They are definitely the most talked-about (and for some, feared) pregnancy skin symptom. With that talk comes fact and fiction on what causes them and what you can do to prevent them. But Heidi Murkoff, What to Expect founder, and her daughter and second-time mom-to-be Emma Bing sit down with dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu to get to the truth about your “tiger stripes.”
What are stretch marks and why do they happen? Why do they affect some women more than others?
During pregnancy, hormones weaken the elastic fibers in your skin. As your belly grows, those fibers stretch and snap, like a rubber band, leaving stretch marks. So the faster your bump grows, the more likely you are to have to deal with stretch marks. Heredity plays a big role in how your skin responds to stretching too, and that’s why stretch marks develop differently for each mom-to-be.
When during your pregnancy do stretch marks appear?
Most moms first see stretch marks around the second trimester, when the skin starts to stretch more. But when they appear depends on how fast your baby bump grows and how much weight you gain.
What can you do to prevent them?
Dr. Wu recommends massaging your stretch marks with almond oil, but says rubbing any other natural oil like cocoa butter or coconut oil on them can help moisturize and strengthen the skin.
Not all skin care products are good for baby, however. Dr. Wu says to steer clear of essential oils that may irritate the skin or be absorbed by it and cause contractions. And though people say they are good for treating stretch marks, retinoids like Retin-A should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Drinking plenty of water can help elastic fibers be more flexible and keep your skin more moisturized, says Dr. Wu. So stay well-hydrated.
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Do stretch marks ever go away?
There is some hope. Stretch marks’ redness will fade after delivery. For some moms, the stretch marks themselves will also disappear (or at least become less noticeable) with the redness, but for others, stretch marks will take on a pale, squiggly appearance. These marks can be a reminder of your body’s amazing work and may not bother you, but for moms who would rather see them go away completely, Dr. Wu suggests looking into treatments after delivery that can help minimize stretch marks. Talk to your doctor if you want to learn more.
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