More than 90 percent of pregnant women get stretch marks -- small, depressed streaks in the skin caused by weight changes in pregnancy -- according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Stretch marks commonly appear on the belly, due to the increasing weight of the baby, but can crop up anywhere you gain weight, including the breasts, hips, buttocks and inner thighs.
Significance
Stretch marks usually appear on the inner thighs in the sixth and seventh months of your pregnancy when the weight of the baby causes small tears in the elastic supportive tissue that lies just beneath your skin. Gaining a lot of weight rapidly, carrying multiples and carrying a big baby increase your risk of developing stretch marks. They also tend to run in families, according to the Babycenter.com website, which cautions that you might be more prone to the marks if your mother or sister also developed them during pregnancy.
Considerations
Stretch marks usually start out as vivid red, purple, brown or reddish-brown marks. Although the initial appearance of the marks can be alarming -- especially if you want to wear a bikini or short skirt -- the marks become less noticeable with time. Their ultimate color depends upon your own skin tone, but they usually are lighter than the surrounding skin. Most stretch marks fade between six and 12 months after you give birth.
Prevention/Solution
No special creams, lotions or exercises will prevent stretch marks, but maintaining a healthy weight might reduce your likelihood of developing the marks on your inner thighs. Although most women need to gain weight during pregnancy, MayoClinic.com recommends working with your doctor to develop an eating and exercising plan that will help you gain in a consistent, steady way.
Treatments
If your stretch marks bother you after they fade, talk to your dermatologist about treatment options that can minimize their appearance. Babycenter suggests that topical medications, including tretinoin and glycolic acid might help, as might laser treatments, which can restore your skin's elasticity and change the stretch marks' pigmentation so that they match the rest of your skin.
Expert Insight
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests keeping your skin well-moisturized to improve the appearance of stretch marks and reduce the itchiness often associated with the condition. If you want to hide the marks while on a beach vacation or for another special occasion, the academy recommends using sunless tanning products on your thighs.
