Frequently Asked Questions
We have developed a list of FAQ’s to help you become more informed on ProCollagen-C™ and its ability to help prevent pregnancy stretch marks. If you still have questions please feel free to contact us and we will respond to all inquiries within 1-2 business days.
Is Procollagen-C™ safe?
Yes! All the ingredients in Procollagen-C™ have been shown to be safe for mother and baby. The active ingredient is all natural and it is uniquely stabilized in an all-natural vehicle that is safe for mother and baby. It is fragrance and preservative free. ProCollagen-C is cruelty free, no animal testing.
How common are pregnancy stretch marks?
Stretch marks are extremely common, as clinical studies indicate 50-90% of pregnant women develop them. Read more about pregnancy and stretch marks here.
At what point in my pregnancy can stretch marks begin to occur and when should I start using Procollagen-C™?
You can never start too early! Stretch marks can occur as early as 6 weeks with almost half (43%) by week 24. One study reported 10% of women reported stretch marks before week 12. (Brit J Derm 155:965-969, 2006)
How long does one bottle of ProCollagen-C™ last?
A one ounce, 30 mL bottle, should last about 4-6 weeks. However, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, you may need more or less for full coverage. It also depends if you apply to other at risk area such as breasts and hips.
I already have stretch marks, is it possible I can get rid of them?
Once stretch marks occur, there are no effective means to correct the scarring. The treatment options are only partially effective, expensive, and typically uncomfortable.
How does Vitamin C, or L-ascorbic acid, help prevent stretch marks?
Studies show that topical ascorbic acid, when formulated correctly, can promote collagen and elastin formation by stimulation of fibroblasts beyond what can be achieved by oral supplementation such as prenatal vitamin.
What is unique about ProCollagen-C?
What makes our product unique is its extended stability, optimized formulation, and clinical proven efficacy in prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy. No other product on the market has the science or the clinical trial experience. See Breakthrough.
Why isn’t the amount of ascorbic acid in my body enough?
Higher requirements of ascorbic acid are needed during pregnancy and cannot be obtained by increasing your oral intake of vitamin C. The only effective way to supplement your skin’s nutritional needs for vitamin C during pregnancy is through topical application of a stabilized formulation. See Breakthrough.
Can I just increase the amount of Vitamin C in my diet or with vitamin supplements?
Studies show that the amount of vitamin C that can be absorbed by diet or supplements is limited to around 400 mg a day. These studies show that increasing the amount taken orally by supplementation or diet simply will not be absorbed and do not increase blood levels of vitamin C.
Why does Vitamin C need to be applied topically rather than ingested?
If formulated correctly, topical ascorbic acid can achieve 20 times or higher the concentration in the skin that can be obtained by taking it by mouth. For more information on this topic please read more about our breakthrough Vitamin C discovery here.
Does ProCollagen-C™ really work?
A clinical trial showed that our ultra-stabilized topical formulation of vitamin C was able to reduce the incidence of stretch marks from over 90% down to only 4% of women during pregnancy. For more detailed information on our clinical breakthrough read here.
How does Procollagen-C™ differ from other topical vitamin C lotions or creams?
While it is easy to dissolve vitamin C in a lotion or cream, it is extremely difficult to stabilize it so that is lasts more than a few hours. Even if you manage to stabilize it, it must be a 10% or higher concentration to exert a beneficial effect. Then the formulation must have a pH below 3.5 to even have a chance of getting through the skin and then be formulated at this low pH so as to not be irritating. A common ploy is to use vitamin C esters which are more stable but studies show also much less ineffective. (Topical L-ascorbic acid: percutaneous absorption studies. Dermatol Surg 27:137-42, 2001)
What is the difference between a serum and a cream?
Serums leave out the ingredients that hold no health or beauty benefits such as petrolatum or mineral oil that keep water from evaporating. They also contain fewer lubricating and thickening agents, like oils that come from nuts or seeds. Most serums are water-based, eliminating oils altogether. The beauty of using a serum is that most of the fluids are eliminated leaving the product with a high concentration of active ingredients.
Why are serums more expensive than lotions?
Because you are getting a product in its purest form, (a product without the additives or thickeners) serums are the costliest product on the market. However, when applied properly once a day, your 1oz. bottle of Procollagen-C™ should 4-6 weeks depending on where it is applied (such as breasts and hips) and how far along you are in your pregnancy. Serums are made of very small molecules, so the skin absorbs them quickly and deeply.