Beware of False Claims About Stretch Marks Creams

Feb. 26, 2010 - PRLog -- If you have ever gazed into the mirror after a pregnancy, only to see unsightly stretch marks covering your lower belly, breasts or thighs, you are not alone. Sadly, once women have stretch marks, it’s too late to do much about them because these types of skin imperfections can not be erased. They can only be prevented.

The key to minimizing stretch marks before they occur requires knowledge of how your skin functions and knowing the truth about prevention.

1.What Causes Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are caused by the breakage of skin proteins during the rapid expansion of the skin during pregnancy. Stretch marks can appear on the abdomen, hips, breast, thighs, and underarms. No matter what a product boasts, once formed, stretch marks are permanent. Various skin creams have been developed to try to reduce the appearance of stretch marks once formed. However, prevention should be the main goal because most remedies intended to diminish the appearance of stretch marks do not work.

2.What are the Important Qualities of a Good Stretch Mark Cream?
Remedies intended to prevent stretch marks mostly hydrate and moisturize the skin, thus allowing the existing skin proteins to stretch and not tear. However, a better approach is to increase the skin collagen and elastin production giving much more distensibility to the skin.

3.Is Adding Collagen to the Ingredients Sufficient?
Beware of false claims! Certain products do contain collagen in their ingredient list—but this is not sufficient. It is well known that the skin has to manufacture its own collagen and elastin for any product to go to work preventing stretch marks.

4.What Ingredients Should I Avoid when Choosing a Stretch Mark Cream?
Here are several ingredients COMMONLY found in many of the popular brands that should be avoided in pregnancy.

•PARABENS: This includes methylparaben and propylparaben.
•RETINOL: Vitamin A has in large doses has been associated with an increased risk of congenital anomalies. In addition, retin A type products can be very irritating and cause rapid cell turnover so special precautions need to be taken with regard to the sun.
•SODIUM LAURYL SULFATES AND SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE: Can cause dermatitis., also a skin and eye irritant.
•PHTHALATES: Studies have shown that this interferes with the development of the male testes in animals.
5.What Ingredients are Responsible for Hydration and Moisturization?
The shea butter and various oils are responsible for the moisture and hydration. Unfortunately, most of the stretch mark creams for pregnancy ONLY have these ingredients and this is not sufficient to prevent stretch marks. The oils tend to make the product extremely greasy. Oils are nonabsorbent by the skin since water is a major component of skin cells. The oils tend to sit on the surface layers and stain clothing, especially in a large pregnant belly. In addition, keep an eye on the price. Such products are commonly very expensive for these relatively inexpensive, moisturizing ingredients.

6.What Other Ingredients Should I be Concerned About?
Alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) is an ingredient commonly used in many creams. The purpose of this ingredient is to remove old skin and regenerate new skin—basically a mini-peel. This can be very irritating to many women. One also must be very careful about being in the sun as sunburn can occur much more readily with this ingredient on the skin. AHA treatments are now undergoing scrutiny. There is a question of the effects of long term home usage of chemical peels with regard to potential negative effects on the skin.

7.What Makes Beauté de Maman Products Superior to Other Brands on the Market?
•Our Beauté de Maman product line does not exfoliate skin.
•Beauté de Maman does not use acids to peel away skin.
•In addition to our ultra moisturizing and skin softening ingredients,  we have included natural and herbal ingredients proven to help the skin manufacture collagen and elastin (Psium sativum, Bambusa vulgaris, Gardenia Tahitensis, and glucosamine HCL)
•It is NOT a messy oil. Beauté de Maman stretch mark product is an absorbent cream that does NOT stain clothes.
•Beauté de Maman has no odor.
•Beauté de Maman is obstetrician created specifically for pregnant women.
•Beauté de Maman has been pre-tested on hundreds of pregnant women and is safe for both mother and baby.
Finally, it is very important to me that Beauté de Maman remain affordable for ALL pregnant women. While our packaging is very pretty and feminine, our philosophy is to invest on the inside… bringing you safe and effective ingredients to keep your skin glowing and beautiful though out your pregnancy… and beyond!

Best regards,

Dr. Michele Brown, OBGYN

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Beauté de Maman is an all natural and herbal skin care line developed by an obstetrician for her pregnant patients. Beauté de Maman is now sold around the world including China and the Middle East. The product line includes a stretch mark prevention cream, a pregnancy acne remedy, a facial scrub, a morning sickness supplement and a nipple gel to relieve sore and cracked nipples during breast feeding. Dr. Michele Brown is a board certified obstetrician with a thriving practice in Stamford CT.

Dr. Brown's Pregnancy Articles and more information can be found at http://www.beautedemaman.com

Submitted by Coldfire Inc. http://www.coldfireinc.com