50 to 90% of pregnant women will develop stretch marks, according to a 2016 study.
Despite this fact, some women are still embarrassed by their scars. Although stretch mark products can help significantly, it’s possible that the marks won’t fully disappear. And that’s okay.
To prove that it’s nothing to be ashamed about, we’re sharing 8 celebrities’ experiences with stretch marks. We’ll also provide some tips on what you can do if you wish to minimize their appearance.
What Are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are a scar anyone can get when their skin quickly stretches or shrinks. This typically happens when someone gains or loses weight quickly. Since pregnancy means baby weight, many pregnant women get stretch marks. Here’s how they appear:
- Long, thin lines
- Pink, purple, red, reddish-brown or dark brown
- Newly formed marks can be raised
As stretch marks age, their appearance changes:
- Becomes white or lighter in color to match closer to natural skin tone
- Faded texture
- Old marks can form a small depression or indent
Stretch marks appear in areas where you’ve gained or lost weight. Most commonly:
- Stomach
- Thighs
- Butt
- Breasts
- “Love handle” area
Some people don’t like the appearance of stretch marks and aim to prevent them or minimize them once they happen. However, there is usually no medical problem with stretch marks. Although they can be itchy when first formed, they’re not painful and don’t pose any risks.
Can You Prevent Stretch Marks?
There’s no way to 100% prevent stretch marks unless you 100% prevent weight changes. During pregnancy, that’s impossible. While there’s things you can do to lessen the likelihood of getting them, there’s no guarantee. Here’s the things you can control when it comes to developing marks.
Eat Healthy
You’ll gain baby weight, but you can control the weight gain better by eating healthy. That includes eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grains and protein (meat, beans, etc.). When cravings hit, you may find a healthy satisfying alternative (ex. crunchy carrots instead of chips). Or, maybe you give in but eat less (ex. a piece of chocolate vs. the entire bar).
Exercise
Exercise is another way to ensure your weight gain is within healthy limits. As long as your doctor hasn’t told you otherwise, it’s safe to exercise during pregnancy. Don’t workout more intensely than you did before pregnancy, and don’t exhaust yourself. Even if you’re not used to exercising, jogs, walks or yoga are still helpful (read 11 Easy and Super Fun Pregnancy Exercise Ideas That You’ll Actually Do).
Hydration
Drinking water helps keep you hydrated, which allows your skin cells to do their job. When they can repair themselves properly, the likelihood and severity of stretch marks can reduce. During pregnancy, you should be drinking more water—about 10 8oz glasses per day, according to the Institute of Medicine.
Stretchmark Prevention Oil
Another way to prevent stretch marks is to use a stretch mark prevention oil. We recommended MamaDerma Stretch Mark Prevention Oil because it’s made specifically for the pregnant mom in mind. It contains natural ingredients that have been clinically shown to reduce the severity of stretch marks compared to regular oils. It’s also quick-absorbing, which means it won’t leave grease stains like other products. You simply need to rub the oil into “problem” areas in the morning and at night. Get Prevention Oil for Mama’s for $19.95!
Stretchmark Treatment Cream
Using a prevention oil reduces the chances of getting stretch marks; however, despite your best effort, you may still get some. If that happens, you can turn to stretch mark treatment products. We recommend the MamaDerma Silicone Stretch Mark Spray. The medical-grade silicone helps “seal” the area, so any tugging won’t further stretch the area. It can also protect the tissue from bacteria and provide the healing moisture needed. You can use it on C-section scars, too. Get the Silicone Stretch Mark Spray for $49.95!
8 Celebrities with Stretch Marks
If you follow influencers on Instagram or Facebook, it can be easy to think their life or pregnancies are perfect. But celebrities get stretch marks too! Knowing that these powerful women aren’t unscathed either can help you feel a little more normal. Here’s 8 famous people with stretch marks, some mamas and some not.
