The truth about stretchmarks

Stressed out about stretchmarks? You have no reason to be. Stretchmarks are perfectly normal, not harmful.

Little white lies
Stretchmarks are long, narrow streaks, stripes or lines that develop when your body grows faster than your skin can keep up. This type of scarring is common during pregnancy thanks to rapid weight gain, but can also happen in adolescents who are rapidly growing. They can also appear after you’ve lost a lot of weight, when your skin stretches expansively and can’t bounce back.

Stretchmarks are a different colour and texture to the rest of your skin, and can range from dark purple to bright pink to light grey. These marks typically appear on your stomach, breasts, thighs, upper arms, and buttocks.

Anyone can develop stretchmarks, but they tend to affect women more than men.

Are they dangerous?
Not at all! They may look frightening, and feel itchy or sore at times, but stretchmarks are completely natural and nothing to worry about. Although, it does affect what your skin looks like, which can cause emotional and psychological distress. For some people, stretchmarks can be such a significant cosmetic concern that they affect your quality of life.

Dealing with stretchmarks
You can’t get rid of them, but you can make them less noticeable.

Try a cream or gel designed to treat and minimise stretchmarks or scars. Look for one with collagen and elastin to help tighten your skin. Make sure you use the product as instructed for the best results.
Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to the affected areas. Tanning can make stretchmarks look more obvious, since they’re less likely to tan than the rest of your skin. Too much sun in general can be harmful to your skin, so always make sure you’re covered.
Layer cocoa or Shea butter on your stretchmarks a few times a day. Both cocoa and Shea butter are hydrating, and can boost smoothness and elasticity of the skin.
Massage the affected areas with Vitamin E oil every day. Vitamin E oil can reduce the appearance of unsightly stretchmarks, and prevent them.
Use body make-up to conceal your stretchmarks. Go for a product that matches the colour of your skin, is water-resistant, and contains an SPF.

Your lifestyle choices can also make a difference.

Exercise regularly to avoid weight gain, tone your body, and keep stretchmarks from developing further.
Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. Water can make your skin soft and supple, and restore its elasticity, which can reduce the appearance of stretchmarks.
Eat foods high in Vitamins A and C. These vitamins boost the production of collagen and elastin, which can help heal stretchmarks. Add more oranges, grapefruits, spinach, broccoli, and carrots to your diet.

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