When it comes to stretch marks, most of us have heard at least one of the following statements:

(To a pregnant friend) “My aunt rubbed olive oil on her tummy and didn’t get any stretch marks.”

“I don’t want to ever be pregnant because I don’t want stretch marks.”

“If you’re not overweight, you won’t get stretch marks.”

Sorry to burst your bubble, ladies, but it’s simply not true. According to health-cares.net, around 90% of pregnant women and 70% of women overall, will get some stretch marks. The causes are not clear but are widely assumed to be related to collagen levels in your skin at the location of the injury.

In fact, that’s essentially what stretch marks are - a scar where your skin has been stretched and damaged that cannot be repaired by topical creams. Stretch marks occur anywhere there has been rapid growth on the body, including gains by pregnancy, obesity, yo-yo dieting, puberty, and bodybuilding. Many scientists believe that genetics play a big role because this type of damage occurs where collagen breaks down. People with weaker collagen or a certain hormonal imbalance are most likely to have them.

Fresh scars appear purplish and irregular; older ones fade into a silvery-white smooth line. They can be enormous or nearly invisible. Tanned skin makes them more noticeable. Many creams claim to prevent marks because they contain collagen; however, collagen cannot be absorbed into the deep layers of skin where the injury starts.

Since you can’t avoid them, your best bet is to minimize the severity before they come.

If you’re pregnant, try to gain weight gradually – don’t play the “I’m eating for two” game – according to your doctor’s recommendation.

Avoid yo-yo dieting

Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

Keep target areas well-moisturized with a rich Cocoa Butter cream like the Body Shop’s Body Butter.




Mamaluv is a ChickAdvisor member and blogger who hates stretch marks but adores the 3 children who gave them to her.

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