Stretch Marks

What will help in the prevention of stretch marks?

Stretch Marks
Most women will get some type of strech marks during their pregnancy because the skin has to stretch to accomodate the growing baby. Actually,75% to 90% of women will develop stretch marks during their pregnancy. When the skin is stretched to a point where it loses its elasticity and breaks down, stretch marks begin to appear. Stretch marks usually appear on the abdomen, buttocks,breasts, thighs and arms during pregnancy. Stretch marks usually appear around the sixth month of pregnancy.

There is no guaranteed way of preventing stretch marks. However, using cocoa butter several times a day, every day, may offer some protection. Eat a balanced diet and try to only gain the recommended amount of weight. Drinking plenty of water will help to keep your skin well hydrated. Once stretch marks have appeared, there is no way to remove the scars completely without surgery. Topical creams and lotions provide symptomatic relief and the stretch marks may fade over time. If you want to permanently remove the scars from stretch marks, plastic surgery is an option. Laser surgery and blue light therapy are both used to permanently remove the scars. Laser surgery can be painful and is a very expensive treatment procedure.

Although the inevitable stretch marks may not be what you wanted, they are a reminder of the precious baby that you grew inside of your body for nine months!

Comments: Stretch Marks

Comments 1 to 24 of about 58.
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tamaraandgio - 21 days ago.
am almost 14wks,try natural remedy garlic and olive wil do u wondaz

lissie *team blue* - 159 days ago.
I gained 50 pounds-ish w/each pregnancy and didn't get any noticable stretch marks w/my first 3 pregnancies. I just had baby #4 who was overdue and very large and I am noticing that I have stretch marks this time. I was only 2 pounds heavier w/this baby but ironically my baby was more than 2 pounds bigger than my last! I could tell my clothes were tight in the belly--even my maternity shirts yet my pants were fine. Anyway, I am a little bummed that I escaped 3x but didn't this last time. I feel a little proud of it too? Wierd? I mean i was able to carry 9.7 pound baby and I am smaller woman so I'm proud of myself. I gained the least amound of weight but started out a litltle bigger. I'm also proud that I gained 15 less than any otehr pregancy even if I ended up the same weight. And I went OVER DUE. Just adding my experience. I am waiting to lose weight to see how bad the stetch marks will be. I only have one big big and it goes horizontally across my belly. MOst women I've seen got them vertically. Anyone else get them horizontally??

ssjazzma212 - 232 days ago.
I am 32 and had my last child 10years ago. I did not get many marks. I know when i found out i bought something right away to use. I am not sure if that is why i did not get many. I am now 10weeks pregnant and worried this time might be different. I am 50 lbs more starting out this time. With my girl i gained 21 lbs i think that helped too. I guess i will see. I have bought and have been using cream already to get the skin ready. Lol :).

Terressagirl - 316 days ago.
This is good to know. I have tried everything from Burts Bees but way to oily. I’ve tried every product too at whole foods almost. I do the at home facial with the Riiviva Microdermabrasion tool for my acne scarring and it’s terrific. Its here at http://www.riiviva.com. Do you have any recommendations as to what avenue to take for mositurizing with out all the oily residue that happens when I use oils. Thanks

mama2LT - 498 days ago.
I started getting stretch mark at like 6 months with DS hes almost a year old...and theyre barely starting to fade but I'm pregnant again but idc I'm prepared I'm happy...I was a little I guess jealous idk if that's the right word to use but when my SIL didnt get marks my sister is 9 days from her due date and she doesn't have them either and they are both stick thin where as i am not fat but I'm not thin...well I got over questioning why me and not them...im about to have 2 kids and I love my body as far as the stretch marks...they'll just be a reminder of the 9 months I went thru w/ my babies :))

Donna (Blue) - 508 days ago.
my mum has really bad stretchmarks all over her tummy she had 3 babies and got them worse with her last child. I on the other hand am pregnant with my 4th baby and i have no stretchmarks on my tummy. I have a few around my boobs at the side and the back of my knees. oh and 2 tiny marks on my hips. so its not always true if your parents had them so will you.

preggersnhappy - 508 days ago.
So ladies, it is genetic. As you mom and your grandma if they got them, if so then you probably will too.Creams may help but will NOT prevent.

