Stretch Mark Disaster!

Updated on March 04, 2008
F.G. asks from Austin, TX
29 answers

Okay, I know you ladies know a lot about this stuff, so here goes. Last time I was pregnant I used the stretch mark formula cocoa butter stuff everyday twice a day and I still got stretch marks worse than anyone in my family. They start on my legs and they go up above my belly button. When they first appeared they were bright red and looked like flames licking up my stomach. And the pain was horrible. My skin was so sore and it felt like my flesh had been ripped open.
Anyway, I couldn't prevent them because of genetics, I suppose. But what can I do to GET RID OF THEM?! I know I'm not ever going to look exactly like I did before, but is there anything that will help them fade fast and heal nicely? I'm pregnant still with my second, but I want to be prepared. Does anyone know of anything that will help to replace the collagen and elastin and smooth the skin? Any suggestions and/or personal experiences on what worked for you would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much in advance!

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S.S.

answers from Houston on

I do promote a company that has a lotion for that and also vitamin E. with the combination of both and water you should start getting results. Let me know how to put you in contact with them.

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A.E.

answers from San Antonio on

I asked two different doctors and read several different articles and all of them told me the same thing..... genetics are a pain to deal with--you can't prevent them just like you can't get rid of them . I like you did everything I could and still could not keep them from happening. My sister did nothing and she got none (I wanted to slap her ;)). They will fade over time... mine are nearly as dark even after my second pregancy as they were the first time around. I do know that Avon has a stretch mark cream that helps them fade but does NOT make any claim to totally getting rid of them. It really does work pretty well. It is called Refine Stretch Mark cream.... no I don't seel it but I used to and I do know where you can get it if you want to try it. Other than that, stretch marks are pretty much annoying becuase we don't have any control over them. But don't loose heart they will fade.

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A.K.

answers from Houston on

Strivectin works great but it is expensive. The cheapest place i found it is online at www.skinstore.com. It really works but you have to use it like it says. Hope this helps and i totally feel you're pain!!!

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A.P.

answers from Odessa on

I am a mother of four and only experienced the stretch marks with my first child where I gained nearly 40 lbs and gained it too quickly. I think that was where the problem was, I gained it far too quickly.

I'm not sure there is an effective way to "erase" stretch marks. I have recently lost a lot of weight and no matter how many abdominal exercises I do I still have a piece of blub over my abs. I attribute that to stretched out skin because I can feel the strong muscular abs underneath.

Anyway, my oldest is now 14 years old and I still haven't found a miracle salve or anything else of that nature that takes away the stretch marks. I think they are just the battle scars of motherhood. I'm told that chicks dig guys with scars, so maybe it holds true for the opposite?

M.I.

answers from San Antonio on

Hello, I'm a mom of two little girls (2 1/2 yrs and 14 mos). During my first pregnancy I had several stretch marks and a dark scar from having a C-section. However my 2nd pregnancy was very different for me. After my first daughter was born I began shopping with an incredible wellness company and they had a big part in why everything went better for my 2nd pregnancy. First I began with taking their vitamins which really helped me have extra energy and be able to keep up with my little girl while being pregnant with my 2nd. I also began using their lotion and it made my skin so soft and elastic that I did not get the stretch marks like the first time when using the cocoa butter lotion and it took away the stretch marks I originally had. I had to have another C-section and after surgury I began using a gel over my scar and it made my scar heal much quicker and it is now just a thin very light pink line. My recovery time was also much quicker the second time which I believe was partly due to the great vitamins. Anyways I can't say enough about how this company has help me and my family. Oh the lotion that I used is also great for diaper rash when your little one arrives. The other thing that I love about all these products is that I know I'm providing a safer, healthier environment for my kids which gives me great peace of mind knowing that I don't have to expose them to all the harsh chemicals out there. Sorry this was so long but I wanted to fully share what helped me. Check out the website and request more info if you would like to try out these wonderful products. Congrats on your little one on the way. I wish you all the best.
M. www.livetotalwellness.com/freedom

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D.L.

answers from Houston on

Strivectin SD. It's very expensive, but it works to help heal the skin. You can find it at department stores, Dillards, Macy's, places like that! It does go a long way though!

