,type=downsize)
Model, influencer, singer, and comedy content creator Lele Pons recently announced her pregnancy with Puerto Rican rapper Guaynaa. Since then, the couple has shared many sweet and tender moments. While they haven't confirmed whether the baby will be a boy or a girl, they have revealed that they will finally meet their little one in the summer.
Additionally, Lele has shared with her followers the key beauty ritual she's been using during pregnancy: applying coconut oil to prevent stretch marks.
Why Do Stretch Marks Occur During Pregnancy?
As Eli Monté, founder of Mamita Botanical Skincare, explains to HOLA! "Stretch marks result from a physical process that happens in the deeper layers of the skin."
"When the skin stretches rapidly and abruptly, as it does during pregnancy, the collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis break. This leads to the characteristic marks that start off reddish or purplish and eventually turn white or silver, depending on the healing stage," Monté explains. "Stretch marks are essentially a form of internal scarring that occurs when the skin cannot keep up with the body's changes," she adds.
According to Monté, while anyone can develop stretch marks, certain skin-related factors increase the likelihood. These include the skin's natural hydration levels, its thickness, and genetics. She advises consistently applying a revitalizing oil to damp skin, starting from the feet and moving up toward the torso and arms.
"This movement stimulates circulation and allows for better absorption," she states. Additionally, she recommends spending extra time massaging areas prone to stretch marks—such as the abdomen, hips, and thighs—to enhance oil absorption and promote collagen and elastin production.
Does Lele Pons' Coconut Oil Method Work to Prevent Pregnancy Stretch Marks?
Marta Hermosín, a medical-pharmaceutical professional and cosmetology expert, explains to HOLA! that "coconut oil is a vegetable oil primarily composed of saturated fats."
"It acts as a lubricant, a butter-like substance that, due to its composition, can be used during pregnancy to hydrate the skin," she says.
According to the expert, oil-based products are generally beneficial for hydrating the skin and preventing stretch marks. However, she warns that "it is crucial to use virgin coconut oil that has not undergone refining or bleaching."
"It must be high-quality coconut oil with proper refinement," she states. "During the hydrogenation process, coconut oil undergoes changes, and only high-quality oils ensure safety for topical use," she details.
Additionally, the doctor highlights that coconut oil can be beneficial because it contains vitamins E and K, plant-based iron, and lauric acid, which is moisturizing and protective and helps regulate the skin's acid-base balance.
Coconut Oil Alone Isn't Enough
Despite these benefits, Dr. Hermosín warns that hydration must happen externally and internally. "There's no point in a mother applying coconut oil twice a day if she isn't properly hydrated from within," she explains. "The skin's hydrolipidic barrier (the balance between oil and water) must be maintained."
"For this, adequate water intake is essential," she emphasizes. Additionally, some women are more prone to stretch marks than others, so consulting a doctor is always advisable to determine your skin's baseline condition.
According to Dr. Hermosín, this is the best way to "assess whether you need oil-based creams or even specialized water-based pastes for pregnancy, which provide extra reinforcement in key areas—such as the lower part of the belly, which is the most vulnerable to stretch marks."