Stretch Marks Q&A

February 19th, 2009 | Posted in: Skincare |

Stretch Marks Q&A

Is there any “truth” in using that Vitamin E or Coco Butter on yourself while you’re pregnant to diminish your stretch marks?

Striae, or stretch marks, affect the majority (50-90%) of pregnant women. They occur when your skin cannot keep up with a rapid growth, like pregnancy or rapid weight gain. Stretch marks occur in the dermis, the elastic middle layer of skin that allows it to retain its shape. However, when constantly stretched, the dermis can break down leaving behind stretch marks.

While pregnant, adequate hydration keeps your skin soft and less likely to develop stretch marks. It not only means that you should moisturize your skin- this is where the belief that using cocoa butter, shea butter, lanolin, or vitamin E oil will help- but drink lots of water as well to hydrate from the inside. You should begin hydrating and moisturizing in the first trimester. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of these products in preventing stretch marks has been shown to be rather limited. On the other hand, caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, or soda can increase your risk of stretch marks.

Stretch marks can also result from nutritional deficiency, so it is very important to eat foods that promote healthy skin. Foods rich in zinc, selenium, protein, and biotin and with high amounts of vitamins A, C, & E, will help maintain the elasticity and strength of your skin.

There are other important factors involved, such as genetics, so if your mother or sister got them during pregnancy, you are more likely to have them too. Adhering to these recommendations won’t guarantee the prevention of stretch marks, but it’s a great place to start!