Stretch Mark Creams: Are They Worth Your Money?

Stretch mark creams that help prevent your skin from tearing during pregnancy. Shutterstock Images
Stretch marks may seem unsightly and uncomfortable for many, but it is actually a sign of all the hard work your body has gone through. Some wear them proudly, while others think they don't look good in a bikini, hence the need to get rid of them.
Nowadays, there are countless stretch mark creams available in the market and each one of them promises to diminish stretch marks in a short amount of time. Do these creams work or are they just empty promises?
What are Stretch Mark Creams?
Stretch mark creams are topical formulations applied on the skin to get rid of stretch marks. Stretch marks[1] pertain to the narrow band of scars that develops when the skin stretches and shrinks in an abrupt manner. Such abrupt change causes rupture of both collagen[2] and elastin[3] - the key structural proteins that make up the skin.
There are a lot of factors that play a role in the development of stretch marks, with genetics[4] and hormone fluctuations being pointed out as the main culprits.
Other possible causes include: