Stretch Marks

alyxandraaanicole · August 2015

I have some from my first and at this point I'm trying to do damage control so they don't get any worse. Which has been so far so good, although this is only week 17.

If you have them what are you doing to avoid them getting worse this time? Any favorite lotions/oils etc.?

graceinchaos · August 2015

Honestly, I don't know that there is any real miracle cream or formula. I'm fairly certain it's a mainly genetic thing.

That being said, I love Burt's Bee's Mama Bee Belly Balm (or whatever it's called). And coconut or olive oil. I don't know that they really helped last time, as I still had plenty of stretch marks, but it was kind of a nice nightly routine to put it all over my belly each night.

ETA
Premature post. Also, you may want to use the search feature, as I believe there was a lot of really great input given on this topic before.

AdventureMama · August 2015

Yes, it's really genetics that determines whether you'll get them. There isn't a magic formula to avoid them. And some point have none and then they all pop up after baby is born.

cMichelle0423 · August 2015

AdventureMama said:
Yes, it's really genetics that determines whether you'll get them. There isn't a magic formula to avoid them. And some point have none and then they all pop up after baby is born.

This. I got a few more with my second LO, but nothing anyone else would notice. I'm sure it'll be the same with #3.

FunnyGal18 · August 2015

I have the same question. I'm noticing the purple ones on the side of my stomach.

DaisyTortilla · August 2015

I got a lot of them around my navel with DD and DS just added a couple of them around that. I never used those lotions because I have sensitive skin and they make me break out. Plus it's all about genes. Hope you can keep them at bay.

alyxandraaanicole · August 2015

@graceinchaos thank you for your response. I'm still figuring this whole board out, how do you use the search feature from the mobile app??

graceinchaos · August 2015

@alyxandraaanicole the mobile app is a little frustrating to navigate! I'm on an iPhone (not sure if it varies for others), so when you're looking at the main page for February 2016, the search feature is at the bottom of the screen.

yellieabouttown · August 2015

Even though I feel stretch marks are more genetic, I still like to use an oil. My favorite so far is Earth Mama Angel Baby's Natural Belly oil. It smells good and it dries quickly. I tried Honest Company Belly Balm and it smelled horrible. I hope this helps!

Katty422 · August 2015

I use coco butter cream as a precaution. This is my first child I don't have any right now and I am going to be 17 weeks tomorrow.

Kiek · August 2015

Eh, if you're going to get them, there isn't much you can do. Mine are really faded from my first, though. Coconut oil has been my best friend.

Miss Lilac · August 2015

Nothing moisturizes quite like coconut oil.

Lola2o1 · August 2015

I'm not a fan of the Burts Bees Mamma Bee belly butter. I think it smells awful and is over priced. Just my opinion though!

ashcody2 · August 2015

Agree, it's definitely genetics but I still think any type of moisturizing couldn't hurt - I just use regular body lotion from Bath & Body and slather it on my belly, hips, boobs, thighs and butt since I know those are going to be growing the most. The more elastic your skin is, the better. I used cocoa butter every day, twice a day with my first born and still got some on my belly but towards the very end - actually I didn't even know I had them until I looked in the mirror.

Achae · August 2015

On old scars I used vitamin e oil (which I think is what helps in other moisturizers) to soften the area and hopefully lighten it. I wonder if it would work on lightening stretch marks.

Amberino86 · August 2015

I switch between bio-oil and burts bees belly butter. I use 1 a day right now but when I started getting bigger with my last pregnancy I did one in the AM and one in the PM. I'm not a fan of the smell of either, so I sometimes lightly use a lotion I like the smell of to mask the scent. I made it out of my first pregnancy stretch mark free- hoping for the same this time. If it's only determined by genetics I still recommend them as they do well moisturizing and helped make it more comfortable as my tummy would get pretty itchy.

Zepplin1218 · August 2015

Achae said:

On old scars I used vitamin e oil (which I think is what helps in other moisturizers) to soften the area and hopefully lighten it. I wonder if it would work on lightening stretch marks.

vitamin E oil does wonders for scars and is really good for moisturizing - the thick kind is better, the watery stuff is to diluted.

Again, I agree with the PP, its mostly genetics but any kind of moisturizing will help in that it helps your skins elasticity. Also avoid lotions that are scented with alcohol ingredients, this type of scent evaporates quickly from the skin and causes it to dry out over time rather than retain moisture. Those that contain glycerin (a natural by product that is a moisturizer) are good too. I use burts bees and vitamin E oil.

darcylee83 · September 2015

Everyone in my family got MAJOR stretch marks, when I wa pregnant with my 1st I was terrified id have a roadmap on my belly just like them! But I didn't! I took Vitamin E orally and also popped the capsule and rubbed that on my belly, and luckily I got zero stretch marks! Now with pregnancy #2 I am doing the same thing and hoping for the same result! Just be careful you don't gain too much weight too fast, and give the vitamin E a try.. It can't hurt

best wishes

purpletulip · September 2015

It's genetic. I'm on my fourth pregnancy and I only have a tiny purple squiggle on one side. I say this because I haven't used any oils or lotions or anything, and I know women that do and still get stretch marks.
There are all sorts of fun body changes that go along with pregnancy!

Want a personalized experience?

Stretch Marks

Re: Stretch Marks

Choose Another Board

Search Boards