is an oxygen deficit and it responds by increasing blood flow to the skin and regeneration of tiny blood vessels in the skin. This will with time allow more oxygen and nutrients to reach the skin, which leads to improved elasticity, skin regeneration and tissue remodeling.

"Carboxytherapy sessions can be alternated with Growth Factor or PRP (latelet rich plasma) Needling. A sterile needle pen is used to create microscopic punctures in the skin. These intentional ‘injuries’ induce thousands of tiny, controlled wound-healing responses, which lead to further collagen production and tissue remodeling.

"In order to further enhance the benefits of the medical needling, we combine the procedure with infusion of an advanced growth factor solution or PRP (platelet rich plasma, which is also very high in growth factors – derived from your own blood)."

Taking supplements can minimise your risk of getting more

Stretch marks are often symptomatic of a zinc deficiency - the mineral associated with the repair and regeneration of skin cells. Not easily found in foods, oysters and venison are the richest sources, your best bet for minimising the risk of stretch marks is a good supplement. Try Biocare's Zinc Citrate, £6.

Creams can help fade them

With peptides, collagen boosters and anti-oxidants Strivectin body cream, £70, was, and still is, the gold standard cream to fade stretch marks in the UK, with clinical results to prove it.

Retinol works to remove stretch marks

"If you're going down the topical route it's all about resurfacing the skin, which means looking for a high strength vitamin A retinol (try Avene Ysthéal Emulsion, £15) and peel, and possibly needling designed to stimulate collagen," says Dr. Rabia Malik, specialist in aesthetic medicine. "You categorically can't get rid of stretch marks, but you can improve them."

"Needling," adds Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai, consultant ophthalmologist & ocuplastic surgeon, " also improve the skin condition and reduce the appearance of the stretch marks and also improve the penetration of cosmeceutical grade actives if they are applied post treatment."

Is there a natural cure?

There is apparently no end to the beauty uses found in the humble coconut. Its oil, rich in fatty acids namely lauric acid, feeds skin so that it repairs itself better without the need to stretch and weaken. Combine with vitamin E capsules for an added collagen boosting, moisturising effect. We love Swanson Organic Coconut Oil, £10.50.

Or opt for a cosmetic solution

"A cosmeceutical grade glycolic wash or home use scrub to increase the skin cell turnover and improve the general appearance of the skin in this area definitely helps," says Shah-Desai. "Quite often this is an effective way to 'fade' or reduce the appearance of stretch marks. "

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Get Rid of Stretch Marks

The Only Real Way to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

Getting rid of stretch marks may seem like a daunting, never-ending story. In some ways, it can be. As much as we hate to be the ones to break it to you, there’s no surefire way to erase them. But there’s no need to lose hope.

The good news is that there are a number of real ways that you can potentially improve those unsightly marks, so they become nearly invisible over time. Similarly, certain steps can be taken to help prevent stretch marks from occurring in the future. Let’s take a closer look.

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks have nothing to do with stretching at the gym. They’re indented streaks in the skin caused by superficial scars that may develop any time the dermis layer of the skin is torn, dermatologist Dr. Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas said in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar. Many people equate stretch marks with pregnancy and it turns out sporting a baby bump is one of the most common causes. The same story said approximately 90% of women will experience them during the last trimester when the skin is most prone to a high degree of stretching to accommodate the growing baby.

But stretch marks in the skin can occur in men and non-pregnant women. They can also crop up on breasts, hips, buttocks and thighs, according to the Mayo Clinic. While genetics plays a huge role in who will get stretch marks, other factors include rapid weight gain or loss as well as high hormonal levels during puberty.

How can stretch marks be treated?

While no magic potion currently exists to erase stretch marks, you can minimize the appearance with time, patience, and a few helpful products. “Many stretch marks improve a lot over many months without treatment,” Dr. Oscar Hevia, a cosmetic dermatologist, told StyleCaster. “But, since stretch marks are essentially a scar from the inside out, there is no treatment that makes them disappear completely.”

Retinoid cream may be one of the most promising DIY treatments. Derived from vitamin A, retinoids such as tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Avita) that you apply to your skin may improve the appearance of stretch marks that are less than a few months old, according to Mayo Clinic. Tretinoin can help to rebuild collagen, making the stretch marks look more like your normal skin. However, it’s important to note that tretinoin can irritate your skin. And if you’re pregnant or nursing, make sure to check with your doctor about other treatment options because possible side effects of retinoid cream may affect the baby.

If you’d rather avoid retinoids, The Organic Beauty Expert said castor oil can be a good substitute to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Apply the oil to the affected area and massage gently in a circular motion, then use a clean cloth to wrap the affected skin. Next, use a heating pad on the spot for at least 30 minutes for the best results.

Light and laser therapies are a more intense option. In the Harper’s Bazaar story, Alexiades-Armenakas said that the best bet for treating red or active stretch marks is with in-office treatments using a pulsed dye laser. “It won’t work if the marks are old and no longer red,” she told the publication, “But if you catch stretch marks early, you can help reverse them and prevent scarring or permanence in one to three monthly treatments usually.”

The Mayo Clinic also highlighted microdermabrasion as a solid solution. A hand-held device blows crystals onto the skin, gently removing its topmost layers, which promotes the growth of new, more elastic skin. This makes stretch marks less noticeable.

