Summer is in full swing — time for lazy days in the sun and refreshing swims! The only downside: your white stretch marks. Your tan tends to make the pale streaks on your thighs, hips, stomach or chest stand out even more. So what can you do? Is concealing them with self-tanner really the answer?
Why do I have white stretch marks?
When they first appear, stretch marks are usually reddish. This is due to the skin’s inflammatory state. In theory, if treated early enough, stretch marks have a chance of fading somewhat. But more often than not, we don’t treat them properly — or we wait too long. Over time, their appearance changes: they turn white. Some women aren’t bothered by this and wear their white stretch marks as part of their personal story. For others, however, stretch marks are a real source of insecurity — especially when warmer weather arrives, bringing sun exposure that makes the pearly white appearance of their stretch marks even more noticeable.
What effect does the sun have on stretch marks?
- First things first: no, the sun does not cause stretch marks. They result from significant and sudden tension on the dermis (weight gain, growth spurts, pregnancy…) and the breaking of collagen fibres — the protein responsible for the skin’s elasticity. Once broken, these fibres cannot regenerate. Stretch marks are there to stay. That said, sun exposure has no direct impact on their formation.
- A word of caution: if your stretch marks are still in the inflammatory stage, it is strongly recommended to avoid sun exposure, as this can cause them to darken.
- The next stage: once the inflammatory phase has passed, stretch marks take on a pearly white hue — and that colour is here to stay. At this point, the dermis suffers a double deficit: a loss of collagen and a lack of pigmentation. A tan will only have one effect: making your stretch marks look even whiter.
- One final tip: stretch marks, like the rest of your skin, require effective and appropriate sun protection before any sun exposure — whether brief or prolonged.
Is self-tanner a good solution for hiding my stretch marks?
So what are your options if you don’t want your stretch marks to stand out? There aren’t many. You can learn to live with them, wrap yourself in a sarong for the rest of your days, avoid the beach altogether — or try to conceal your stretch marks with self-tanner.
Self-tanner is a cosmetic product used to achieve a temporary tan similar to a natural one, without any sun exposure. Since this faux glow offers no UV protection, it’s essential to apply sunscreen before spending time in the sun. In recent years, cosmetic brands have made huge strides in quality: self-tanners are easier to apply and deliver a more even finish.
But when it comes to effectively concealing stretch marks, a few drawbacks remain:
- Since stretch marks are essentially grooves in the skin, applying self-tanner to each one is a tedious task…
- Self-tanner may give your skin a lovely glow, but it won’t fill in the skin irregularities caused by stretch marks.
- Watch out for product quality! Some lower-grade self-tanners leave patchy colour rather than an even, unified tone.
Rather than going all-in on a “conceal at all costs” approach, you might consider blurring your white stretch marks instead — by choosing a pearlescent product containing soft-focus pigments. These pigments, made from mica, pearl or silica powders, work by diffusing light (rather than reflecting it). They act as a visual illusion, softening the appearance of skin irregularities through a play of light. A far more subtle cosmetic technique than a standard self-tanner — with a guaranteed blur effect!
Isn’t it better to treat my stretch marks rather than hide them?
It’s something you’ll hear time and again: it’s better to embrace your body as it is than to try at all costs to hide what you see as flaws. That said, giving your skin quality care is always a worthwhile investment. The Mom’s World routine, enriched with high-quality plant-based ingredients (nourishing oils such as jojoba oil, natural skin-repairing agents like wheat germ, and soothing compounds such as cocoa butter), works to address stretch marks from within. It follows 3 steps:
- A gentle scrub that removes dead cells from the upper layers of the epidermis, allowing the skin to better absorb the benefits of subsequent treatments
- A massage oil , a carefully crafted blend of natural plant oils, to deeply nourish the skin
- A moisturising cream, with plant-based actives, to be applied every other day to keep the dermis well hydrated
After one month of consistent use, you’ll be able to see a real difference in the appearance of your white stretch marks. Skin that looks less streaked, stretch marks that appear less indented, and a more even skin tone.
