Clinical evaluation of a topical formulation to help prevent stretch marks during pregnancy

Introduction: Stretch marks occur due to the rapid stretching of the skin, which is typical in pregnancy. Several topical treatments to prevent them have been studied.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a topical formulation (lactic acid and sodium lactate in an emulsion with caprylic and capric acids’ triglycerides) in the prevention of stretch marks.
Methods: Seventy-five pregnant women aged 18-40 were assessed. The treated area was the abdomen and the control area was the inner forearm, with and without the application of the tested product. Softness, hydration, and elasticity – and biophysical measurements for hydration and elasticity – were evaluated.
Results: Of the 52 women who completed the study, 9.6% presented stretch marks in the treated abdominal area. There was a significant improvement in all clinical parameters assessed (p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement – compared the control area – in the instrumental measurements of hydration and elasticity in the abdomen. A significant improvement was also verified in the treated forearm area compared to the untreated forearm area for both parameters evaluated (p = 0.001).
Conclusions: The formulation improved the skin’s elasticity and hydration, reducing the striae incidence more than previously reported in the literature.

Keywords: STRIAE DISTENSAE; PREGNANCY; RELAXIN.