The effects of pequi oil on stretch marks?

Often associated with pregnancy, stretch marks, or striae distensae, are scars that indicate a rupture of collagen and elastin fibres in the dermal tissue. This occurs when the skin is subjected to strong tractions, particularly following significant and rapid weight gain. Certain hormonal changes or genetic predispositions can also cause stretch marks. Initially, stretch marks are red or purple in colour as they signal inflammation of the dermis due to skin stretching. They then turn white. It is almost impossible to act on white stretch marks that have been present for a long time.

Currently, no study proves that piqui oil has any preventive or corrective effects on stretch marks.

In the future, it would be interesting to conduct studies on the potential stretch mark prevention properties of pequi oil. Indeed, it is possible that its richness in active molecules may help to reduce the risk of stretch mark occurrence. Thanks to the fatty acids it contains, the pequi oil forms a protective layer on the surface of the epidermis and strengthens the natural hydrolipidic film. This helps to reduce water loss. It can be assumed that, more hydrated and more flexible, the skin is then less prone to stretch marks. Pequi oil is also rich in palmitic acid, a fatty acid that plays a role in the formation of the lipid barrier. Used for the palmitoylation of certain specific proteins of the stratum corneum, this fatty acid strengthens the skin's barrier function, providing it with a better resistance to stretching.

A friend to sensitive skin, the piqui oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties that could potentially be beneficial in cases of purple stretch marks. Indeed, the oleic acid found within this vegetable oil operates on several levels to reduce inflammation. It notably inhibits the activity of the nuclear factor NF-κB, which prevents the transcription of several pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukins 1β and 6 (IL-1β and IL-6), the macrophage inflammatory protein (MCP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). By halting inflammation from its onset, piqui oil could perhaps prevent the formation of stretch marks.

Another property of the piqui oil that could potentially be interesting in the case of stretch marks: its antioxidant action. Rich in carotenoids and vitamins A, C and E, compounds with radical scavenging properties, this vegetable oil combats the effects of oxidative stress and protects collagen and elastin fibres from attacks by free radicals, thus indirectly helping to prevent stretch marks. A study was recently conducted on this subject with a cream containing 5% piqui oil. The results showed that the cosmetic formulation had a good antioxidant capacity. Indeed, an effective median concentration (EC50) of the cream of 2.921 mg/mL was measured in the context of a DPPH assay, a test that measures the radical scavenging power of a substance. The EC50 corresponds to the concentration that induces a response halfway between the baseline and the maximum effect.

Finally, it is possible that pequi oil may help to promote the healing of stretch marks. Indeed, various studies have shown that oleic acid, the major component of pequi oil, is capable of accelerating the healing process. In addition to reducing tissue inflammation, oleic acid stimulates the synthesis of collagen III, a key protein in the granulation tissue produced by fibroblasts. This temporary tissue forms when the skin has been damaged and is regenerating. However, this interesting property of oleic acid has not yet been demonstrated in pequi oil.

Even though the various mechanisms of piqui oil mentioned above have been proven in studies, their extrapolation to stretch marks remains a supposition.