The Derma Roller System is an at-home option you can try as well. According to the product, it can be used to improve the appearance of stretch marks, such as those developed during pregnancy, adolescent growth spurts, rapid muscle growth, and weight fluctuations. Again, this is according to the product, so it’s best to remain a bit skeptical.

How to help prevent stretch marks

While total prevention is never a guarantee when it comes to stretch marks, you can take matters into your own hands through a few at-home treatments, some of which can duly help lessen the appearance of existing stretch marks.

First of all, it’s imperative to keep the skin as healthy and hydrated as possible, according to Dr. Kishan Raichura, a skin health expert. He told The Huffington Post UK, “While it’s impossible to entirely prevent them, pregnant women can improve skin condition to hopefully reduce the chances by keeping the area well moisturized and nourished.” Coconut oil or olive oil are both great, all-natural products to use in combination with vitamin E oil or cream to help keep collagen fibers strong. And keep in mind, drinking enough water is the best way to stay hydrated from the inside out.

In the same story, Dr. Erich Schulte, founder of QMSMediCosmetics, also mentioned skin exfoliation as an important part of your daily regimen. “It is a key benefit as it continues to stimulate the cell turnover and works well in conjunction with body-firming creams,” he said in the story. You can exfoliate the skin through dry brushing or by using an exfoliating wash. Sugar is also an all-natural exfoliator; mix it with a few drops of lemon juice and almond oil to make a paste, then gently rub it over your skin.

Nutrition also plays a role. Top 10 Home Remedies suggested eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, silica, and other nutrients to help nourish the skin. The antioxidant vitamin E is especially crucial as it protects the collagen fibers in your skin from damage, which promotes skin elasticity. Almonds, olives, sunflower seeds, spinach, avocados, and pumpkins are all high in vitamin E.

The most important thing to remember is to be flexible in stretch marks treatment. Find what best works for your body and your lifestyle.

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Red Stretch Marks

Acting Properly In The Case of Red Stretch Marks

Our first reaction and treatment towards a skin condition, often affects the results afterwards. The same can be said for red stretch marks.

No one wants them. They are searingly red, really appearing like enormous scars, they look like you tried to shave yourself with a knife, or like if a tiger tried to rip you to pieces, but didn’t quite make it.

What’s more, the older these scars get, the more they turn to a white/silver color and at that point they mostly stay like that, staying somewhat noticeable for the rest of your life. So if left untreated, there is almost a 100% that those stretch mark will never, ever get healed on their own. Your skin is just not strong enough by itself.

But, you are actually in luck.

Yes, you heard that right, you are in position that many women would want to change immediately. Why is this?

It is simply because of the fact, that stretch marks are the easiest to affect when they are red. When they are red, they are fresh, like an open wound ready to be patched up fast. Your body heals the fastest then, the most thoroughly and the most effectively. So those women who have white or old stretch marks.. Their healing has slowed, it’s a lot less than it used to be.

And if you wait yourself for that to happen, at that point, they will already be so ingrained in your skin that it will much more harder to remove them. This is even more true as for removing white stretch marks, there is a whole guide by itself needed.

How do Red Stretch Marks Even Show Up?

When stretch marks are first formed because of the ripping of the dermis(second) layer, the first layer(the visible one, the one that gets shown to everyone) follows along and stretches and thins itself. Like a domino effect where every piece falls if the first one does.
When the stretching is more or less over, all that remains are vicious red scar like markings. Some people call them claw marks, but they are red stretch marks.
If you just leave it as it is, after a year or a few years depending on your skin, the first layer is slowly rebuilt and tightened. However, in very rare cases does it ever heal completely, so it will always leave behind a white/silver stretch mark, always reminding you and everyone that sees it that you have stretch marks.

You can help the Skin!

If you do indeed have red stretch marks, right now you need to get cracking, right now. Your skin will not wait for when you feel like helping it, it will do its work, however sloppy it may be. So until you still have red stretch marks, start helping it as soon as possible.

Every way to help your skin, like a healthy lifestyle, using minerals and vitamins, creams, even derma-rolling, laser surgery and many more, are the most effective during this time so get doing as soon as possible if you want to ever have a body without those nasty scars.

This is also why some reviews that you can read on certain creams, are almost never completely positive as some creams are only effective against red stretches and barely do anything for older white ones, so as said before, you are in the best time to make the change by helping your skin.

Oh come on, Can we get to the skin helping phase please?

Alright, alright.

Now, what can you do?

You can know all the knowledge of the world, but if you take no action, nothing will change at all.

For this reason, let’s get some pointers!

A before and after picture of following the pointers, with good success.

The following pointers should be followed for the best effect, the more you follow, the better the results will be:

Drink Water / Eat The Right(Healthy) Foods / Be Active (better body performance equals better skin performance, this does not mean to choke yourself on salads)
Use Creams / Whether Homemade or Purchasable (homemade is cheaper, bought is usually better in results)
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize (moisturized skin is a happy skin, and a happy skin = Happy You)
Start As Soon As Possible (read next point)
The Younger You Are, The Better (younger skin is exponentially better at repairing scars, the older you are the slower it gets)
Be Female… 🙂 (as women on average produce more collagen, the main protein of the skin elasticity and healing)
But don’t worry if you’re a man.. (apart from the collagen production, everything works just as well for you)

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