Stretch marks cream

jolydan

Hello ladies!

I'm a little afraid of stretch marks! I know my skin is not really stretchy and I got lots on my thighs during puberty so I'm trying to avoid getting more with the pregnancy. So here's a little survey on the subject

Have you already started to use cream, if not when are you planning to start?

Do you have a brand that you recommend?

Any other tricks to prevent it?

thanks!

PinkLady2015

I've read that stretch marks are 100% genetic. But I feel like a little moisture can't hurt! I bought the Palmers stretch mark cream... It has cocoa butter and almond butter and a few things too. We'll see. I know your skin can get itchy when it starts stretching and I naturally have dry skin so I'll do anything to help even a bit!

nopegoat

I used a crap ton of cocoa butter and coconut oil with my first and still got a ton of stretch marks once I hit 31wks. Stretchmarks are genetic, so there's really nothing you can do to prevent them.

mrsmommya

Agree with above.  Nothing you can do about them.  You can use a lot of creams and oils if you want...won't hurt anything.  Some say their stomach is itchy so the creams can help that....excessive itchy can cause your stretch marks to be worse.  You won't care about them anyways once that baby is in your arms.

trucksntutus

I had stretch marks during puberty and when I was a bit heavier as well, so I'm expecting to get them. Unfortunately. However, I believe those creams and such are aimed more so at fading them versus preventing them in the first place.

Puddles03

They don't work, don't waste your money. You will either get them or not. If you do just think of them as "earning your stripes" so many women wish they could have children and would wear them with pride.

BostonBaby1

The above PP is correct, stretch marks are 100% genetic. You're more likely to get them if your mother or sister has had them. If you have any now you're more likely to get them. There is literally nothing that you can do to prevent it. Using Shea butter with an oil on top is great for moisturizing. I would do this for my belly, hips, thighs, breasts, etc.… You can't prevent stretch marks though. If you get horrific stretch marks and cannot deal with how they look, there is a laser procedure to diminish the look but you can't do that until after birth. This is why you will never find any conclusive evidence regarding stretch mark creams. There are other factors that determine whether or not you will get terrible stretch marks including the amount of weight that you gain and how rapidly you gain it. Despite all of that, great moisturization is a fantastic habit to get into during pregnancy. It will stop you from itching like crazy.

ach298

You can try Vitamin E oil to help with the itchiness, but it likely won't prevent the marks themselves. My sister managed to not get many but I look like a tiger mauled my belly (this is my 3rd pregnancy). The good news is they fade to a very pale color eventually.

Taymiller

Genetics.

PugsandKisses

Sorry, you will either get them or not.
Not cream, lotion, oil, Shaman or prayer will prevent them if you are destined to have them.

Also, why are you afraid? It is stretch marks. They may itch but not 'hurt'. It does not make you any more or less beautiful, loved, attractive, smart or caring.
Plus they fade.

jolydan

I guess it's a UO then I'm "afraid" to get some because yes I do prefer a smooth skin. Call me superficial or naive but I take good care of my body and plan on doing so during and after pregnancy. I know my body is going to change, I'm not in denial, but I think there's way to minimize the impacts of the pregnancy on the body. 

I knew about the genetic part of the stretch mark but like lots of you said I think good hydratation can't hurt either!

Taymiller

jolydan said:

I guess it's a UO then I'm "afraid" to get some because yes I do prefer a smooth skin. Call me superficial or naive but I take good care of my body and plan on doing so during and after pregnancy. I know my body is going to change, I'm not in denial, but I think there's way to minimize the impacts of the pregnancy on the body. 

I knew about the genetic part of the stretch mark but like lots of you said I think good hydratation can't hurt either!

I guarantee when you see your baby you won't give a F about any stretch marks.

Eta: I don't have stretch marks because I didn't take care of myself, I have them because of genetics.

jolydan

@Taymiller I read my message again and no where I said stretch marks are caused by not taking care. I stated that I want to take care of my body aka working out, stretching, eating as healthy as possible. Those are personal life choice not a judgement.
I'm pretty sure I'm not the only woman on this group afraid of the body changes.

Taymiller

Amd I am saying that no matter how well you take care of yourself if you are genetically prone to stretch marks you are going to get them.

Taymiller

Stretch marks aren't something to fear people!

juliagulia38

I gained a lot of weight with DS because they wanted me too and I was high risk. I was okay until about 35 weeks and then the stretch marks came. with DD I only gained about 10-15 lbs and noticed no new stretch marks. I used Shea cocoa butter but hated the oily feeling on my clothes. It smelled nice though I guess it wouldn't hurt to try and use it.

jolydan

@Taymiller thanks seriously:) I'll take my chill pill and try focusing on more important details! Everything is so new and overwhelming

Taymiller

jolydan said:

@Taymiller thanks seriously:) I'll take my chill pill and try focusing on more important details! Everything is so new and overwhelming

Seriously I promise you won't care if you do get them, it will be the last thing on your mind

trucksntutus

I'm there with ya girl! I'm very likely going to get them due to having them previously. Ugh. Not too thrilled about them being back as they've all faded so they're not noticeable, but it's not the end of the world.

macc2

I'm nervous too!! This is my first, and like you, I'd be pretty upset if I ended up with them . I get that genetics play a part, but I'm not willing to not do anything to possibly help prevent them. I went to whole foods yesterday and bought and a little tub of organic Shea butter as well as an oil called Mother's Special Blend. Hopefully the combo of these two will help! Good luck!

