Plus, the best science-backed ways to prevent (and even erase!) the unsightly scars
If you’re loading up on cocoa butter to ward off pregnancy-related stretch marks, you might want to save your money: As it turns out, genetics can seriously increase your odds of getting stretch marks, according to research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
For the study, scientists from the personal genetics company 23andMe examined the DNA of 33,930 people, 4,967 of whom were women with severe pregnancy-related stretch marks. They found that mutations in or near four specific genes—ELN, SRPX, HMCN1, and TMEM18—increased the participants’ risk of stretch marks by 40 percent. Of these genes, ELN (aka elastin) was the most strongly tied to stretch marks, especially those developed during pregnancy. Elastin is the major component of elastic fibers, which help tissues stretch and retract.
See, while excess tension on the skin is the short explanation for stretch marks, some people are more prone to developing them than others, says study author Joyce Tung, Ph.D., director of research at 23andMe. For instance, in the study, only 25 percent of the men reported having stretch marks, but 55 percent of the women did.
“Previously, no genetic variants were known to be associated with isolated stretch marks,” says Tung, who hopes the findings will lead to more effective treatments that target elastin production.
In the meantime, talk to your doctor about these science-approved prescriptions for preventing and erasing stretch marks:
