If you’ve had a baby, you may be wondering if you will always have pregnancy stretch marks. A whopping 90% of women get stretch marks as a result of pregnancy, so you’re not alone.
It’s no wonder this is such a common occurrence. After all, stretch marks occur when your body stretches faster than your skin can keep up, and few things stretch a body more than carrying a baby for nine months.
Who is Most Apt to Get Them?
Women are more prone to get them if your mother had stretch marks, as genetics plays a role, or if you have a lighter complexion.
The average weight gain over a nine-month period is about 30 pounds and the most affected areas are often the breasts and belly. However, they can also appear on the thighs, upper arms and buttocks. Stretch marks often start out purple or reddish and then gradually fade to white or gray after pregnancy.
However, all women are different so the amount of stretch marks and the deepness in color one woman experiences may differ greatly to the next woman.
Can I Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?
There are a lot of creams and lotions that claim to prevent stretch marks but unfortunately, it’s impossible to prevent them. That said, there are some things you can do to help make your skin feel better or look smoother and less itchy.
- Maintain a healthy weight, whether you’re pregnant or not. If you’re pregnant, try to keep within a 25-35 pound total weight gain and gain the weight slowly and steadily as opposed to rapid bursts of weight gain.
- Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
- Use a cream to make your skin feel smoother and to help relieve itchiness that can occur with your growing belly.
- Treat fresh stretch marks as soon as they appear.
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet, including food rich in zinc.
- Soak up some vitamin D.
Will My Stretch Marks Fade?
Yes, the good news is that stretch marks will fade over time, and there are some things you can do to help the process. These include:
- Using a mix of onion extract and hyaluronic acid. Many women claim the combination reduced their marks after 12 weeks of daily use.
- Using retinoid. Your dermatologist can prescribe retinoid to help speed up cell turnover and stimulate new collagen growth. (Note: You can’t use it while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.)
- Laser treatments. In-office laser treatments that heat the skin can boost collagen growth and shrink dilated blood vessels. You may need a number of sessions to see results.
- Dermabrasion. While dermabrasion may not result in a big change, it can help renew the skin.
Stretch marks are a normal part of pregnancy, and today, many women are celebrating their bodies, stretch marks and all — and that’s a beautiful thing!
