Pregnancy
Stretch marks in pregnancy: why they appear and what skin care can do
Stretch marks can appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips or thighs and are part of pregnancy for many women. Whether you develop them can only be influenced to a limited extent. Creams, oils and massage can feel pleasant and care for the skin – but current evidence does not show that they reliably prevent pregnancy stretch marks.
What stretch marks in pregnancy actually are
Pregnancy stretch marks are medically known as striae gravidarum. They belong to the broader group of stretch marks that can also appear at other stages of life when the body changes over a relatively short period.
The visible lines result from changes in deeper layers of the skin. Mechanical stretching plays a part, but the process is more complex than the idea that the skin surface simply “tears”. The properties of connective tissue, hormonal changes and individual predisposition also influence whether stretch marks develop and how noticeable they become.
Depending on skin tone, fresh stretch marks are often pink, reddish, purple or darker. Over time they fade and may become lighter than the surrounding skin.
Stretch marks are not a sign that you have cared for your skin incorrectly or not enough.
Where and when pregnancy stretch marks can appear
Stretch marks on the abdomen are the best known. Pregnancy also changes other areas of the body, so they can likewise appear on the breasts, hips, buttocks or thighs.
- Abdomen and lower abdomen
- Breasts
- Hips
- Buttocks
- Thighs
There is no specific week of pregnancy when the first marks must appear. They often develop in the second half or final third of pregnancy as the abdomen and baby grow more quickly. Some women notice them earlier, others only shortly before birth – and some do not develop visible pregnancy stretch marks at all.
Why some pregnant women develop stretch marks and others do not
There is no single factor that can reliably predict whether stretch marks will appear. Studies instead show associations with several personal and pregnancy-related factors.
| Factor | Possible association | Can you influence it? |
|---|---|---|
| Family predisposition | pregnancy stretch marks are more common when there is a family history | no |
| Individual skin and connective tissue | influences how the tissue responds to physical changes | hardly |
| Age | younger age has been associated with a higher risk in studies | no |
| Changes in the abdomen and breasts | greater tissue stretching may make stretch marks more likely | not directly |
| Weight development | greater weight gain is associated with a higher occurrence | only partly |
| Baby’s size or birth weight | higher birth weight has been associated with striae in studies | not directly |
The factors you cannot influence are especially important when putting stretch marks into perspective. Two pregnant women can care for their skin in similar ways and eat similarly – yet develop very different numbers of stretch marks.
Can stretch marks be prevented during pregnancy?
Based on current evidence, there is no reliable way to prevent pregnancy stretch marks. Various creams, lotions and oils have been studied, but the available research does not provide high-quality evidence that they prevent stretch marks reliably.
This is an important distinction from ordinary skin care. A cream or oil can moisturise dry skin, make tightness feel more comfortable and turn applying skin care into a pleasant daily ritual. That does not automatically mean the product can prevent changes in the deeper layers of the skin.
It is therefore more helpful not to view skin care through the promise of a “stretch-mark-free pregnancy”. Care for your skin in a way that feels good to you, regardless of whether stretch marks later become visible.
Oil, cream and massage: what they can actually do
As your abdomen grows, the skin may feel drier, tighter or more sensitive. In that case, there is nothing wrong with using a simple, well-tolerated moisturiser. You do not necessarily need a special pregnancy product.
A few practical points can help you choose:
- The product should feel comfortable on your skin and should not cause irritation.
- If your skin is dry, a moisturising cream or lotion may feel better than very light skin care.
- An oil can leave the skin feeling comfortable when applied while it is still slightly damp.
- If smells become unpleasant during pregnancy, an unfragranced product may be more suitable.
- Avoid products containing active ingredients that are not recommended during pregnancy.
A gentle massage can also be part of your skin-care routine if it feels good. It does not need to be vigorous or follow a particular technique. There is no reason to present the often-promoted pinching massage as a necessary measure against pregnancy stretch marks.
A simple skin-care routine without anti-stretch-mark promises
You do not need a complicated multi-step routine for your bump. If you would like to care for your skin regularly, a simple routine that suits your everyday life and your skin is enough.
- Cleanse gently: Very hot water and strongly degreasing cleansers can make dry skin feel even more stressed.
- Use cream or oil as needed: Skin care can feel particularly pleasant after showering while the skin is still slightly damp.
- Massage only as much as feels good: Gentle circular movements are enough. A special pinching or brushing technique is not necessary.
- Watch your skin: If a product burns, causes clear redness or another skin reaction, stop using it.
- Keep expectations realistic: You can influence your skin-care routine and comfort – whether stretch marks develop only to a very limited extent.