IrinaJ - 556 days ago.
I'm starting early with the creams...not taking any chances with stretch marks! 8 weeks and using Palmer's Cocoa Butter/Shea Butter designed for reducing stretch marks...hoping it works!

cocoandrico - 689 days ago.
Bio-oil can cause irritation for some people. Aloe Vera is a gentle alternative for people with sensitive skin. Rubbing Aloe into your belly increases skin’s elasticity, reducing the appearance and severity of stretch marks. It also helps with existing scars by increasing cell turnover and speeding the healing process. I found a site called 'We Love Aloe' that has some product suggestions and info on making your own if interested.

firsttimemummy20 - 898 days ago.
I am 35 weeks and had one stretch Mark on my hip until about week 29 UNTIL I started using bio oil then I got a whole bunch of them so I stopped and started using it again because the marks were looking darker now I have them bloody everywhere and their really itchy! I sware bio oil is encouraging them!! Jut my luck to get loads in the last month !!

cinderella*~** - 942 days ago.
i get very confused with stretch marks, i dnt have any on my stomache but have them on the back of my knees and lower thighs :( i use coco body wash and cream every morning and night. i just dont think there is anything u can do to avoid them.

rydersmomma - 976 days ago.
i didnt get my stretch marks till weel 37 :(

maggiek - 985 days ago.
Hi abisola, I started getting them on my 1st pregnancy well into my 3rd trimester as this is when most of the weight is gained.... Although some people don't get them at all....you may be one of the lucky ones!!

abisola - 985 days ago.
Am in my 22 weeks and still good as new but just wondering wen the marks starts showing?.

kaitiemo - 1002 days ago.
JLea- I am right there with you! I am so bummed I got them because everyone I know, including my mom, escaped all pregnancies stretch mark free! Not fair! lol I have been using vitamin-E oil for the past 2 months and it seems to be helping more than every other lotion or oil I have used. I have also heard that the Mederma lotion works wonders, but was told not to bother using it until after the baby is born. For now I would try the vitamin-E oil morning and night, after showing, or when you are just sitting around. Good Luck!

JLea - 1003 days ago.
Holy stretch marks! My stomach is officially covered from my belly button down...only about 3 small ones above it. What works best to minimize the appearance? I feel like I've used every Palmer's product out there with no luck! Help! I've heard of bio oil? Anyone know if this works? Some else told me mederma had a good one? I'll have to look into the revitol someone suggested here.

ericakay26 - 1060 days ago.
hey guys! There is a really good cream called revitol. I used it and it really helped!! it actually worked to fade my stretch marks!

nicole35 - 1094 days ago.
I blamed my genes for looking like zebra after pregnancy( lost the weight but stretch marks covered whole belly) until a co-worker of mine showed me her belly after 3 kids--no marks! She told me the only way to get rid of them is to abrade top layer of the skin, this is the layer that cracked. This procedure costs $200 per treatment in dermatologist office but she is getting those same abrasion crystals at fraction price and makes her own abrasive cream (1 spoon crystals+ 2 spoons lotion). This is the link http://www.medicalcrystals.com Their customer service is extremely nice and they always answered all my questions for my skin type. I started my treatments 1 month ago and they shrunk and faded significantly, hopefully, this summer I'll have my skin back.

MrsGuidry - 1098 days ago.
Im 4 months and starting to get some pretty little purple ones on my hips and boobs.I started taking warm baths with baby oil in my water.When Im done in there I use cocoa butter everywhere!!! Only time will tell if it helps :) anything to give my skin some stretchiness lol.

ashleykerr - 1137 days ago.
So I am 16 and I am 4months pregnant, stretch marks are just starting to show up, It sucks but it's a part of it:). So i was wondering if anyone had and suggestions on what I can use on them that is safe for baby and might actually work?

xfirstxtimexmommyx55 - 1147 days ago.
IM 25 WEEKS PREGNANT AND STRETCH MARKS HAVE JUST SHOWN UP BELOW MY BELLY BUTTON.... THEY ARENT DEEP BUT I USE BIO OIL...AND COCOA AND SHEA BUTTER.....THE BIO OIL I RUB MYSELF DOWN WITH..I THINK IT HELPS KEEP THEM LIGHTER....IM JUST GOING TO KEEP USING IT....CANT HURT...IM JUST SO MAD THAT THEY JUST POPPED UP ...UGHHHHHHH

Mama2B 01-10-10 - 1231 days ago.
so i got through my entire pregnancy (and life for that matter) without getting a single stretch mark... only to get stretch marks on my breasts AFTER delivery due to engorgement! ahh well... i can't complain, just funny how that works sometimes.

sandraw - 1259 days ago.
Hi everyone! I heard that cocoa butter lotion is the best way to get rid of strechmarks but my sister informed me that Palmer's products are under class action suit. I visited the site palmerssettlement dot com and the suit seemed legit.

1x.brandi.x7 - 1307 days ago.
My stretch marks have gotten soooooooooooooooooooooo bad this time and in the past few days a whole bunch of red itchy ones have popped up.... they even look like they've broke open a little bit. THey are so itchy and sore i don't know what to do. I've tried cocoa butter and anti itch stuff and aloe nothing NOTHING is working any one have any advice. Maybe i'll try ice...

happybabymama(Shellie) - 1323 days ago.
I'm only 5 weeks so i haven't started getting stretch marks yet, but my friend told me to use 'Mother's Friend' from the Wal-mart pharmacy (its over the counter, but you have to ask for it). She didn't get any stretch marks and she got pretty big and she was really little to start with.