Stretch Marks Can Occur
"Purple stretch marks can develop when the skin on the breasts and abdomen (and thighs, arms) is stretched quickly due to rapid weight gain due to normal puberty, pregnancy, bodybuilding/rapid muscle bulking, internal (cortisol, estrogen) or external hormones (hormone replacement therapy, birth control), over-eating, drug-induced (marijuana) or medication-induced weight gain," says Shainhouse. She further explains that stretch marks occur when collagen and elastin in the dermis layer of the skin breaks — which is why the appearance does not improve when you lose the weight, because the elastic fibers are already broken.
But while stretch marks may be difficult to treat, Shainhouse says that the purple-pink discoloration will generally fade into a less noticeable silvery-white. In the meantime, she recommends investing in laser treatments, as some laser procedures that target red color (such as pulsed dye lasers and KTP lasers) can also be used to fade them quicker.
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Moisturize Your Stretch Marks Often
Another thing you can do to help with your stretch marks? Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. "If you do develop stretch marks during pregnancy, remember to moisturize your abdomen often and with a rich, highly moisturizing cream throughout your pregnancy," advises Dr. Ingleton. (We're fans of Beautycounter Countermatch Adaptive Body Moisturizer, $39).
Be Cautious of Moles That May Appear
Although moles may be a normal change associated with pregnancy, Beverly Hills Dermatologist Boris Zaks, M.D., suggests that a change in mole color and shape can also be a sign of precancerous or cancerous change. "A dermatologist will know if it needs to be monitored or biopsied," he explains.
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Invest in the Right Products and Treatments
"Over-the-counter topical products containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide are now considered safe for use in pregnancy given the very limited systemic absorption," said board-certified dermatologist Dr. Susan Bard, MD. She also notes that certain oral and topical antibiotics are considered safe as well as are certain chemical peels. She says that another good option is blue light therapy (which you can do at home these days, with devices such as LightStim for Acne, $169). It's ideal for patients who want to treat acne without using any medications.