#1 Chrissy Teigen
mom bod alert! pic.twitter.com/Qi0BZvLmhV
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) July 31, 2018
In July 2018, model Chrissy Teigen posted a topless video showing off her pregnancy stretch marks.
“I guess these just aren’t gonna go away. This is my body,” she said while wearing only bikini bottoms. She had given birth to her son two months prior.
Tiegen said she wanted her followers to know what a normal body looks like after having two kids at age 32. She added that she wasn’t quite body-confident yet, but despite her insecurities, she’s happy she can make others feel better about their body.
#2 Jessica Alba
In 2010, mom Jessica Alba told Self Magazine that she’ll take her “flaws” every day because of the gift they’ve given her: pregnancy.
“Even though some might consider them a flaw, I’ve learned to love my stretch marks. Pregnancy was the most incredible experience I’ve ever had.”
“I’ll take the stretch marks. I’ll take the sagging boobs. I’ll take the cellulite I can never get rid of.”
She also commented on how her self-worth goes beyond her looks.
“If you walk around with your head held high and you’re happy and positive, then all that other stuff is irrelevant. Confidence is number one.”
#3 Kate Winslet
View this post on Instagram
Even classy Kate Winslet wants to set the right standard for beauty. She revealed her stretch marks in her movie Little Children. In 2012, Mirror wrote that it was important for her to be a real person and for people to understand that she’s not perfect.
“It was very important for me to just be a real person and be in the position where I can stand up and say, ‘Hey look, I’m normal. I have these stretch marks. I’m not perfect,'” she said.
#4 Jennifer Lopez
Stretch marks don’t stop mom of twins Jennifer Lopez from showing her skin. She’s been professionally photographed without hiding them.
When asked about her changing pregnancy body, she told Us Weekly that “I just didn’t care” when it came to her “flabby belly hanging out.”
#5 Shakira
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Another hip-shaking celeb, Shakira wasn’t ashamed of her marks even before she had kids. During a 2010 performance, she revealed silver stretch marks around her hips.
News outlets also noted that she had lines along the top of her breasts. Still, she confidently and inspiringly danced on stage in a bikini stop and low-rise pants.
#6 Demi Lovato
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Demi Lavato is keeping it real on social media by not filtering what some may consider imperfections. In one of her Instagram stories, she pinched her stomach to show her “stretch marks and extra fat” with the caption “and yet I still love myself.”
#7 Kourtney Kardashian
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Let’s face it: The Kardashians don’t post the most realistic photos on social media. However, Kourtney Kardashian is known as the most natural of the bunch because she doesn’t edit out her stretch marks. In the photo above, she confidently kneels in a bathing suit looking amazing—stretch marks and all.
#8 Reese Witherspoon
Me and My Valentine! Instagram vs. Reality ❤️ pic.twitter.com/s1iawWBebj
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) February 14, 2020
Mother Reese Witherspoon spoke to Vanity Fair about how parenthood made her look differently at who she was, including her “flaws.”
“I have cellulite. I have stretch marks. My breasts aren’t what they were before breastfeeding two children.”
“Parenthood is a great equalizer. It doesn’t matter how cool you think you are—when you’ve got baby spit-up all over your back and smashed chocolate cupcake all over your jeans, you’re just like any other mother.”
Celebrities with Stretch Marks: Summary
As you’ve read through the celebrities with stretch marks, hopefully you realized that many people get them, even if they’re not pregnant. Although we may try to minimize them, if they stick around, it’s nothing to be ashamed of! These fierce women still pose in bikinis and wear confidence despite what some may consider “flaws.” Some moms have reframed stretch marks, choosing to see them as a sign that their body allowed them to have a healthy baby. However you view your scars, you’re not alone!
P.S. Have you checked out our MamaDerma Line yet? We have several stretch mark prevention and treatment products geared toward moms like you! From medical silicone sprays to oils and derma-rollers, we got you covered.
Even Out Skin. Check Out Our Stretch Mark MamaDerma Line.