stretch marks?

[RavenSpirit2k4]

Does anyone know of a way to get rid of them?

 

[intrigued]

I hate to see a thread viewed often but not replied to, so I did a little googling for you. The truth is, (which I already knew but wanted to be certain nothing new has developed, lol) I have no good news for you, I'm sorry.

I found 2 half decent links, everything else was yet another ad for products to treat them, but they don't work. As for myself, I didn't have any after my first child was born, but I developed them with my second. They have faded quite a bit in 7 years, but they are still visible, and I take very good care of my skin. I took all the precautions you are supposed to take to avoid them, and still got them.

Here ya go:

http://beauty.ivillage.com/body/basics/smarks/article/0,,221841,00.html

http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/stretchmarks/l/aastretchmarks.htm

 

[Ms_Lilith]

I've found that vitamin E oil rubbed on the skin, and vitamin E capsules have helped.

I don't know if that's supposed to work or not, but I have rather a lot of stretch marks, and that's minimized the appearance of them.. instead of appearing purple, or whatever they were when I first got them, they're now even with the rest of my skin tone (except during times when I have or should be having a period ... my period being stopped by Depo, at the moment).

 

[RavenSpirit2k4]

Thanks, you two. I really aprreciate it. Every time I tried searching the only thing I could find was ads for creams and stuff like that.

I got my stretch marks on my breasts from where they used to swell so much on my period. They still swell, but not so bad I can't fit into my bra. I've never had kids, so that just goes to show that's not the only way to get them.

 

[trinityjons]

My understanding is that you're stuck with them. It's a tearing of the dermal layer of the skin so creams aren't supposed to work. That being said, ULTA sells something called Strivectin SD, which is supposedly clinically proven. It's like $175 a tube too.

At least you're in good company

 

[sheath]

.

 

[Kiss Me]

If your skin is prone to stretchmarks they will appear at any opportunity involving stretching of the skin due to growth, weight gain or pregnancy and very little will help unfortunately. I developed more than my fair share when puberty struck and I suddenly grew taller. Ended up with glaringly obvious, bright red marks behind my knees, thighs and on my arms from growing 40 cm in one year. I applied all the creams, oils and cocoa butter baths for years which was supposed to help but nothing worked except time. Now after 3 children and doubling my weight in each pregnancy I have stretch marks on top of previous stretchmarks that were so deep they would bleed when I scratched in my sleep. Vitamin E capsules seemed to do more than the cream itself, helping them fade faster and stopped the itching that was plaguing me, so all I can recommend is make applying it an aftershower routine every day and just wait for time to fade them.

 

[Zonny]

I had stretchmarks on my back from a growthspurt in highschool. I went through a laser procedure at the dermatologist to burn them off. It was quite expensive, not covered by insurance, and didn't work. They turned really purple for a few days afterwards and then began to heal - but now instead of stretchmarks I have light scars on my back. People say it looks like I was whipped.

 

[warrior queen]

you could try bio-oil.
i've had great results with it for other scarring (i escaped the stretch-marks), and it's a cheaper alternative to try than most of the other stuff out there.

here's a link to their information website.

it's good stuff - i swear by it for my other scars.... they've faded to almost nothing!

 

[crazybbwgirl]

Age! Age is the only thing that makes them any better. By the time you're my age they will be small and silvery and not so noticable. (see - there ARE good things about getting older!) lol

 

[vargas111]

Stretch marks are like epalets on a general's shoulder: a badge of honor. If a man thinks a pregnant tummy is sexy -- and who doesn't -- he will love the stretch marks they leave.

Get over it! They're sexy!

 

[RavenSpirit2k4]

Stretch marks are like epalets on a general's shoulder: a badge of honor. If a man thinks a pregnant tummy is sexy -- and who doesn't -- he will love the stretch marks they leave.

Get over it! They're sexy!

Ah, but what about long scarred marks on breasts?

 

[Ms_Lilith]

Ah, but what about long scarred marks on breasts?

And what about those of us who got stretch marks for other things?

