Stretch Marks: Prevention and Treatment
Worried about stretch marks? You’re not alone. Up to 90% of women get stretch marks during pregnancy and weight changes. These narrow stripes form when our skin stretches faster than the skin’s structural collagen can keep up. While some wear their tiger stripes with pride, they can also irritate sensitive skin and leave some feeling self-conscious. The good news? Certain stretch marks can fade over time, especially with targeted skincare. Read on to learn what causes these marks, which types of marks you can minimize, and how to keep your skin stretch-free in the future.
Be sure to take our skin type quiz so you can find the best products for treating striae on your skin type!
What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks, also known as Striae are lines or streaks that appear on the skin when it expands or contracts rapidly. They occur when the middle layer of skin tears from sudden growth. (8) Stretch marks are often red, purple, pink, or brown in color initially. Over time they may fade to a silvery-white color. They are commonly found on the belly during pregnancy, but can occur on the thighs, hips, breasts, upper arms, and buttocks as well. Men bulking up from either the gym or a robust diet might also find striae developing on their bodies. (9)
What causes stretch marks?
The rapid stretching of the skin causes stretch marks. This stretching can happen from sudden weight gain or loss, pregnancy, rapid growth spurts during adolescence, or bodybuilding. (10) Genetics also play a role. Some people are just prone to developing stretch marks while others aren’t. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, puberty, or bodybuilding can increase striae risk too since hormones soften connective tissue and skin loses elasticity.
Preventing stretch marks
While some stretch marks are inevitable during growth phases like puberty and pregnancy, keeping the skin supple and elastic can reduce their formation.(6) Moisturizing daily with creams, oils, or butters containing ingredients like cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil help keep skin resilient. These nourishing ingredients provide fatty acids, antioxidants, and compounds that attract moisture. Well-hydrated and supple skin increases flexibility to better endure stretching without tearing. Gentle skin massage while applying moisturizers can support circulation and stimulate collagen too. Consistent hydration both internally (with water) and externally is key for keeping skin strong enough to avoid stretch mark emergence during rapid growth periods.
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Stretch mark removal
Early stretch marks that are still red/purple may fade over one to two years. Mature white striae are permanent indentations where too much skin was stretched out. No treatment can remove mature white stretch marks, but laser treatments can improve appearance by stimulating new collagen production to plump indented scars. (1,2,6)
Red or purple stretch marks
New stretch marks start out red, purple, pink or brown. At this stage they may sting or feel irritated. The color comes from blood vessels showing through tear/injury sites. Only fresh striae have potential to be reversed since the dermis is still intact – just inflamed from moderate injury. (9) If you want to laser away stretch marks- you need to do it while they are still red/purple.
White stretch marks
Over time, untreated red stretch marks turn silvery-white. Once a stretch mark has turned white, this means the dermis is permanently torn. White striae feel smooth, with a dent-like appearance. They cannot be removed by any laser, acid, or treatment. Some improvement in appearance is possible through procedures that plump indented scars. (9,10)
Stretch marks during pregnancy
Up to 90% of women develop stretch marks during pregnancy, (3) often on the belly and breasts. Pregnancy stretch marks emerge during the sixth or seventh month when skin rapidly expands. Hormones like cortisol and estrogen reduce collagen levels, compromising skin elasticity. (4) Staying hydrated and using moisturizers may reduce stretch marks. (5)
How to treat stretch marks
The only stretch marks that can be treated are recent ones still red/purple. (6) Pulsed dye lasers work well by increasing collagen production which plumps indented scars. Retinoids (derived from Vitamin A) like tretinoin stimulate new collagen too. (2,7) Alpha hydroxy acids chemically exfoliate to reveal smoother skin. (1) Just staying hydrated and massaging in nourishing oils/creams can prevent emergence of new stretch marks.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article helped you understand why stretch marks form, what types of marks can be treated, and how you can work to prevent and minimize their appearance. No one is immune to stretch marks but knowing your risk factors and taking proactive skincare steps can reduce your chances.
We all have unique skin, so what helps or harms one person’s stretch mark situation won’t necessarily apply to another’s. For personalized advice tailored to your exact Skin Type, start by taking our simple skincare quiz in the link below. In around 5 minutes you’ll have your Baumann Skin Type profile, and use this to browse skincare just right for your skin’s needs, including stretch mark creams if that’s your top concern right now!
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
