After having a child, many women spend time getting their body back into pre-baby shape. And while losing baby weight is possible (albeit not always easy!) there is one side-effect which may be more difficult to get rid of – stretch marks.

According to Oprah.com, Dr Haideh Hirmand, clinical assistant professor of surgery at Cornell-Weill Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital, reports that stretch marks are caused by the tearing of the dermis, the skin’s second layer, and most commonly occur during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Women who are with-child may be able to avoid getting the lines, as “studies have suggested that topically applied vitamin E can prevent stretch marks from forming,” the news source reports. Mama Mio Tummy Rub Stretch Mark Oil contains wheatgerm oil, which is a great source of vitamin E.

However, pregnancy is not the only cause of the skin imperfections – they can also be a result of rapid growth during puberty, significant weight gain and hormonal shifts.

Those who have stretch marks that have already formed can use a specially formulated treatment to reduce their appearance, such as Murad Firm and Tone Serum, and can conceal the lines using body makeup, like Dermablend Leg and Body Cover Creme SPF 15.