Stretch marks

During pregnancy, the skin of abdomen and breast area does an extreme job. It stretches itself extraordinarily so that in the second half of pregnancy stretch marks or striae distensae may develop. The connective tissue’s ability to stretch can be overstressed and pregnancy can leave stretch marks, also called pregnancy marks or striae gravidarum. It recedes in 50 to 80 percent of women concerned. Such stretch marks may appear also in cases of rapid weight gain by fat deposits or due to hormonal treatments.

Stretch marks are small ruptures or cracks in dermal tissue. It is not quite clear why the elastic fibers of the dermis are overstretched in some women but not in all.

Factors may be the firmness of the connective tissue at the beginning of pregnancy, the extent of mechanical tear, the hormonally caused loosening up of the connective tissue, the size of the baby or genetic factors.

The skin of younger women in general has not many problems to recede. The visible blue-reddish stretch marks fade, turn skin-colored, with a shine of mother of pearl and finally are hardly noticeable.

Repeated pregnancies increase the risk of persistent marks.

Many women perceive stretch marks as flaws. The market offers several products and measures to prevent or to remove stretch marks.

 

Oils for body care during pregnancy

We have taken a look at treatment oils promising to prevent or to remove stretch marks.

As mentioned before, the causes of stretch marks for some part cannot be influenced. However, there are possibilities to support the firmness of the connective tissue. Prevention is essential. Pregnant women should not gain weight too extremely (i.e., they should not eat for two). Other important factors are exercise, gym for pregnant women, plucking massages after showering or bathing to support skin’s metabolism, elasticity and firmness.

Oils, creams, lotions for massage contribute to well-being during pregnancy. Maybe they also promote supple skin even though they cannot give a mark-free guarantee.

In any case, products for pregnant women should be free of possibly harmful substances. In case of good oils that is easy to realize. Most oils do not use preservatives because they are water-free and free of emulsifiers and difficult to degrade silicone.

Pregnant women should avoid potentially allergy-causing fragrant substances (which are listed at the end of the list of ingredients) and mineral oil derivatives (e.g., Paraffinum liquidum) which do not integrate into the natural skin barrier.

Ideally, the oils are of certified biological cultivation; however, in most cases, there is nothing wrong with usual body care or massage oils.

Their main ingredients, according to the declaration, in most products are sunflower oil, soy oil, wheat germ oil, safflower oil, almond oil avocado oil, sesame oil.

Also, the neutral oil Caprylic/Capric-Triglyceride is acceptable. It is a fatty acid ester from purified coconut oil. As well as the other oils mentioned it replenishes lipids, smooths skin, penetrates well, is gentle to skin, spreads well, and in addition, is an alternative to silicone oil and mineral oil

Especially claimed ingredients, often are substances said to prevent stretch marks or to reduce existing stretch marks. To achieve satisfying effects, the oil should be used regularly in combination with a massage; then it can really boost well-being before, during and after pregnancy.

 

Are they effective?

A point often faulted is that only few oils or active ingredients are substantiated by extensive studies. However, in many cases they are based on empirical values.

In the following we give an overview and some comments on some treatment oils and ingredients said to be effective for reducing and preventing stretch marks.

 

In alphabetic order:

Aloe vera

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract has moisture-binding, healing and regeneration promoting effects. Studies with few participants provide some support for the fact that the extract, purely applied on skin, may help to prevent and reduce stretch marks.

Avocado oil

Persea gratissima is rich in vitamins E and A and phytosterols. The oil supports wound healing, keeps skin soft and well hydrated.

Baobab oil

Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil is rich in linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid.

In Senegal, women traditionally use it to smooth the skin. It helps to improve skin’s elasticity and thereby helps to prevent stretch marks.

Centella asiatica

Tiger grass, also called Indian pennyworts or Gotu Kola, provably increases the level of antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione, vitamin E and ascorbic acid, and therefore, is used in creams for stretch marks.

Studies prove the stimulating effect on wound healing, the positive influence on scar tissue building as well as the increasing effect on the production of fibroblasts, fibronectin and collagen and the ability to reduce stretch marks.

Pomegranate extract

Punica granatum works to astringe, to boost regeneration and is an excellent antioxidant.

Rose hip kernel oil

Rosa canina is rich in vitamin C and carotenoids, has astringent and healing-stimulating effects. According to some studies rose hip kernel oil can help to prevent and to reduce stretch marks.

Cacao butter

Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter works as a moisturizer and is used in creams to prevent stretch marks. Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) as well as the cacao tree is a mallow plant and a belongs to the genus theobroma. Because of the contained phytosterols, cupuaçu is used with such claims as: keratolytic, effective for dark spots, firms connective tissue, enhances skin’s elasticity, delays collagen break-down, reduces skin roughness, moisturizes. The enormous water-binding capacity is provable.

Jojoba oil

Simnondsia/ Buxus Chinensis Seed Oil penetrate well into skin and protects against water loss.

Coco nut oil

Cocos Nucifera [Coco Nut] Oil is a good massage oil and strengthens skin’s barrier function.

Cornflower extract

Centaurea cyanus features antioxidative anthocyanins and flavonoids and invigorates the skin.

Macadamia oil

Macadamia Terniflora Seed Oil is ideal as a massage oil, has nurturing, smoothing, hydration-boosting effects and a positive influence on scar tissue.

Almond oil

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil is skin-affine, replenishes lipids, strengthens skin’s barrier, ideal also for baby massage.

Manilkara

The extract of the tropic plant, Manilkara Multinervis Leaf Extract, is said to protect against elastin degradation, to boost the synthesis of proteins involved in elastin production, to increase firmness and elasticity and to prevent stretch marks.

Evening primrose oil

Oenethera biennis contains a large quantity of linolenic acid, promotes the renewal of skin tissue and activates skin metabolism.

Olive oil

Olea europaea is an ideal massage oil with smoothing and lipid-replenishing effects.

Peptides

Peptides strengthen skin structure and should be considered to be used as active agents in products to alleviate stretch marks.

Copper-Tripeptide-1 is only one example. It is declared with following properties: boots collagen and elastin production, boosts fibroblast activity, reduces inflammatory reactions, helps to prevent signs of aging.

Another example is Acetyl Tripeptide-30 Citruline: It is said to have firming and restructuring effects and to reduce stretch marks, to stimulate the synthesis of collagen and elastin and to promote wound healing.

Sea buckthorn

Hippophae rhamnoides contains linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitoleic acid, vitamin C and sterols. It has healing-stimulating, antioxidant and invigorating effects on skin tissue.

Horsetail

Equisetum Arvense contains linoleic acid, oleic acid. Thanks to the high percentage of silicic acid, it firms the connective tissue, tightens the skin tissue and improves skin’s elasticity. The effects are proved by independent studies.

Sloe blossom oil

Prunus spinosa has astringent effects.

Soy oil

Glycine max stimulates elastin synthesis and inhibits elastin-degrading enzymes. There are some independent studies proving the effect.

Sunflower oil

Helianthus annus smooths the skin, strengthens skin barrier, reduces water loss.

Grape seed oil

Vitis vinifera is rich in linoleic acid, supports healing and smooths skin.

Wheat germ oil

Wheat germ oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, contains vitamin E, supports skin repair and is recommendable for dry skin.

 

Cosmacon on stretch marks

Those who want to support their skin before, during and after pregnancy with cosmetic products find a large range of oils or creams and lotions. They are able to care for skin without possibly harmful or irritating ingredients and to support the well-being of mother and child. It has not clearly proved whether they reduce stretch marks or even could cause them to disappear. However, there are some substances based on promising studies. It is essential to use the oils and creams on a regular base. Then they, certainly, could be a preventive and significant contribution to beauty and, above all, well-being.

Cosmacon is ready to advise you.

 

Literature

Striae Distensae Treatment Review and Update.

Lokhande AJ, Mysore V.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019 Jul-Aug;10(4):380-395

Striae distensae in adolescents: A mini review.

Elsedfy H.Acta Biomed. 2020 Mar 19;91(1):176-181

Is it possible to prevent striae gravidarum?

Ersoy E, Ersoy AO, Yasar Celik E, Tokmak A, Ozler S, Tasci Y.J Chin Med Assoc. 2016 May;79(5):272-5

Evaluation of Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with StriaeDistensae.

Aşkın Ö, Özçakır EC, Uzunçakmak TK, Kutlubay Z, Serdaroğlu S.Turk Arch Pediatr. 2021 Sep;56(5):447-450

Risk factors of striae gravidarum in Chinese primiparous women.

Liu L, Huang J, Wang Y, Li Y.PLoS One. 2018 Jun 21;13(6):e0198720