Stretch Marks During Pregnancy and Postpartum: What Can You Do?

Stretch marks are incredibly common and can appear at many stages of life — during periods of growth, changes in weight and, of course, pregnancy.

Some people develop very few. Others develop many.

During pregnancy, they commonly appear on areas where the skin is stretching, including the abdomen, breasts, thighs, hips and buttocks.

Although you may want to reduce their appearance, stretch marks are a normal type of scarring and are not usually harmful.

Why Do Stretch Marks Appear During Pregnancy?

Stretch marks, medically known as striae, develop when the skin stretches or shrinks relatively quickly.

Pregnancy is therefore a particularly common time for them to appear as the body changes to accommodate a growing baby.

Hormonal changes and genetics can also influence whether somebody develops stretch marks, which helps explain why two women can experience very different skin changes during pregnancy.

They are not evidence that you have failed to look after your skin.

What Do Stretch Marks Look Like?

New stretch marks may initially appear pink, red, reddish-brown, purple or darker brown depending on your skin tone.

Over time, they usually become less noticeable and fade to a paler or silvery colour.

The appearance and rate at which they fade varies considerably from person to person.

Can You Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?

There is no guaranteed way to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

Keeping your skin moisturised can help it feel comfortable and cared for as your body changes, but creams and oils cannot guarantee that stretch marks won't develop.

For many mothers, applying a body or belly oil can simply become an enjoyable self-care ritual — an opportunity to massage and moisturise changing skin during pregnancy and after birth.

If you have sensitive skin or are uncertain whether a particular skincare ingredient is appropriate during pregnancy, check with your midwife, GP or pharmacist.

What Happens to Stretch Marks After Birth?

Stretch marks don't normally disappear completely after pregnancy, but they often become less prominent naturally over time.

This is worth remembering during the early postpartum period.

Your body is undergoing enormous changes after birth and there is no requirement to immediately begin trying to alter its appearance.

For many mothers, the early weeks are better spent allowing the body time to recover and adjusting to life with a newborn.

Our Postpartum Recovery Guide explores the wider physical and emotional recovery that takes place after childbirth.

Can Stretch Marks Be Treated?

If your stretch marks continue to concern you, there are treatments that may help make them less noticeable, although results vary and no treatment can guarantee their complete removal.

Options sometimes discussed include:

• topical treatments
• laser or light treatments
• microneedling
• other dermatologist-led procedures

A dermatologist or appropriately qualified healthcare professional can advise whether a treatment is suitable for your skin and circumstances.

A Note About Retinoids

Retinoid treatments are sometimes used for stretch marks, but retinoids should not be used during pregnancy.

If you've recently given birth — particularly if you are breastfeeding — speak to your GP, pharmacist or dermatologist before using a retinoid product rather than assuming that something marketed as skincare is automatically suitable.

Caring for Your Postpartum Skin

Postpartum skincare doesn't have to be about correcting your body.

Your skin has stretched and changed throughout pregnancy and may continue changing for months afterwards.

Keeping it moisturised, protecting it from excessive sun exposure and choosing products that feel comfortable on your skin can all form part of gentle postpartum self-care.

And if your stretch marks remain?

There is nothing medically wrong with simply leaving them alone.

When Should You Speak to a Doctor?

Stretch marks themselves are usually harmless.

However, if you develop stretch marks without an obvious reason, they cover a particularly large area, or you have other symptoms that concern you, speak to your GP.

Similarly, if changes to your body after pregnancy are causing significant worry or distress, you deserve support.

Our article on body image and postpartum recovery looks more closely at adjusting to the physical changes that can accompany pregnancy and birth.

Our Final Thoughts

There is no single right way to feel about stretch marks.

You may want to reduce their appearance. You may gradually become comfortable with them. You may barely think about them at all.

All of those responses are valid.

What matters is having realistic information about what skincare and treatments can — and cannot — achieve.

Pregnancy changes the body, and postpartum recovery takes time. Caring for yourself during that transition should be about comfort and wellbeing rather than pressure to return to the body you had before pregnancy.

Written by Primrose + Ginger