Stretch marks are one of the less appealing outcomes of carrying your baby for nine months. About half of pregnant women will develop stretch marks during their pregnancy, usually in the third trimester, reports Perfect Pregnancy. These dark, prominent marks will fade over time, but usually never disappear entirely. Currently, there are many creams and lotions on the market for the prevention of stretch marks. According to Perfect Pregnancy, there is currently no stretch mark prevention cream that is entirely effective. The products mostly serve to relieve discomfort and other stretch mark symptoms. In addition, some of these lotions, if used early enough, may decrease the severity and permanence of your stretch marks.
Palmer's Stretch Mark Cream
Palmer's Stretch Mark Cream is a stretch mark prevention product consisting of cocoa butter, vitamin E, collagen and elastin. A 2008 study by H. Osman and colleagues at the American University of Beirut Medical Center assessed the effectiveness of cocoa butter in preventing stretch marks in 175 pregnant women. The study, published in "BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology," reported that cocoa butter does not appear to prevent stretch marks. The New York Times notes, however, that creams containing vitamin E do appear to prevent stretch marks. Palmer's does contain vitamin E.
Tummy Honey Cream
Made by Bella B, Tummy Honey Cream can be used during or after pregnancy to reduce stretch marks, reports Perfect Pregnancy. This product also features cocoa butter, which the New York Times notes is of questionable value in preventing stretch marks. It also contains vitamins C, E and B5. This product also contains anti-itch ingredients, according to the company's website.
Retinol Cream and AHAs
Although skin creams containing retinol and alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, are not strictly intended for stretch mark prevention, they can play a role in reducing the severity and prominence of new stretch marks. One such popular cream is Retin-A. Retin-A contains tretinoin, a form of vitamin A which is used for various skin conditions. You should not use Retin-A or any alpha hydroxy acid creams while you are pregnant or nursing.
References
- Perfect Pregnancy: Creams and Lotions for Pregnancy Stretch Marks
- The New York Times: The Claim: Cocoa Butter can Remove Stretch Marks
- Bella B: Tummy Honey Cream
- "BJOG"; Cocoa Butter Lotion for Prevention of Striae Gravidarum: a Double-blind, Randomised and Placebo-controlled Trial; H. Osman, et al.; August 2008