I had a 6 inch growth spurt when I was 13, and got many from that, and being rather overweight hasn't helped me with the stretch marks, either.

 

[Metal_Monkey]

Stretch marks are different than other scars so they won't react the same way to scar-reducing topical treatments. Your best bet is to condition your skin with lotions before, during, and after, growth spurts or any large loss/gain of weight - but that is only a preventative measure. Over time, stretch marks will change color from purple/red to more natural skin tones. Don't worry about them, more people have stretch marks than you realize. They're a part of life. Even celebrities have stretch marks - but that's what airbrushing is for (no joke, it's in their contracts to get airbrushed).

 

[PPG88]

I haven't found a way to get rid of them per say I still have them around my knees and thighs but I have found that vitamin E oil will help fade them

 

[SweetSnaffle]

I have so many stretch marks in so many directions on my upper thoughs that i look almost plaid!

They do lighten up, but they feel... crinkly?

I got them when i had a very bad infection and was *losing* weight?? it was bizzare! Of course, i got more when i gained the weight back again, but not nearly as many....

Lights off helps my insecurities about them.

Cocoa butter is supposed to help too.
I use Vit E and Zinc as well.

 

[SnoopDog]

I do have them on my belly and shoulder/arms since I gained a lot of weight when I was 16-18. Now I've lost all the weight, which I'm happy about, but of course those marks always remind me of my 'larger' days.

I'm absolutely cool with them, they don't really gross me out. But I fear that species of the opposite sex may find them a turn-off.



Snoopy

 

[assister49]

They do fade with time. And something must also happen to our brain - because they just don't bother us as much anymore either.

- A mom with stretch marks, and many gravity induced "features", but still sexy.

 

[Meat Whistler]

I do have them on my belly and shoulder/arms since I gained a lot of weight when I was 16-18. Now I've lost all the weight, which I'm happy about, but of course those marks always remind me of my 'larger' days.

I'm absolutely cool with them, they don't really gross me out. But I fear that species of the opposite sex may find them a turn-off.



Snoopy

As for the original inquiry, there is really nothing you can do to make them disappear. However, emu oil, Vitamin E Oil, or Cocoa Butter (preferrably unrefined, 100% oil) will help to diminish the pink of the stretch marks and over time, it will fade into a whiter color that is still visible, but less noticable.

 

[Ms_Lilith]

I do have them on my belly and shoulder/arms since I gained a lot of weight when I was 16-18. Now I've lost all the weight, which I'm happy about, but of course those marks always remind me of my 'larger' days.

I'm absolutely cool with them, they don't really gross me out. But I fear that species of the opposite sex may find them a turn-off.



Snoopy

My sweetheart has them on his shoulderblades, legs, inner upper arms, and a bit on his sides. He used to be a tall, gangly creature, and then just before he met me, what with playing hockey and working out, he just kind of ballooned.. muscularly... and his body couldn't grow fast enough to compensate. So he's got them, and I love them. I think they're beautiful on him.


But then, I suppose I'm biased.

 

[PPG88]

It's hard for me to believe I had them from working out when I was younger

 

[SnoopDog]

Good to see that some people are not totally turned-off by them

Snoopy

 

[Metal_Monkey]

emu oil, Vitamin E Oil, or Cocoa Butter (preferrably unrefined, 100% oil)

Actually, uncut Cocoa Butter is 100% solid at room temperature. It's really expensive, but if something is going to make your skin better, that's your best bet. Cocoa butter is the most stable "oil" on the planet, the most heat resistant, and its medicinal properties are outstanding. It's derived from cocoa beans after they've been harvested and fermented. The beans get processed such that the cocoa butter is seperated from the cocoa powder. Combine the two again with a little sugar (sometimes a little bit of milk solids - guess what that makes) and voila! Chocolate!

Any more chocolate questions? I'm the chocolate queen. I went to school for it. No joke.

 

[RavenSpirit2k4]

Good to see that some people are not totally turned-off by them

Snoopy

Yep! And at least "hey I like them" to boot. Definitely makes me feel better.

 

[PPG88]

I don't think a girl has ever said anything about them