From the Guidelines
To prevent striae during pregnancy, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and a balanced diet, is crucial, as there is no direct evidence-based recommendation for preventing stretch marks. The 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy recommends that all women without contraindication should be physically active throughout pregnancy, accumulating at least 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity each week 1. This guideline also suggests incorporating a variety of aerobic and resistance training activities, which may help improve skin elasticity and reduce the risk of stretch marks. Additionally, maintaining a healthy pregnancy weight gain and staying well-hydrated can also help minimize stretch marks. Some studies suggest that applying moisturizers containing ingredients such as cocoa butter, shea butter, vitamin E, or hyaluronic acid to the skin may help keep it hydrated and elastic, although there is limited evidence to support their effectiveness in preventing stretch marks. Key points to consider:
- Regular physical activity, such as aerobic and resistance training, to improve skin elasticity
- Maintaining a healthy pregnancy weight gain
- Staying well-hydrated by drinking at least 8-10 glasses of water daily
- Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins C, D, E, zinc, and protein to support skin health and collagen production
- Avoiding scratching the skin and wearing comfortable, non-restrictive clothing. While these measures may help minimize stretch marks, it is essential to note that genetics and hormonal factors play significant roles, and most stretch marks naturally fade over time after pregnancy.
From the Research
Recommendations for Preventing Striae (Stretch Marks) During Pregnancy
There are several recommendations for preventing striae (stretch marks) during pregnancy, including:
- Keeping skin hydrated and supple through regular massage with oil and maintaining a balanced diet with plenty of water 2
- Using creams containing Centella asiatica extract, alpha tocopherol, and collagen-elastin hydrolysates, which may help prevent the development of stretch marks in women who have previously suffered from them 3
- Massaging with bitter almond oil, which may help prevent stretch marks and reduce their severity 4
- Using hyaluronic acid, which may have a weak effect in preventing stretch marks 4
Topical Preparations
Several topical preparations have been studied for their effectiveness in preventing stretch marks, including:
- Bio-oil, which is the most commonly used product among women trying to prevent stretch marks 5
- Cocoa butter and olive oil, which have been found to be ineffective in preventing stretch marks 4
- Tretinoin, which may be effective in reducing the severity of new-onset stretch marks, but its use is limited due to its pregnancy category 4
Evidence Quality
The evidence for the effectiveness of these recommendations is limited, and most studies have methodological flaws or small sample sizes 3, 4, 6. Therefore, more research is needed to determine the most effective ways to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy. A systematic review of six trials involving 800 women found no statistically significant difference in the development of stretch marks between women who received topical preparations with active ingredients and those who received a placebo or no treatment 6.