If you’re expecting, you already know that pregnancy, while a source of immense joy, also comes with its share of everyday discomforts. Skin concerns are among them: dryness or, on the contrary, acne flare-ups, melasma, itching… and the possibility of stretch marks. Not those, you promised yourself! Here’s everything you need to know about stretch marks during and after pregnancy.
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What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks are skin lesions caused by sudden, intense stretching of the skin’s elastic fibres. The connective tissue of the deep dermis is made up of countless fibres that provide the skin with both resistance (collagen) and elasticity (elastin). But when subjected to significant tension, these fibres can break. The visible result of these ruptures is stretch marks.
Stretch marks appear as striae of varying widths, sometimes quite deep, and their colour changes depending on how recent they are (pink, red or purple during the inflammatory stage, then white once healed). Painless and soft to the touch, they are difficult to fade. Why? Once broken, collagen and elastin fibres don’t truly “repair” themselves. The skin simply produces new elastic fibres, often finer than the previous ones…
Why do stretch marks appear during pregnancy?
During a first pregnancy, 50 to 70% of women notice the appearance of stretch marks. Several factors explain why they develop.
1. The most obvious reason: weight gain
Naturally, a pregnant woman gains weight as the months go by. The rapid growth of the baby in the womb subjects the skin to constant and intense stretching. Sometimes the dermis holds up. Sometimes it doesn’t. When it doesn’t, stretch marks appear on the belly skin of the expectant mother. There’s no hard rule, but it does seem that younger, fairer skin types are more at risk.
Pregnancy can also sometimes lead to weight gain around the hips and thighs. Stretch marks may therefore appear in these areas too.
Finally, the chest of a pregnant and/or breastfeeding woman is also subject to an increase in volume. The reasons include:
- The mammary glands, which enlarge in preparation for milk production.
- The milk ducts, which carry milk from the mammary glands to the nipples, multiply.
- Blood and lymphatic circulation, which supports proper mammary gland function, intensifies.
The skin of the breasts, which is very thin and delicate, can be particularly strained by this sudden increase in volume… and give way in places. The appearance of stretch marks on the chest in pregnant and/or breastfeeding women is therefore a widespread phenomenon.
2. The specific case of pregnancy stretch marks on the belly
As mentioned, when it comes to pregnancy stretch marks, there’s no fairness involved. It’s very hard to predict whether a woman will develop them or not. Belly stretch marks during pregnancy often appear from the 5th month onwards. The early stages of pregnancy are not risk-free either, but the tension on the belly skin increases steadily month by month, reaching its peak in the 9th month. This is why it’s essential to apply a stretch mark oil to help prevent their appearance.
What’s more, belly stretch marks can appear after delivery, or even at the end of the breastfeeding period. As for their location, they mainly extend from the pubic area to the navel and can sometimes spread to the love handle area.
Technically, what happens during pregnancy? Weight gain in the belly area is primarily due to the development of the foetus in the uterus. But other factors come into play: the weight of the placenta, the umbilical cord, the membranes and the amniotic fluid. Add to this the significant increase in uterine volume, possible localised water retention and fat storage. Under such weight, combined with intense pressure and the baby’s movements, the belly skin is put under considerable strain. And although female hormones promote skin hydration and smooth muscle relaxation at this time, the physical changes are so significant that the skin can give way.
What about the post-partum period? Because yes, belly stretch marks can appear after pregnancy! Their development is multifactorial:
- the sudden skin laxity is hard on the dermis. The tension on the elastic fibres stops abruptly, causing the dermis to weaken significantly;
- the post-partum period, breastfeeding and the return of menstruation are particularly prone to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Zinc deficiency is an obvious example — this trace element is essential for skin healing and restoration. It’s no surprise, then, that stretch marks can appear unexpectedly on the belly during these periods;
- the hormonal crash is also a plausible explanation for post-pregnancy belly stretch marks. During gestation, oestrogen and progesterone rise progressively, peaking just before delivery. They trigger a whole range of physical changes: tissue relaxation, vasodilation, increased blood flow, water retention, hyperpigmentation… After delivery, this remarkable hormonal surge stops abruptly. The dermatological consequences of this sudden drop are often visible and striking: skin that is thin, dry, dull and fragile — the perfect breeding ground for stretch marks to appear on the belly.
3. Pregnancy: a hormonal upheaval
The hormonal environment is a key factor in the development of stretch marks. And pregnancy is a period particularly prone to endocrine fluctuations. Among the hormones involved, cortisol. Between the 3rd and the 9th month of pregnancy, a woman’s cortisol levels are 50% higher than normal. They then return to normal levels within 8 to 10 days after delivery.
Cortisol, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, is naturally made by the body. Often called the “stress hormone”, it actually helps the body respond effectively to life’s challenges by regulating blood sugar and the release of lipids and proteins needed for the body to function properly. To support healthy embryo development, the pregnant woman’s body naturally produces more cortisol than usual. However, elevated cortisol inhibits the proliferation of fibroblasts — the cells responsible for producing skin collagen. The effect is mechanical: as blood cortisol levels rise, the skin’s resistance and elasticity are weakened. Collagen fibres become fragile, and stretch marks are likely to appear.
