Introduction & Objectives
Stretch marks represent one of the most undesirable and common physiological skin changes that occur during pregnancy, usually range from 50 up to 90% according to the literature. The abdomen, breasts, thighs, and hips are the most impacted due to mechanical stretching of the skin in association with hormonal factors. Several studies have shown that improving collagen production, skin elasticity and skin hydration can help in the prevention or the improvement of stretch marks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interest and the tolerance in pregnant women of a dermo-cosmetic dry oil designed for preventing stretch marks.
Materials & Methods
First, the moisturizing properties of the dry oil was assessed during 24hr using a corneometer on the arm of 10 women (in average 40 years old). Second, the immediate effect on suppleness was evaluated by measuring the skin suppleness (Uf = maximal amplitude, Ue = instant extensibility) after 30min with a cutometer vs. untreated area on the abdomen of 10 women (in average 26 years old). Third, in an open intra-individual study under dermatological control, 31 pregnant women (in average 25 years old, 14 weeks of gestation and phototype IV 90% and III 10%) were included without stretch marks on the abdomen at day 0 (D0) but presenting a highly prone to developing them (family history, presence on other body areas). They applied the dry oil once or twice daily for 112 days on the abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks by circular massages. The Davey’s clinical scoring was used to determinate the striae severity (0 to 8), a cutometer for the skin biomechanical properties, and a self-assessment questionnaire for subjective evaluation, after 56 and 112 days of use, in parallel with the tolerance by the investigator.
Results
The dry oil presented a significant hydration increase up to 41% after 2hr (p<0.001) and 15% at 24hr (p<0.05) compared to untreated area. In addition, the skin suppleness was significantly improved by increasing Uf and Ue, +4.6% (p<0.05) and +6.7% (p<0.05) respectively, compared to untreated area. Moreover, only 3 subjects developed stretch marks during the clinical study, out of 31 included after 112 days of use, associated with a mean Davey’s clinical scoring of 0.31. At D112, 89% of the subjects present no stretch marks, 4% mild and 7% severe stretch marks. In addition, the skin elasticity (Ur/Ue) was significantly improved at D56 (+4.92%, p<0.001) and D112 (+10.25%, p<0.001) compared to D0. The product was very appreciated by many subjects for its immediate efficacy especially in term of skin texture, smoothing effect, and moisturizing properties. They also appreciated the product for its effect after 112 days of use with skin regained long lastingly its softness, skin was long lastingly nourished, moisturized, sublimated, regained long lastingly its comfort, suppleness, and texture was long lastingly refined and smoothed. 96% of subjects agreed that the product was an ultra-nourishing oil and were satisfied with the appearance of their skin. During the study, the product was very-well tolerated by the subjects.
Conclusion
This study shows that this dry oil has a preventive effect of the stretch marks appearance in pregnant women (compared to literature data), especially by improving skin elasticity and it was very-well tolerated. In accordance to the ecobiological approach, consisting in acting on the root causes (lack of lipids) as well as the visible signs (dry skin), it provides a long-lasting efficacy.
