Being able to identify the early signs of stretch marks is so important because it’s at this point in time that you have the best chance of doing something about them. It’s much harder to remove existing marks than prevent them from fully forming.
Persistent itching is often one of the first signs of stretch marks. Then, you may notice slight texture changes in your skin. After that is when the red or purple lines begin appearing (striae rubra), before they turn a pale silver or white over the next 6-12 months.
We’ll help you catch the early stretch mark signs so you can act fast to stop them in their tracks. The best way to prevent them, especially if you’re pregnant and are anticipating them, is to begin using a proven stretch mark serum ASAP, like True Belly Serum by 8 Sheep Organics.
Key Takeaways
- Your skin will be itchy, and the texture will look a little different, before actual stretch marks form.
- Early stretch marks are red or purple. They can still be minimized at this point. 1
- Once stretch marks fade to a pale silver or white, it’s much harder to fully eliminate them.1
- Your genetics may predispose you to developing stretch marks.2
- Noticing the early signs of stretch marks gives you the best chance of addressing them.
- 8 Sheep Organics makes the best stretch mark cream for pregnancy with Centella Asiatica and triple-weighted hyaluronic acid.3
What Do the Early Signs of Stretch Marks Look Like?
Stretch marks are microtears in the dermis, a deep layer within the skin. They happen when the skin stretches faster than collagen and elastin can keep up with. Pregnant women are obviously susceptible to stretch marks, but anyone who gains weight rapidly is as well.
So what do the early signs of stretch marks look like? Actually, appearance isn’t the earliest warning sign. You’ll likely feel as if something is off with your skin before you see anything.
Itching Before Visible Marks
This is your skin’s first cry for help. The underlying tissue within the dermis pulls and begins “micro-tearing” as the skin stretches faster than the body can handle. This irritation often manifests itself in the form of itchiness, or perhaps a tingling sensation.
This can begin happening during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. But to be clear, not every itch is a warning sign of impending pregnancy stretch marks. It could just be dryness. You can usually rule it out based on the area that’s itching. If it’s your hips, belly, or anywhere else that you’ve noticed weight accumulating, it’s probably stretch marks starting to form.
Texture Changes
The skin over a developing stretch mark could look slightly raised or ridged before any red or purple marks pop through. You can run your fingers across the area and feel that something is a little different compared to the skin around it.
A lot of women say it’s like a faint ripple, or a “thinner” patch of skin. This makes sense when you think about what’s happening - the skin is literally being stretched thinner!
There may already be invisible tears at this point, which means the type of stretch marks you can actually see aren’t far behind. Dr. Helen He of Mount Sinai's Healthy Skin Dermatology Center says overstretching “disrupts the collagen and elastin networks.”4
Color Changes
This is when you can physically see stretch marks. So, what do the early signs of stretch marks look like? The earliest form is known as striae rubra. These colored lines can look a little different depending on your skin tone. They start pink or red in lighter complexions; they’re dark brown or slightly purple in darker skin.
The color change is caused by inflammation and dilated blood vessels stuck under the stretched skin. While your first reaction is probably to panic, know that the stretch marks are still actively forming at this stage - meaning they can respond better to treatment.3
How Stretch Marks Progress Over Time
How rapidly your skin is stretching will dictate how fast the first signs of stretch marks begin progressing. Striae rubrae can begin progressing into striae alba within a few months, or even just a few weeks in the third trimester. These are flat and pale. Usually silver/white.
The difference in color speaks to what’s going on beneath the skin. The early stretch marks are actively inflamed with dilated blood vessels. But striae alba are actual scars. Your body has done its best to repair the damage with collagen bundles.
Unfortunately, it’s at this point that stretch marks don’t respond well to topical treatment. You may have no choice but to explore professional treatments, or learn to love your stretch marks!
Where Do Stretch Marks Show Up First?
Most pregnant women find that stretch marks appear on the belly and hips first, usually in the third trimester. Breasts aren’t far behind, and many women also accumulate stretch marks on their thighs, upper arms, lower back - anywhere weight is packing on during pregnancy.
But the truth is, stretch marks can pop up anywhere that the skin is stretching. This happens outside of pregnancy all the time, like during puberty. Growth spurts are notorious for coming with stretch marks.
Who is Most at Risk of Developing Stretch Marks?
Unfortunately, genetics is one of the strongest stretch mark predictors.2 It’s very likely you will develop stretch marks if your mother did when she was pregnant with you.
Younger women and women with a higher pre-pregnancy BMI are also more likely to develop stretch marks. Ethnicity also plays a role, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Black, Hispanic, and some Asian women are more at risk.1
Here’s a staggering number, though - up to 90% of pregnant women develop some degree of stretch marks.2 This is to say, you should be planning how you’ll fight them as soon as you find out you’re pregnant.
What to Do When You Notice the First Signs of Stretch Marks
The earlier you start supporting your skin, the better chance you have of preventing stretch marks from forming in the first place. But even once you notice the first signs of stretch marks, damage control can prevent them from becoming permanent fixtures on your skin.
The best thing you can do is add the right stretch mark products to your daily routine. The only problem is most pregnancy stretch mark oil overpromises and underdelivers. It’s merely a glorified moisturizer. The stuff that does work isn’t always safe for you while pregnant.
That’s what makes 8 Sheep Organics the #1 belly oil for pregnancy. It’s 100% pregnancy-safe and contains the two ingredients recognized by the American Academy of Dermatology as effective in preventing and minimizing the appearance of stretch marks:
- Centella Asiatica: Supports your body’s own collagen and elastin production processes.
- Triple-Weighted Hyaluronic Acid: Three molecular weights of this deeply hydrating ingredient work deep into the skin to deliver moisture where it’s needed most.
It’s backed by a 100-day money-back guarantee, too!
As for when to start using stretch mark cream during pregnancy, we said it before, and we’ll say it once more - as early as possible. You want your skin to be ultra-hydrated and producing ample collagen/elastin by the time it actually starts stretching. This gives you the best chance of prevention. First trimester ideally, but honestly, better late than never!
Other than skincare, you should make sure to stay hydrated and eat a good diet.
You can talk to a dermatologist about treatments like laser therapy or microneedling if your marks have already progressed deep into the striae alba phase.1 Otherwise, give yourself the best chance with 8 Sheep Organics today!
Frequently asked questions
What do pre-stretch marks look like?
The skin might look thinner, or perhaps slightly raised. The early signs of stretch marks aren’t visible, though - watch out for itchiness around areas that you’ve gained weight.
What can be mistaken for stretch marks?
Linea nigra (the dark vertical line on the belly) and dry skin irritation are the most common lookalikes. We’ve seen hormonal skin discoloration mistaken for stretch marks as well.
Do stretch marks ever go away?
They can fade to the point that it’s hard to see them, especially if you treat them early on before they become actual scars.
How do I tell if I'm getting stretch marks?
You’ll know. Your skin will be itchy at first, then you’ll notice it feels a little different to the touch (thinner, raised, just not smooth like the rest of your skin). Then you’ll start to see those red or purple lines pop through. Act fast, because you can still control them at this stage!
References
- Cleveland Clinic. "Stretch Marks: What are they, Causes & Treatments." Cleveland Clinic
- Farahnik B, Park K, Kroumpouzos G, Murase J. "Striae gravidarum: Risk factors, prevention, and management." International Journal of Women's Dermatology. 2017;3(2):77-85. PubMed
- American Academy of Dermatology. "Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them." AAD.org
- Consumer Reports. "How to Choose a Pregnancy-Safe Stretch Mark Cream." Helen He, MD. Consumer Reports