That last point can take some pressure off. A consistent routine can be something that feels good without its success being measured later by the number of visible stretch marks.
Nutrition, fluids and exercise matter – but are not anti-stretch-mark therapy
Eating a balanced diet, drinking enough and staying regularly active are sensible parts of a healthy pregnancy. These recommendations are often also linked to the promise that they can prevent stretch marks. The evidence for that claim is not convincing.
You therefore do not need to drink unusually large amounts of water or take specific foods, vitamins or supplements to keep your connective tissue “stretch-mark free”. Instead, follow the general recommendations for balanced nutrition during pregnancy.
The same applies to exercise. Physical activity can have many positive effects on wellbeing and fitness, but it is not a reliable way to prevent stretch marks. If you would like to know which activities and levels of intensity may be suitable in an uncomplicated pregnancy, read our guide to exercise during pregnancy.
And if your growing bump is putting more strain on your back or pelvis than on your skin, our guide to back pain in pregnancy can help you understand the symptoms and find ways to ease strain.
Do not manage pregnancy weight gain around stretch marks
Greater weight gain during pregnancy has been associated in studies with a higher occurrence of pregnancy stretch marks. This should not be turned into a recommendation to gain as little weight as possible or to restrict weight because you are worried about striae.
What represents appropriate weight development depends, among other things, on your starting weight and the individual course of your pregnancy. General statements such as “you must not gain more than X kilograms” are therefore unsuitable for a general advice article.
Pregnancy is particularly not a time to start a self-directed diet in order to prevent stretch marks. Weight development and nutrition belong within normal pregnancy care – visible skin marks are not a measure of whether you are doing pregnancy “right”.
What happens to stretch marks after birth?
Fresh pregnancy stretch marks usually stand out more clearly because of their colour. After birth they normally change gradually: red, purple or darker tones fade and the marks become visually closer to the surrounding skin.
This takes time. How quickly and how much stretch marks fade varies from person to person. After several months they are often much less noticeable than shortly before or after birth.
They often do not disappear completely, however. Lighter lines with a slightly different texture may remain. This is a normal development and not a sign that your skin has “recovered” poorly.
Treating stretch marks that are already there
If stretch marks continue to bother you after pregnancy, dermatological treatments can sometimes improve their appearance. Realistic expectations are important: even professional treatments usually cannot make striae disappear completely.
Depending on the type, age and colour of the marks, options can include different laser treatments or microneedling. Which method is suitable depends on factors such as skin type and the individual findings and should be assessed by a dermatologist.
Active ingredients also require care: not everything used to treat skin outside pregnancy is suitable during pregnancy. Retinoids and retinol-containing skin care should not be used during pregnancy. If you want to start targeted treatment after birth and are breastfeeding, discuss suitable ingredients and procedures with a healthcare professional first.
Stretch marks are not a skin-care failure
Few normal pregnancy changes are discussed as often using words such as “prevent”, “fight” or “get rid of”. This can easily create the impression that stretch marks could be avoided if you only moisturised consistently enough, ate the right foods or exercised enough.
It is not that simple. A substantial proportion of the factors that influence whether striae appear are outside your control. The way your skin looks after pregnancy therefore says nothing about how well you cared for your body.
You can moisturise, massage and care for your bump because it feels good. You can also choose to spend very little time on it. Stretch marks can develop either way – and they are one of many possible visible changes that can accompany pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions about “Stretch marks in pregnancy: why they appear and what skin care can do”
There is no fixed time. Pregnancy stretch marks often become visible in the second half or final third of pregnancy as the abdomen and other areas grow more. They can also appear earlier, later or not at all.
No method has been shown to reliably prevent pregnancy stretch marks. Predisposition, connective tissue and individual physical changes play a major role and can only be influenced to a limited extent.
Creams and oils can care for dry or tight skin and make it feel more comfortable. There is no high-quality evidence, however, that topical skin-care products reliably prevent pregnancy stretch marks.
There is no particular oil that has been shown to prevent pregnancy stretch marks. If you want to use an oil, good skin tolerance and a feel you like matter more than a specific anti-stretch-mark promise.
A gentle massage can feel pleasant and be part of your skin-care routine. There is no evidence that pinching massage in particular reliably prevents pregnancy stretch marks, so you do not need to use this technique.
They generally become lighter over time and therefore less noticeable. They often do not disappear completely and may remain as lighter lines with a slightly different texture.
Stretch marks usually cannot be removed completely. Dermatological treatments such as certain laser procedures or microneedling may improve their appearance depending on the type of marks.
No. Weight development is only one of several influencing factors. Predisposition, skin and connective tissue properties, age and individual stretching also play a role. The number of stretch marks does not show whether your weight development was appropriate.
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