It doesn’t matter whether you’re pregnant, experiencing weight
fluctuations or a growth spurt, stretch marks are a universal (and
unisex) problem.
Stretch marks, as the name suggests, occur when skin is
stretched quicker than normal. When this happens collagen and elastin,
which keeps skin supple, struggles to produce at the same rate as the
stretching, which tears the middle layer, or dermis, of the skin. They
begin as red or purple marks, which fade to silvery white lines and a
slight groove in the surface of the skin. It is for this reason that
people with darker skin often have the most prominent stretch marks. The
good thing is they’re completely harmless – they just don’t look too
appealing.
Cosmetic skin doctor and medical director of Cosmedics Skin
Clinics, Dr Ross Perry, advises to take precautions early. He says:
“Stretch marks are quite a challenge to treat as they are a form of scar
tissue. Prevention is definitely better than cure, so being aware of
the dangers of their causes is one factor, while also moisturising and
massaging the skin can be helpful, particularly during pregnancy.” For
very deep, long-standing depressions, Dr Perry suggests treating with
microneedling or laser, but he believes the act of applying stretch mark
creams has a localised benefit as the massage stimulates blood supply
in the area.
1. Mama Mio Goodbye Stretch Marks Cream, 100ml:John Lewis
Dubbed the “pregnancy experts,” a tagline it write on each of
its bottles, Mamo Mio makes real breakthroughs with stretch mark-prone
skin, not just for pregnant women but everyone. The instructions suggest
using a thin layer over the stretch mark but we suggest using a bit
more than that, and providing you use three times a day, by four weeks
you will notice a real change. It rubs in effortlessly and has an
uplifting, light minty scent. A great one for people with weight loss
and puberty stretch marks. It’s got all sorts of potent ingredients,
from plant-derived sepicalm VG to lighten skin, a fruit extract emblica
to even out skin tone and matrixyl 3000 to stimulate collagen. Buy now
2. Natura Bisse Essential Shock Intense Dermarepair, 200ml: , Beauty by Anya
This Spanish skincare brand has developed a stretch mark
cream that instantly absorbs into the skin with no residue and a light,
unassuming powdery scent. Thoroughly massaged into skin morning and
evening, not only do lines start to fade but the overall texture of the
skin changes, becoming smoother to the touch. This transformation can
happen in a month. The price tag reflects its impressive list of
ingredients, namely gotu kola, a plant from Asia that improves
circulation, tamanu oil that helps to heal and form new tissue and black
crowberry, a plant that works to protect skin fibres. It’s safe to use
during pregnancy, but we’d recommend this cream for anyone who has
newer, red stretch marks as they will disappear effortlessly. Buy now
3. Apotherderm Stretch Mark Cream, 160g: John Bell and Croyden
One of the strongest of the selection, scientific skincare
brand Apothederm is not advised to use during pregnancy. This is because
of the patented SmartPeptide technology in the cream, a collection of
peptides that aim to brighten, smooth and build collagen back up in
areas where lines have formed. It claims visible results within two
weeks, but there was no real change until week four when the results
were a much smoother skin texture and a visible reduction in the
prominence of lines. It is a thick cream, so takes a good three to five
minutes to thoroughly rub in the skin. Due to its potency, it’s a good
option for people with really stubborn stretch marks. Buy now
4. Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil, 20ml: Holland and Barrett
The beauty about certified natural cosmetic brand Trilogy is
that there is no scientific jargon to get your head around — it is
simply 100 per cent rosehip seed oil. The scent of rosehip is quite
memorable with an earthy amber fragrance, which some people may find
off-putting. But if you don’t mind it, a couple of drops on the marks
morning and evening will do the trick. It absorbs easily, although rub
in well as you don’t want oil residue on your clothes. As rosehip oil is
certified organic, it is not going to be as effective on long-standing
stretch marks as the more scientific products. But that should not put
you off as for pregnant women, anyone with less pronounced lines and
vegans and vegetarians, this is the winner. Buy now
5. StriVectin Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks and Wrinkles, 135ml:
Another powerhouse of a cream, developed by cutting-edge skin
scientists, it was initially developed for stretch marks before
realising that the formula smoothed out wrinkles too. Since then, it’s
been used for both and works in equal measure as essentially it is
putting collagen back into areas that have been stripped of it. As a
skin repairer, this is great for both men and women, although not
advised for those who are pregnant or breast feeding, or who have
sensitive skin. As a test, apply some cream to your hand and watch the
skin tighten almost immediately. After a month of applying to stretch
marks night and day, the same effect happens, with the overall evening
out of skin texture using oligopeptides that pump collagen back into the
areas that have been weakened and StriVectin’s patented NIA-114 formula
to strengthen the skin. Buy now
6. Pai Pomegranate and Pumpkin Seed Stretch Mark System: for 200ml cream and 100ml oil, Pai Skincare
August 16, 2018
