Can you prevent stretch marks?

Stretch marks afflict over 85% of girls and women and a significant but not exactly defined number of young boys. The high impact of this skin pathology means that many people are interested in treating them or, even better, preventing them.

This is why there are a large number of cosmetics on the market that boast the ability to prevent stretch marks; consequently, the question that many people ask is whether such cosmetics can really prevent the formation of the hated stretch marks.

If we follow the advertisements, we may find out that the cosmetics dedicated to stretch marks prevent their formation and they especially recommended during pregnancy. These would increase hydration and skin elasticity, creating the conditions for stretch marks not to form.
But is it true? Is there really anything that can prevent the formation of these unpleasant skin lesions in advance? The thing what publicity suggests us is an unrealisable myth o is it real?

Looking at the statistical data, obtained from published clinical studies, it is noticed that the impact of stretch marks has increased exponentially over the past 50 years, paradoxically in proportion to the supply of such preventative cosmetics. The first clinical studies dedicated to the impact of stretch marks in the female population date back to the last decades of 20th century and show that about 60% of women in post-puberty were affected by stretch marks by then. This percentage then increased in the 21st century between 80% and 90% of the female population after puberty.

Thus, although the use of cosmetics intended for prevention has become progressively widespread, actually it seems to be insufficient to prevent its formation.

In addition to this, there are no clinical studies that can confirm the preventive action of the cosmetics against stretch marks; it is generally said that they increase elasticity and skin hydration but nobody has been able to prove the claimed effective action, for example with a comparative study on women treated with such cosmetics before pregnancy and those who aren’t treated, showing a possible lower impact of stretch marks in the women treated.

Therefore, there is no scientifically certain data proving the effectiveness of cosmetics in preventing the formation of stretch marks; actually, their impact is constantly increasing despite the widespread use of these cosmetics.
So, should we use cosmetics designed to prevent the formation of stretch marks or not?

They may not help with stretch marks, they will probably show up anyway, but still they let us have a more moisturised and a better skin.