4. Dry skin during pregnancy
Another possible reason for stretch marks during pregnancy is dry skin. Indeed, some pregnant women notice changes in their skin’s nature and quality:
- Excess sebum and acne
- Changes in pigmentation and the appearance of patches on the face (the well-known pregnancy mask, or chloasma)
- Unexpected redness and telangiectasia, caused by very active microcirculation
- Dry skin with itching and roughness
If the lack of hydration becomes too significant and dry skin persists, stretch marks may ultimately develop.
How to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy?
Preventing pregnancy stretch marks is no easy task. Some of their causes are simply beyond our control — hormonal fluctuations being a prime example. That said, rest assured: there are several beneficial steps you can take for your skin and body.
1. Stay well hydrated
To avoid the discomforts of dry skin and the appearance of stretch marks, proper hydration is essential:
- From within: the best hydrator is water! Don’t skimp on it — aim to drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day. You can also supplement with fresh juices, broths, herbal teas or lightly brewed tea. Foods rich in water, such as fruits and vegetables, are also great allies. During pregnancy, be mindful of your coffee intake: in addition to being a stimulant, it’s a diuretic that promotes dehydration.
- From the outside: it’s equally important to hydrate your skin externally, by applying products (plant oils, plant butters or creams) rich in essential fatty acids. Application should be accompanied by a massage of at-risk areas and, why not, some firm pinching — such as Jacquet pinching, which boosts microcirculation and stimulates the dermis. Our Stretch Mark Oil is perfectly designed for this purpose: its unique formula helps prevent the appearance of pregnancy stretch marks. It is also formulated to be perfectly tolerated by pregnant and/or breastfeeding women.
2. Focus on the right nutrients
Preventing stretch marks also starts on your plate. By including foods rich in beneficial nutrients and antioxidants in your diet, you reduce the risk of skin lesions developing. Focus on:
- Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, kiwi, berries, bell peppers and parsley.
- Vitamin A, or retinol, found in dairy products (pasteurised, if you’re pregnant!) and liver (poultry, veal or monkfish).
- Vitamin E, found in oily fish (salmon, sardines — make sure they’re well cooked!), nuts (almonds, hazelnuts) and avocado.
- Vitamin B5, found in wheat germ, brewer’s yeast and offal.
- Copper, found in certain cooked shellfish (whelks, periwinkles) and cocoa.
- Zinc, found in whole grains, cashews and pecans.
- Silicon, found mainly in dehydrated preparations (additives in powdered sauces and soups, freeze-dried coffee).
3. Keep up physical activity, even gentle exercise
Pregnancy doesn’t usually prevent you from continuing to exercise. Physical activity offers many benefits for expectant mothers. Not only does it help maintain a healthy weight — and as mentioned, pregnancy weight gain contributes to stretch marks — but it also plays a role in skin quality:
- by stimulating veno-lymphatic circulation
- by lowering cortisol levels
- by boosting the elasticity of the dermis
Opt for gentle activities such as walking, stretching, swimming and/or yoga.
How to reduce pregnancy stretch marks?
Despite adequate preventive measures, stretch marks may still appear during or after pregnancy. These inflammatory stretch marks — red or purple — call for targeted care.
1. How to prevent them from worsening?
Continue with the measures already in place: hydration, movement, a healthy diet. Also avoid any aggravating factors: sun exposure, excessive weight gain through overeating (no, being pregnant doesn’t mean eating for two!), and sugar consumption. Finally, pregnancy should go hand in hand with calm and serenity. Avoid unnecessary sources of stress, which could contribute to a rise in blood cortisol levels.
2. Choosing the right stretch mark treatments
Extra care and attention should be given to your skin. The appearance of stretch marks may indicate that the dermis hasn’t been sufficiently nourished. So:
- Opt for natural plant oils. Some oils have nourishing, soothing and repairing properties that are particularly beneficial for stretch mark care. The oils of jojoba, avocado, sweet almond or olive can be used daily on the skin.
- Be cautious with essential oils! While some are very beneficial for stretch marks, they are not without side effects, which could impact foetal development in utero.
- Plant butters, such as shea or cocoa butter, are also beneficial for skin marked by inflammatory stretch marks.
- Daily application of a moisturising and soothing cream is also recommended to help fade early pregnancy stretch marks, as it helps slow their progression.
- Gentle scrubs — and definitely not abrasive exfoliants, which weaken the dermis! — can also be beneficial, as they prepare the skin to absorb the hydration it needs. Moreover, massage stimulation encourages collagen production.
3. Adopting an effective routine throughout pregnancy
We offer a complete stretch mark routine, fully compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding. The Stretch Mark Pack includes everything you need to prevent and reduce pregnancy stretch marks.
- The Stretch Mark Scrub, enriched with wheat germ (vitamin B5), mango (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant) and bamboo (vitamins A and C, silicon), activates microcirculation, removes dead skin cells and prepares the skin to receive nourishing and restorative treatments.
- The Stretch Mark Cream, enriched with macadamia oil and cocoa butter, helps boost the skin’s natural elasticity. Its velvety texture is perfectly suited to the sensitive skin of expectant mothers.
- The Stretch Mark Care Oil, a carefully crafted blend of four natural plant oils, gives the delicate skin of pregnant women the protection, softness and capacity for healing and regeneration it needs. Applied daily, it helps visibly prevent and reduce pregnancy stretch marks.
95% of women who used the Stretch Mark Pack noticed a visible reduction in their stretch marks (both old and recent)!
