Stretch marks every where!

jessard

Im 23weeks and im noticing im getting stretch marks on my legs back stomach and back I use cream but its not working. And advice!?!

asun123

accept it.

Luccie

Drink water, and continue to keep the skin hydrated.  I know that people love to say that only genetics matter.  However, that is not entirely accurate.  While research shows that there is not much that can be done to completely prevent stretch marks, there are several studies that indicate that regular massage with a lotion (different formulas depending on the study, but frequently with hyaluronic acid which is surprisingly absent from most stretch mark creams) reduces that the occurrence of severe stretch marks and reduces the overall severity of the stretch marks that do appear. 

So just keep at it, and be glad that it's not worse. 

NittanyPA

asun123 said:

accept it.

This. LOL

Luccie

To the naysayers:  you are wrong!  I don't care what your doctor told you, but you are wrong.  If you don't spend time reading academic articles on striae gravidarum (the medical term for stretch marks), you are actually just speaking out your wazoo rather than basing your responses from sound empirical research.  The least informed people always seem to be confident in their ignorance.

There are several studies stating that you can reduce the severity of severe stretch marks.  There is not enough research to specify to what extent you can prevent them.  I just so happen to be a researcher/lecturer who works in a field that is tangentially related, so I have actually read the studies, unlike most medical doctors because it really is not related to their training.  Given the need for further research in area, I am completely astounded that so many people who probably have never even bother themselves to do the research can make the strong conclusion that only genetics matter.  

Stay hydrated, use a lubricant on problem areas, and hope for the best.  Ignore the vocal, ignorant masses.

Luccie

Here's an abstract of just one of many academic articles that discuss possible methods for preventing stretch marks: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjd.13426/abstract.  

CatsAreShady

Luccie said:

To the naysayers:  you are wrong!  I don't care what your doctor told you, but you are wrong.  If you don't spend time reading academic articles on striae gravidarum (the medical term for stretch marks), you are actually just speaking out your wazoo rather than basing your responses from sound empirical research.  The least informed people always seem to be confident in their ignorance.

There are several studies stating that you can reduce the severity of severe stretch marks.  There is not enough research to specify to what extent you can prevent them.  I just so happen to be a researcher/lecturer who works in a field that is tangentially related, so I have actually read the studies, unlike most medical doctors because it really is not related to their training.  Given the need for further research in area, I am completely astounded that so many people who probably have never even bother themselves to do the research can make the strong conclusion that only genetics matter.  

Stay hydrated, use a lubricant on problem areas, and hope for the best.  Ignore the vocal, ignorant masses.

Wow. That escalated quickly and for no reason whatsoever. Klassy.

You just said stay hydrated, use lubricant, and hope for the best. "Hope for the best." I guess that's scientific terminology for "it probably won't work."

Reducing Severity =/= Prevention.

CaliforniaDream87

smeame14 said:

Sorry hun, you are pregnant!  Its completely normal (stretchmarks are GENETIC)!  You can't stop them, no matter what you do, no matter what you try, you can not prevent them.  Welcome to the world of having a child.....Nothing to be ashamed of- having stretchmarks among many other things.

Exactly. Stretch marks are genetic, period.

However, feel free to keep your skin hydrated

Luccie

 "Hope for the best." I guess that's scientific terminology for "it probably won't work."  

No, it's terminology for hope that you aren't predisposed to severe stretch marks.

"Reducing Severity =/= Prevention."

Really?  Prevention is the "action of stopping something from occurring."  There are ways of stopping severe stretch marks from occurring.   I thought that preventing severe stretch marks was part of the purpose.  Maybe, I'm mistaken.  However, I believe if most women knew that they could reduce the occurrence of severe stretch marks and reduce the appearance of other stretch marks, they would do whatever possible.  I'm trying to provide well-researched responses, not unfounded assumptions.

HaruhiChan

My belly says otherwise about hydration and lotions and coconut oil, almond oil, apricot oil, you name it. :P

But the lotions feel nice on the itch! But, didn't stop stretchmarks at all, or reduce severity. So, I'm just going to enjoy them and shrug off anyone who criticizes them.

The stretchmarks form on the deepest layer of skin, no lotion, oil, or any topical ointment is going to reach it to make a dent.

Perhaps we should stop the mentality that women need to fight them and spend more time encouraging women to feel better about themselves regardless of their "imperfections". Society places too much importance on looks.

