Stretch marks are darkened, slightly indented lines that most commonly affect the stomach, breasts, hips, thighs, buttocks, and upper arms. When the skin is stretched, it leads to dermal and epidermal tearing.

Women who are pregnant generally develop stretch marks during the third trimester of pregnancy. Experts believe that they are caused by significant stretching of the skin in a short period of time combined with hormonal factors.

Many pregnant women adopt a stretch mark prevention skin care routine at the beginning of their pregnancies to reduce their chances of developing stretch marks. Some topical creams and oils that may prevent stretch marks include:

Vitamin-E

Vitamin-E has long been thought to help prevent the aging process as well as help heal scars and scar tissue.

Cocoa or Shea Butter

Shea butter or oil is a unique skin emollient and moisturizer that is effective in treating a number of skin problems, including scars and skin discolorations.

Sweet Almond Oil

Sweet almond oil is rich in proteins and contains a low level of saturated fatty acids, allowing it to penetrate and soften skin.

For an effective stretch mark prevention cream, combine the above ingredients and apply to the stomach, thighs, breasts, or other areas twice a day.

While stretch marks are scars that will never fade completely, their appearance can be significantly reduced with medical-grade treatments offered by plastic surgeons and dermatologists.