Good luck!

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M.F.

answers from Austin on

I discovered the Origins Precipitation Lotion worked the best. It relieved my itching and had a mild smell. I Have been using the lotion since and think it's worth every penny (buy the large bottle, expensive but I think it's worth it).

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E.R.

answers from McAllen on

Arbonne is a great product!!! I'm a new customer to Arbonne.

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I.L.

answers from Killeen on

Yep, you can use that lotion all you want, and I really believe it's all genetic. Also, someone gave me that stuff when I was pregnant and I saw it had mineral oil in it! EWW! Arbonne's Re9 Body serum and lotion is the best stuff! I can show you some amazing before and after photos! It's of a woman who had like 8 kids or something, and it tightened up the skin on her stomach. I'm using it on my stretch marks(yes they look like FLAMES up my sides!).

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C.H.

answers from San Antonio on

HI,
I know of a lotion called Renew. It is made by a company called Melaleuca. If you want to find out how to order it, let me know.

C..
____@____.com

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D.C.

answers from Austin on

I don't know how to make them go away but I did go through the same thing with my first. The only thing I know is that the second time was much easier. All the stretch marks were already there so you don't get more and they weren't terribly itchy and sore the way they were the first time.

A.R.

answers from Houston on

ARBONNE RE-9 Body Serum & Lotion Set! I have had clients tell me it helped them with their stretch marks. Let me know if you are interested, I'll give you my discount! Peace Mama, A.

www.arbonne.com
#10408107

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R.L.

answers from Houston on

I also had the angry red strech marks all across my belly. All throughout my pregnancy I used all kinds of lotions and cocoa butter lotion, it didn't really help prevent them, but it did help the itch.

After I had my son someone told me about the little yellow stick. It is 100% pure cocoa butter in a stick. I get it at Wallgreens, and it actually made the red marks fade. Now they are still there but barely noticeable. So while you probably can't get rid of them you can get them to fade quite a bit and feel as close to your old self as possible. I don't even notice mine anymore.

Good luck!

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L.S.

answers from Houston on

It seems like they do fade alot as time gose by, I know if I tan you can't really see mine. And I have them on my legs and stomach.They will fade in the next couple years.

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M.S.

answers from Houston on

I don't think you can ever get rid of stretch marks, but I have heard over and over that they fade over time. Be careful on spending your money on a miracle cream, collagen and elastin cannot be put back into skin, and skin cannot be smoothed, but it does help to eat well and drink lots of water. I have bad ones on my belly, and I gradually gained 20lbs, used creams. I already think mine look a little better after 9 months. After I am done having kids I am going to get laser treatments. My husband has a client that was getting them done and the scars look better.

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W.D.

answers from Sherman on

Mary Kay has a wonderful lotion called Visibly Fit body lotion. It's fantastic! And the best part is Mary Kay's products are 100% satisfaction guaranteed. If you don't love it or it's not right for you, you can exchange it or get a full refund even if you've used every last bit of it!!!
Good luck!

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R.W.

answers from Houston on

F.,
Hello I am a work from home mother of 3. One of the companies I work for is Avon. Tried and true they still have the best products on the market at the most affordable prices. The key to Avon's success. Is that they guarantee everything! We have a stretch mark cream that my customers swear by. If you are not happy Avon will credit you. So since you have nothing to loose why not go to www.youravon.com/raemaleewalsh and give it a try. I think you will be very pleased. When I was pregnant I did not know Avon had a product. I used the co co butter too and I did not notice any difference. I hope this helps.
Blessings,
R.
Your Avon Lady

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C.B.

answers from Houston on

not to scam anyone but I have a product that works well.

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R.

answers from San Antonio on

I have the same problem. My doctor told me a strech mark is actually a scar. Some of the over the counter scar treatments help a bit.

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N.G.

answers from Houston on

Baby Oil! I used it through four pregnancies and not a stretch mark on my belly.

