You may be familiar with the fact that stretch marks-or stretch marks If you want to sound scientific – very common during and after pregnancy. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with stretch marks, so don’t stress if you already have them. But if you’re looking to minimize them (or treat and fade the stretch marks you already have), we consulted a dermatologist and two ob-gyn doctors for all their best advice. Learn ahead of time everything you need to know about how to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.
meet the experts
- Tiffany clayMD, is a board certified dermatologist in Atlanta.
- Tara ShirazMD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at NYU Langone in New York City.
- Amy WaiteMD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with Pediatrix Medical Group in Atlanta.
What are stretch marks?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, stretch marks are scars that appear when the skin shrinks or stretches very quickly. You’re most likely to get stretch marks during a growth spurt, pregnancy, rapid weight loss or gain, or periods of rapid muscle growth, such as when weight training.
As for the science behind stretch marks, the skin contains proteins (called collagen and elastin) support it and allow it to stretch. But when the skin expands or stretches very quickly, these proteins break down and stretch marks appear.
When stretch marks pop up, the skin may appear thinner, or stretch marks may appear as sunken lines on the skin. Depending on your skin tone or how long you have had stretch marks, they can be red, purple, silver, white, dark gray or black. “In lighter skin, they’re usually red at first and gradually turn white or lighter, while in darker skin, they may start out very dark or hyperpigmented and gradually turn light brown,” says Get board-certified dermatologist says Tiffany clay,Medical PhD.
Why Stretch Marks Appear During Pregnancy
stretch marks are common Pregnant Due to a combination of fluctuating hormone levels, skin stretching, and genetics. They are most likely to appear in the third trimester, when the skin is at its tightest. “During pregnancy, the body produces higher levels of hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which weaken the skin’s elasticity and make it more prone to stretch marks,” explains the board-certified ob-gyn Tara Shiraz,Medical PhD. But that’s not all: “In addition, weight gain during pregnancy can lead to the development of stretch marks, especially in areas where the skin stretches most, such as the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, and thighs.”
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, stretch marks can be hereditary, so if someone in your family has them, you may also be at a higher risk for them.
Can You Prevent Stretch Marks?
There’s no way to 100 percent prevent stretch marks during pregnancy, but there are steps you can take to reduce their likelihood and minimize their appearance when they appear. “Stretch marks during pregnancy are difficult to impossible to prevent, as 50-90 percent of pregnant women report some form of stretch marks,” says board-certified ob-gyn Amy Waite,Medical PhD. “This is because other factors associated with stretch mark formation — including genetics, hormonal changes, skin type, and how the skin on your belly must stretch to make room for your growing baby — can affect whether stretch marks develop, or Make an impact on what. Stretch marks will show up.” Fortunately, you have a number of options to reduce the likelihood of stretch marks and minimize their appearance.