PugsandKisses

cmcnamara1 said:

I'm nervous too!! This is my first, and like you, I'd be pretty upset if I ended up with them . I get that genetics play a part, but I'm not willing to not do anything to possibly help prevent them. I went to whole foods yesterday and bought and a little tub of organic Shea butter as well as an oil called Mother's Special Blend. Hopefully the combo of these two will help! Good luck!

Maybe with the itching, but that is all they will help with.

BostonBaby1

jolydan said:

@Taymiller I read my message again and no where I said stretch marks are caused by not taking care. I stated that I want to take care of my body aka working out, stretching, eating as healthy as possible. Those are personal life choice not a judgement.
I'm pretty sure I'm not the only woman on this group afraid of the body changes.

I don't know if you saw what I wrote but there are laser treatments to reduce/eliminate stretch marks postpartum. You are not the only one concerned, we are just saying that stretch marks are genetic.

noelietrex

@jolydan Seems like being very concerned with stretch marks is an UO, but I'm right there with you. The moment I got my BFP I ran out and bought pure cocoa butter. I heat it with a hairdryer every morning (it comes in solid form) and slather it everywhere. I'm also using vitamin E oil, shea butter, and sometimes regular almond body butter. I also read staying hydrated might marginally help so getting those 4 liters in is the goal. I know stretch marks are genetic and I already have some so I'm expecting more, but it doesn't mean I won't try anything to stop them. What could it hurt and if there's even an off chance it could help, even just a tiny bit, I'm in.

ProfessorEcks

PugsandKisses said:

Sorry, you will either get them or not.
Not cream, lotion, oil, Shaman or prayer will prevent them if you are destined to have them.

Dammit. I just booked a Shaman with a non-refundable deposit.

Taymiller

Save your money, buy normal lotion, it isn't going to decrease your chances and regular lotion works great for the itchiness.

dolewhipper

I'm increasing collagen into my diet to help with the amount found in my skin. Since we can't take retinoids, this along with moisturizers are the next best thing to diminish them. Your hormonal changes are what causes the collagen and elastin fibers in your skin to tear when stretched. 

decoycandy

Oooo, if collagen ingestion may help, I'm excited. I make very strong broth from scratch and it has tons of collagen. Oxtail is especially good for this.

bunkie999

Bringing this back.. Anyone finding any stretch marks yet? I unfortunately have developed them on my boobs! My mom hardly had any so I hope this is as bad as it gets.. But scares me cause I still have 15 weeks to go! 

erin7264

Nope. Not even with boobs that went from a small B to a slightly over-filled D (not quite fitting into the DD yet) and a decent 24-week bump. At least not any that I can see from up here. 

I use body oil pretty much every day (the stuff from VS, the coconut milk one that isn't super smelly) but that's more so I'm not itchy and dry than anything else, I don't think it's actually going to help any stretch marks. 

PugsandKisses

My old ones are now shiney.

Taymiller

PugsandKisses said:

My old ones are now shiney.

My old ones are starting to turn purple, so pretty

HMcDade1

I've got two. But they're basically extensions of ones from puberty. Maybe it's just me, but I could kind of care less if I get more? No one notices them except for me anyway. Plus you get a baby at the end! 

sboston06

I haven't noticed any new ones but my belly is definitely different. It's very tight and veiny. My sister and my mom got a lot of stretch marks so I'm expecting them eventually, but I'm still using Burts Bees belly butter just in case I luck out!

noelietrex

I don't have any yet, and I think my neurotic stretch mark potion-making/ application is fading my old ones! I'm covered in silver ones on my thighs, low back, and boobs but I think my concoction (vitamin E, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and essential oils) is helping to fade them. It's still early yet for new ones to appear though...

slorbets

When do stretch marks usually appear during pregnancy? 

jomama1618

I found one (new) small one the other night. I was amused and had to show DH when I realized it. I know I will get them. I already have them from before and I think every woman in my family has them. @PinkLady2015 is it the message lotion one? I have that one, it has Cocoa butter, Shea, Argan oil, Almond oil, collagen, elastin and some other stuff. DH picked it but I solely use it for itchy/dryness and a feeble attempt of attempting to keep my belly button from ripping (plus DD says it smells like chocolate lol). He's like well maybe it will help them from being so bad if it's super moisturized. Sweet thoughts lol

Nerdchild

I've been using bio oil on my belly and boobs because it is hands down THE ONLY thing that keeps me from wanting to scratch my own skin off. It probably does fuck-all for stretch marks, but it feels so damn good to put on. 

jomama1618

LOL @Nerdchild That is me with this stuff. After constantly digging at my skin all day and having marks DH decided he had enough and we got that stuff. It's the only one I've found that doesn't just soak in so quick it doesn't help and feel just as dry or rub off. I love that my skin still feels soft and not like I'm going to dig my skin off hours later  

stillcozy

I've always had stretch marks and already gotten more I think it depends on the person. 

KatieBird0106

My mom had seven kids and barely has stretch marks but I started getting them at twelve weeks. Not fair lol. I'm using Palmer's lotion but I know there isn't a lot I can do about them so I'm trying not to stress. I think the palmers mainly helps with the itching. I just keep telling myself that the stretch marks will fade 

whataboutscience

My strategy was to be overweight most of my life and then decided to get fit for a healthier pregnancy. I lost 75 pounds before my daughter was conceived. My first pregnancy my skin was never tight. It was already covered in stretch marks, but none were from pregnancy. I think my stomach stopped having a fold across the belly button around week 36. It's bad enough that my not too thin doctor says she thinks I deserve a tummy tuck when I'm done having kids. So, to say the least, I'm not worried about stretch marks this time. It's too late for that.