A pregnancy takes its tall on your body in different ways. One of which includes the changes in your skin. Some of which include acne, melasma (also known as “mask of pregnancy”), pregnancy glow, Varicose veins, Spider veins, Linea nigra, stretch marks and other more or less pleasant changes. Not all women experience changes to their skin, but it is likely to occur, more so to lighter skinned women.

Stretch marks, also called striae gravidarum, are caused by excessive stretching of the skin accompanied by hormone changes. The hormone relaxin, that causes collagen levels in skin fibers to drop, makes the skin more vulnerable to getting stretch marks. The type of extreme stretching of the skin mostly happens during the third trimester, though it can happen earlier.

Pregnancy related stretch marks will usually develop on the abdomen, though it is common to get them on the buttocks, hips, breasts and thighs as well.  Therefore, if you choose to use lotion / butter / other products in attempt to avoid getting them, make sure you ‘attack’ all the above areas at minimum.

Will lotions and the like make a difference?

It is said that cocoa butter, vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acids lotions and other products are helpful in preventing the appearance of stretch marks. As of today, no method is medically proven to have a direct effect on the appearance of stretch marks, so don’t expect miracles. At the same time, it never hurts to try – at a bare minimum (no pun intended) these lotions may help relive the itchiness of the skin caused by the excessive stretching.

Who will get them?

Your genetic make up is key in knowing weather or not you should expect stretch marks, and if so, how sever they may be. However, your lifestyle and diet may have an impact on the elasticity of your skin as well.

If all else fails, you can be comforted by the fact that with time your stretch marks will fade to some degree. Tanning will help conceal them as well. But simply accepting them as a part of the changes you had to go through on your way to motherthood is the best approach..