Are you pregnant and worried about stretch marks?
Recently had a baby and consumed with thoughts about how to get your “body back”?
Instead of giving you tips and tricks to hide your stretch marks or make them disappear faster, let’s change the conversation entirely. Mamas, start to appreciate your powerful body, even with its stretch marks and perhaps a c-section scar – you gave birth to a baby! You’re a superwoman!
This article is not a substitute for medical advice.
What Are Stretch Marks & How Do They Look?
Stretch marks are areas in the dermis (middle layer of skin)1 that have thinned out and the skin has stretched apart. They appear as lines within the skin and vary in color from pink, purple, red or white, depending on one’s natural skin tone.
They can occur due to any number of bodily changes, not just pregnancy – however, the hormones of pregnancy make you more susceptible to stretch marks.
Some other causes for stretch marks include weight gain, muscle growth (such as glutes), and puberty.
How Common Are Pregnancy Stretch Marks?
It is estimated that 80% of pregnant women develop stretch marks2, which means they are very common.
Yet, if stretch marks are so common during pregnancy, why don’t we see them more often in the media, on the bodies of celebrities and models?
The truth is, even celebs get stretch marks! We don’t see them in photoshopped images or Instagram stories because the photos are likely filtered or re-touched before they are posted.
Where Do Stretch Marks Appear?
The most common places for stretch marks to appear are on the bum, thighs or abdomen. Skin in these areas stretches more because of growth spurts during puberty, weight gain or pregnancy.
Boob stretch marks are very common, too, especially for mamas who were on the smaller-side before pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Can I Prevent Stretch Marks?
Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to avoid stretch marks.
Despite the advertising schemes of some brands that offer creams that will “prevent” stretch marks, in most cases, stretch marks are genetic and occur on the middle layer of skin; where no cream could possibly absorb deep enough.
What Week In Pregnancy Is Most Common For Stretch Marks?
Statistics show that the majority (90%) of women develop stretch marks between week 24 and week 28 (six and seven months).
This might be when Mamas “pop” or their belly goes through a big growth spurt, not necessarily when their belly is the biggest.
How Do Celebrities Avoid Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?
Guess what? They don’t!
Yep, even celebrities get stretch marks.
Previously, it was expected that professional models and celebrities would hide or disguise their stretch marks in an attempt to portray the ‘perfect’ (unattainable!) female form.
This has resulted in a ridiculous expectation of post-baby bodies for mamas:
- To drop the baby weight and get back to a pre-birth weight immediately, even if the weight-loss approach is unhealthy
- To hide stretch marks with high-waisted clothing
- For moms to be ashamed of their bodies instead of celebrating what they can do.
Thankfully, more and more famous women are stepping out and embracing their ‘tiger stripes’; applauding their bodies for giving birth, instead of shaming their post-baby bodies.
In this post we want to amplify the voices of body positivity, to help other mamas, pregnant or post-partum love their body, stretch marks and all.
Here’s a few of our favorites, sharing a fresh aesthetic in contrast to the ridiculous standards of the fashion industry and photo-shopped world we live in:
Robyn Lawley
Fashion model Robyn Lawley shared an inspiring Facebook Post3 where she showed her true post-baby body, unashamed. She calls her stretch marks, which developed during the pregnancy with her first child, Ripley, “Tiger Stripes”.
Lawyley’s Facebook post reads “To anyone who feels bad about your body, especially after a baby, you are a warrior, you created a life inside of you”.
She adds, “We put an unbelievable amount of ridiculous time-consuming pressure on women to care so much about their flaws”.
Let’s celebrate instead of point out ‘flaws’, yeah? Thanks for the reminder, Robyn Lawley!
Mamas: stop wasting precious time worrying about losing weight and appreciate your real body – your amazing body.
Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham4, the former Victoria Secret model, has been inspiring “normal human bodies” throughout her career.
One of the most-well-know times is when she published on Instagram a picture of herself at the beach, featuring her un-photoshopped legs with the words, “I’m not ashamed of a few lumps, bumps or cellulite… and you shouldn’t be either.”
She ended with the hashtag #lovetheskinyourein.
Now that’s some healthy self-esteem we can all get behind!
View this post on Instagram
Hilaria Baldwin
The wife to Alec Baldwin went to Instagram only 24 hours after giving birth to show what a postpartum body really looks like5.
She included the caption, “It always makes me a bit nervous to do something like this, but I feel that in the age of such strong body shaming, I want to do all that I can to normalize a real body and promote healthy self esteem.”
View this post on Instagram
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon, was perhaps one of the first celebrities to be so open about the reality of being a mother, in a People Magazine article in 2004.
The actress, who at the time of publishing was a mother of two, said: “I have cellulite. I have stretch marks. My breasts aren’t what they were before breastfeeding two children.”