CatsAreShady

Luccie said:

 "Hope for the best." I guess that's scientific terminology for "it probably won't work."  

No, it's terminology for hope that you aren't predisposed to severe stretch marks.

"Reducing Severity =/= Prevention."

Really?  Prevention is the "action of stopping something from occurring."  There are ways of stopping severe stretch marks from occurring.   I thought that preventing severe stretch marks was part of the purpose.  Maybe, I'm mistaken.  However, I believe if most women knew that they could reduce the occurrence of severe stretch marks and reduce the appearance of other stretch marks, they would do whatever possible.  I'm trying to provide well-researched responses, not unfounded assumptions.

Prevention is the "action of stopping something from occurring." Reducing Severity means they have already occurred but action is being taken to lessen the effects. It's not the same.

Many times, stretch marks will fade over time anyway. They may not disappear completely but their appearance will improve. Right now they 'may' get worse since it's only the OP's 2nd trimester and her belly is continuing to grow.

I stayed hydrated, used creams several times a day, coconut oil, Shea butter, etc. Still got stretch marks. I couldn't prevent them from happening. Same for many other people. Enjoy the creams because they'll help that dry itchy feeling that happens when skin stretches rapidly but they won't stop the stretch marks from occurring.

CatsAreShady

Also, @Luccie you said "No, it's terminology for hope that you aren't predisposed to stretch marks."

You mean....hope that it's not genetic? So exactly how is what you said different from what everyone else said? All you had to say was "you can't prevent it but there are ways that you can maybe reduce the severity." Instead you called everyone else ignorant for no reason.

Luccie

Let me simplify this for you.  You can reduce the occurrence, as mentioned in the academic article I posted.  But, if you are genetically inclined to get stretch marks you will get more than others who are less so inclined.  If you did absolutely nothing, you would probably have gotten even more stretch marks.  Accordingly, you should compare yourself with yourself, not other people.  For example, you should think of it this way:  You when chose to do absolutely nothing and being completely covered with severe stretch markers versus You when you chose to absolutely everything and being covered with a few moderate stretch marks. You still may have stretch marks, but they will be less visible than if you had done nothing.  I consider that a victory.

Moreover, I'm not sure why you are debating this point and relying upon semantics to prove an empty point.  You can simply do the research on the issue.  Perhaps, you need to tell yourself that you can't do anything to make yourself feel better about them and make them seem inevitable.  But, that is inaccurate, and I simply do not why some women think they simply know better than the scientists who have actually investigated this issue and refuse to look at the empirical evidence.  I'm a scientist, so I prefer to look at the evidence rather than rely upon baseless opinions.

HaruhiChan

"Prevention"
And they've only gotten worse. So going by your theory, I should be a lot worse. Yep, hydration and lotions and such totally work (not)

They've only gotten worse from this photo.

There's my "baseless" opinion.

Luccie

Okay, you win.  I thought everyone was implying that only genetics matters and that you should just accept your stretch marks .  If the point is that you likely cannot completely prevent them, but you can prevent very severe stretch marks and mitigate against the damage, then I must have misunderstood what comments like "accept it" in response to a post about stretch marks means.  

I thought people might actually benefit from a response based on research rather than opinion or anecdotes.  My bad.  

CatsAreShady

Luccie said:

Okay, you win.  I thought everyone was implying that only genetics matters and that you should just accept your stretch marks .  If the point is that you likely cannot completely prevent them, but you can prevent very severe stretch marks and mitigate against the damage, then I must have misunderstood what comments like "accept it" in response to a post about stretch marks means.  

I thought people might actually benefit from a response based on research rather than opinion or anecdotes.  My bad.  

I get that. And no that wasn't what people were saying, just that you can't really prevent it. People here love research, I just didn't see the difference in what you were saying and how that made everyone else who answered "ignorant".

It's cool. Let's hug it out >:D<

BabyShant

I was told that stretch marks are genetics unfortunately. So if if it's your genes there's nothing much you can do. But to help with itching you can keep hydrated (drink water and use belly butter)

kelseyb40

Stretch marks are genetic but my doctor recommended vitamin e oil which I used during my first pregnancy and now this one as well. I still have some stretch marks but not as many as some other women in my family so it may help. Who knows though

RobinaCee

Embrace them!