Mums, Here's Everything You Need to Know About Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Stretch marks developed during pregnancy are completely normal – don’t worry. Just think of them as a milestone of your beautiful motherhood journey. In fact, it is estimated that between 50 to 90 per cent of women develop stretch marks before giving birth¹.  

While we cherish our pregnancy moments, at times, many mums will admit that they would like to be rid of their stretch marks for cosmetic reasons. However, stretch marks – also known as ‘striae distensae’ in more medical terms – cannot completely disappear. Instead, they fade away in time, or you can improve their visibility if you treat them the right way.

So, here’s what you need to know about pregnancy stretch marks. 

Quick facts to know about pregnancy stretch marks

• Where do stretch marks appear? 

Stretch marks are a common skin problem for pregnant women and they normally appear as streaks or linear lines on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, hips and thighs². 

• When do stretch marks usually develop?

They usually develop after the 24th week of pregnancy. It usually occurs during a woman’s first pregnancy, however, there are cases where stretch marks appear for the first time during the second pregnancy³.  

• How do stretch marks develop?

There are two factors that contribute to stretch marks. The first is related to the physical stretching of the skin as a mum gains weight to accommodate the baby. The second, on the other hand, has been debatable among experts – it factors in the increased levels of hormones. These hormones are said to attract more water to the skin, which in turn, relaxes the bonds of the collagen fibres and makes the skin more prone to tears that essentially form stretch marks⁴. 

• Do all mothers experience pregnancy stretch marks? 

No. The likeliness of experiencing stretch marks during pregnancy depends on various factors including your skin type (the elasticity of your skin) and overall pregnancy weight gain⁵. Stretch marks can also be genetic, according to studies⁶ – so, if your family has a history of getting stretch marks, you may get them too. 

• What do stretch marks look like?

Pregnancy stretch marks can be in various colours and largely depends on your skin tone. They can appear as pink, red, purple or brown marks⁷.  

How to treat pregnancy stretch marks

As we’ve mentioned above – stretch marks are permanent. However, some stretch marks may fade away after your delivery. Although these marks are here to stay, there is a way you can treat them to make them appear less visible. 

Topical treatments are one of the most common ways to treat pregnancy stretch marks – these topical treatments can be bought over-the-counter or easily found on the shelves of local pharmacies. 

This includes products such as the Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil. However, Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil can also be used to prevent stretch marks from forming during pregnancy and it has been safely used by pregnant women for years to maximise the skin’s elasticity, as well as reduce the possibility of stretch marks forming.

Prevent or treat pregnancy stretch marks naturally with Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural)

You have probably heard of the popular Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil. This magic oil in a bottle has become a household must-have amongst pregnant women because of its ability to treat skin issues, especially scars and stretch marks. The best thing is that it is completely safe for pregnant women to apply on areas prone to stretch marks during pregnancy to avoid it from forming in the first place!

But as mummies are becoming more conscious of the ingredients that they put in their bodies, you’ll be glad to know that Bio-Oil® has come up with an all-natural alternative that was rolled out in 2020 – the Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural). 

What is Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural)? 

The Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural), is an all-natural version of the Bio-Oil Skincare Oil – this formulation caters to more conscious consumers, especially mummies. It is 100 per cent natural and uses ingredients with no preservatives, parabens or artificial fragrances or colourants. 

This new, all-natural formulation has the same effect on the skin as Bio-Oil®’s Skincare Oil – the original scar and stretch mark product.

Clinical trials showed that Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural) was the first time a natural product has been proven to match the performance of a category-leading product. This means that it works exactly like the original Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil as it is clinically proven to improve the appearance of scars, uneven skin tone and of course, stretch marks. 

The formulation features a unique blend of base oils, special oils, vitamins, plant extracts essential oils, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients.

Here are the natural oils in Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural)’s formulation:

• Three base oils: Soybean, sunflower seed and safflower seed oil.
• Four specialist oils: Jojoba seed, chia seed, pomegranate seed and inca inchi seed oil.

• Two vitamins: Wheatgerm and rosehip oil.

• Five plant extracts and essential oils: Chamomile, lavender, rosemary, calendula and patchouli oil.

Safflower seed oil, in particular, have shown to improve the appearance of scars in just eight weeks, according to studies⁸. Meanwhile, oils such as jojoba oil help hydrate the skin without clogging pores, while chia seed and pomegranate oils were added to maintain skin health, as well as shun away harmful free radicals. 

A quick TAP review on Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural) 

We recently tried the Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural) and here’s a quick review with three key items on what we think. 

• Texture & Smell: The texture is seemingly much lighter than the original Bio-Oil® Skincare Oil. It seeps into the skin much easier and leaves skin with a nice silky surface. 
• Smell: The smell, compared to its original formulation, is also much lighter with a pleasant earthier tone. 

• Effectiveness: The bottle suggests applying the oil twice daily – once in the morning and once at night for best results. Since doing this, we have noticed that the appearance of small scars on the skin has greatly been improved, while the skin feels hydrated and much more supple to the touch. The skin texture also appears less bumpy in just a few weeks of daily application.  Although this is an oil, it is not as greasy as many would think it is – this is why it is important to massage it on your skin in circular motions until it is fully absorbed.

It is safe to say that we love the all-natural version of the Bio-Oil Skincare Oil. So, if you are interested in giving the Bio‑Oil® Skincare Oil (Natural) a go, you can log on to Bio-Oil Experience and you can also purchase it easily online from Lazada and Shopee!

Reference:

1.  (2016, September 21). The use of anti stretch marks’ products by women in pregnancy: a …. Retrieved May 9, 2021, from https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-016-1075-9
2. (n.d.). Risk factors for the development of striae gravidarum – NCBI – NIH. Retrieved May 9, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1913631/
3. (n.d.). Risk factors for the development of striae gravidarum – NCBI – NIH. Retrieved May 9, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1913631/
4. (n.d.). Pregnancy Stretch Marks | American Pregnancy Association. Retrieved May 9, 2021, from https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-concerns/what-are-pregnancy-stretch-marks-4575/
5. (n.d.). Stretch marks in pregnancy – NHS. Retrieved May 9, 2021, from https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/stretch-marks/
6. (2013, July 11). Genome-Wide Association Analysis Implicates Elastic Microfibrils in …. Retrieved May 11, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3806248/
7. (n.d.). Stretch marks in pregnancy – NHS. Retrieved May 9, 2021, from https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/stretch-marks/
8. (2018, May 3). Applying Safflower, Olive Oil Can Minimize the Appearance of Scars …. Retrieved May 10, 2021, from https://www.allure.com/story/can-applying-safflower-olive-oil-fade-scars
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