She sees parenthood as a great equalizer: “It doesn’t matter how cool you think you are – when you’ve got baby spit-up all over your back and smashed chocolate cupcake all over your jeans, you’re just like any other mother.”
Jameela Jamil
We’ve got to mention the founder of the body positivity platform, I WEIGH.
Jameela Jamil is a force encouraging women to appreciate their bodies. She proudly showed off her stretch marks on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
Yes, Jameela! Preach it!
Stretch marks on boobs are very common during pregnancy and lots of new moms also get them after breastfeeding.
Stacey Solomon
TV personality Stacey Solomon6 posted an Instagram photo with the caption “I honestly love how much stretch marks shine in the sun! Natural glitter”
Now that’s what I call body positivity; truly loving your body as it is.
Kourtney Kardashian
Not all stretch marks are due to pregnancy, and Kourtney Kardashian has openly shared she has had her stretch marks since she was a teen.
The famous Kardashian sister shared a photo of a high-cut swimsuit that showed off the stretch marks on her hips and thighs and recieved positive feedback from fans all around the world.
This celeb-mama doesn’t understand this ‘big deal’ about stretch marks, and neither do we!
| What’s interesting Kim Kardashian was using the Bio-Oil which according to her helped her to minimize the stretch marks during pregnancy, which of course made the product super popular. Is it really worth the hype tho? As you can see in my list of the best oils for stretch marks that are pregnancy-safe I have some doubts about Bio-Oil, because it does contain some nasty chemicals. Make sure to check ingredients list even on the products that some celebrities recommend! |
Jessica Alba
This famous actress, mom of three and entrepreneur was featured on the cover of Self Magazine shortly after giving birth to her daughter, Honor.
Alba was real about her post-baby body, saying that “Pregnancy was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had. So I’ll take the stretch marks. I’ll take the sagging boobs. I’ll take the cellulite I can never get rid of. If you walk around with your head held high and you’re happy and positive, then all that other stuff is irrelevant. Confidence is number one.”
We couldn’t agree more!
Kylie Jenner
The famous mom of two has shared un-edited pics of her self, including stretch marks on her breasts7.
She shared on Instagram, “I have stretch marks on my boobs. My stomach isn’t the same, my waist isn’t the same, my butt’s bigger, my thighs are bigger.” [since giving birth to her children].
Now, I wouldn’t take the ‘big butt’ as a complaint from Kylie, but a nod to the positive changes as a result of pregnancy, because if there is any family that celebrates a big butt its the Kardashian-Jenner clan!
Maren Morris
This Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter and new mom shared an unedited photo of herself in a bra and panties only a short while after giving birth8, stating: “Am never saying ‘trying to get my body back’ again. No one took it, I didn’t lose it like a set of keys.”
Morris added, “The pressure we put on mothers to ‘snap back’ is insurmountable and deeply troublesome.”
View this post on Instagram
How true! Mama, don’t worry about the extra fat, or trying to ‘tighten up’, you’ve had a baby – your body is amazing.
Can You Completely Avoid Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?
You can take steps to reduce the severity of stretch marks, but you cannot entirely prevent them if you are genetically pre-dispositioned to get them.
Some factors definitely increase the probability of developing stretch marks;
- If this is your second or third child. Skin elasticity is reduced with consecutive pregnancies – especially if the pregnancies are close together.
- If you’re pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets) as your belly will be significantly bigger, at a much quicker rate
- if you were very slim before pregnancy and gain weight rapidly (especially in the boob area), or gain a lot of weight during your pregnancy.
How To Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks?
Now, you may not be able to completely prevent stretch marks, but you can minimize them by keeping your skin well hydrated.
Hydrate To Prevent Stretch Marks
Hydrate in two ways:
1) With oils for stretch marks, especially ones with natural non-toxic ingredients that are deemed to be safe for use during pregnancy (lavender and almond oil are good choices).
2) By drinking water! This will hydrate your skin from the inside-out.
Minimizing Stretch Marks
If you do get stretch marks, know that they will naturally fade in time.
There are creams and lotions which say they reduce the visibility and help scars fade faster, but their effectiveness is still being debated. These scars are in the middle layer of skin, where most lotion will not absorb deep enough.
You can also consider exfoliating to encourage new skin growth, or apply creams with hyaluronic acid which helps to repair skin damage.
Other options to consider, if you really are uncomfortable with your stretch marks, are micro-needling, plasma injections or laser therapy. These options are more invasive and costly and should only be done under professional supervision. Of course once you’re done healing from delivery and finish breastfeeding.
Please keep in mind that this article IS NOT a medical advice. The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for consultation with a doctor. Always consult your health concerns and decisions with your doctor. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.
Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