Stretch marks in pregnancy

Stretch marks in pregnancy are scars in the dermis that form as the skin over the bump, breasts and thighs stretches faster than it can adapt. The NHS says they usually appear on the tummy, sometimes on the upper thighs and breasts, as the bump grows, and that the first sign is often itching where the skin is thinning. Stretch Mark Removal London explains what happens next, and why the best time to judge them is well after the birth.

Most pregnancy marks start red, pink, purple or darker than the surrounding skin, and fade into paler lines over the months after delivery. The NHS says they probably will not go away completely. Elective treatment is postponed until pregnancy and breastfeeding have both finished, and by then many marks have faded enough that treatment is not needed at all. The guide to reducing the appearance of stretch marks covers the options for those that remain.

• The skin over the tummy stretching as the bump grows
• Gaining weight quickly, which also stretches the breasts, hips and thighs
• A family member with stretch marks, which makes them more likely

They usually appear as the bump starts to grow, and the NHS says the timing is different from woman to woman. Many people first notice itching over an area of skin that is thinning, then fine pink, red or purple lines. Marks can keep appearing into the later weeks of pregnancy and on the breasts during breastfeeding. There is no single week when they start, and no way to know in advance who will get them.

Not reliably. The NHS says it is not always possible to prevent them, and that there is limited evidence about whether oils or creams help stop them appearing. Genetics decide a good deal: if a parent had them, you are more likely to. Keeping the skin moisturised is harmless and eases itching, which is a good enough reason to do it. Gaining weight gradually, as your midwife advises, gives the skin more time to adapt. A product that promises to prevent stretch marks is making a claim the evidence does not support.

A plain, fragrance-free moisturiser is the simplest choice, and it keeps stretching skin comfortable. The NHS says there is no reliable evidence that creams remove marks once they appear. Check anything medicated with a pharmacist or midwife before using it on a large area in pregnancy, because some skincare ingredients are not recommended then. Money spent on expensive creams in pregnancy is usually better saved until you know which marks, if any, need treatment after the birth.

After the birth, marks keep changing for months as the skin and weight settle. The NHS says they may gradually fade into paler scars and become less noticeable, though they probably will not go away completely. A photograph of the area now, and another at around a year, is the fairest way to see how much has changed. Breastfeeding can bring new marks on the breasts, and elective treatment waits until it has finished.

Once pregnancy and breastfeeding have both finished, and the marks have had time to fade, an assessment can say whether treatment is worth it. Red marks that are still fading respond best, and may need nothing but time; white marks that have stopped changing respond more slowly. Microneedling is offered at UNTIL Soho and fractional laser at UNTIL Marylebone, and the practitioner quotes for your area before you book.