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G.K.

answers from Austin on

Try breaking open vitamin E capsules and rubbing the gel into the affected area. You can usually find them fairly inexpensive and it helps promote healing.

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N.S.

answers from San Antonio on

Italian women swear by olive oil.

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J.G.

answers from Houston on

Find an ARBONNE consultant and get the Celluite Scrub and Cream. It is fabulous. I have seen it work miraclkes on what others thought was impossible... goon the arbonne sight and see if you are interested in it.
arbonne.com It is called FIGURE 8 VANISH It is a cellulite prehower scrub and then the Figure 8 conturing cellulite cream for after the shower. Hope this helps. Also there is a 45 money back guarantee so there is no investment. This is an all narual product..The scrub has guarana, shea butter, olive oil, green tea,cocoa extracts. The cream hass caffeine, horse chestnuts, goto kola and arnica extracts. I think you would love the way your legs feel and how they look after using it. It is not automatic but it comes/
J.

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K.W.

answers from Houston on

Hi,

I am not sure if anyone else has responded to your request yet, but I have found that the MaryKay Time Wise Cellu-Shape works great for restoring collagen and elastin and leaves my skin feeling a lot more smoother. I love this product; it works fantastically; I am a true believer.......
If you are interested in trying it, just reply back to me and I would be happy to tell you how you can get the Time Wise Cellu-Shape.

Sincerely,
K. W.

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H.F.

answers from San Angelo on

I am sure you are wise enough to see that people who sell a product, think it is the best product and want to sell it to you. I wouldn't waste a lot of money and emotional investment on a bunch of "products." I haven't had the severity of stretch marks that you have, but I can say that the redness and most of the discoloration fades with time. The only things that I have ever heard that really repair skin damage, are aloe vera and vitamin E. There is a product on the market that you can find at Walmart (it is also expensive) and it is supposed to fade scars - either old or new. Another option for later, if you have a lot of excess skin and really bad stretch marks, is a tummy tuck. It is expensive 8-10 thousand and you will have a smiley face scar from hip to hip...so you will have to decide which is worse. If you watch what you eat you will have an easier time getting the tummy down and your skin will continue to "go back" for 2-5 years after the baby is born. Seriously, they will fade with time!

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M.K.

answers from Houston on

when i was pregnant the first time i used all the creams, but i got the worst stretch marks, my husband told me i looked like the victim of a bear mauling (nice) but i really did, they were wide angry claw marks all over my belly, thighs and breasts.
but 2 years later they were completely gone, i didnt use any creams or anything, your skin will heal itself.
now i am preg with my second andat 8 months i have no strecth marks coz i havnt put on so much weight.
creams dont help beacuse its your skin tearing apart, and it has to heal afterwards, the only thing is your skin will always have a different feel to it, it will feel crepey.
time will heal them

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R.N.

answers from Beaumont on

Collagen is a natural body production. It cannot be duplicated. My suggestion is research on the Internet.
Next step, plastic surgeon.

I was a surgical assistant for many years. Some people scar worse than others. It's just that way.

Sorry I could not be more helpful. Best wishes and congreatulations on the new baby.

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L.B.

answers from El Paso on

I got strech marks pretty bad also and tried all the creams. I found out that for some reason after my second pregnancy they just seemed to look better than after my first one. My sister was the same way. I think it just takes time and the loss of the weight to make them look better. Reguardless don't let yourself feel less beautiful because you are a valuable mother and treasured woman!:)

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J.S.

answers from Houston on

Drink LOTS of water and keep applying moisturizer... they're less noticeable when your skin isn't dry. I'd also recommend doing some ab exercises, a toned tummy also has less noticeable stretch marks.

I got the same thing, stretch marks on my thighs up to right under my chest. It's just genetic, unfortunately! Mine took a LONG time to fade. My son is 3 1/2 and a few of them still look pink, although most have faded to skin-color by now.

Other than that, I am going to share my husband's advice: don't worry too much about them. They're a badge of honor, a mark of a rite of passage in your life. My husband tells me he thinks they make me more beautiful, because they are evidence of the miracle we created.

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