Stretch marks (products, prevention, etc)

Snaps816 · February 2016

Ok, 2nd time (or more) moms. I need your opinions. Is it really worth my money and time to apply a cream or other product to my belly to try to prevent/reduce stretch marks? I bought the Honest Company Belly Balm and I've been using it, but wondering if there's any point. I know stretch marks are to be expected, but I'd be happy if I could improve my skin's elasticity and cut down on the marks without breaking the bank. What do you think? Are there products you recommend, or don't? Or is it all just a waste of time?

Whitmore1027 · February 2016

Sorry...no answer for you. I've always read that nothing "really" helps because everyone's body is different. Saying that though...I still bought Palmers cocoa butter. It wasn't expensive and I figured I could try it because I like lotion (and my belly itches and that helps it!) If it helps with stretch marks too, then yay!

Pepper6 · February 2016

Nope. Stretch marks are genetic and no cream, lotion, oil, etc will prevent them if your are genetically predisposed to them. The only benefit to those is to relieve the itch while you're skin stretches. You can also try to keep very hydrated, it might minimize them, but will not prevent them.

Snaps816 · February 2016

Pepper6 said:

Nope. Stretch marks are genetic and no cream, lotion, oil, etc will prevent them if your are genetically predisposed to them. The only benefit to those is to relieve the itch while you're skin stretches. You can also try to keep very hydrated, it might minimize them, but will not prevent them.

Dang.

bearsandbeets7 · February 2016

Yeah my genes suck really bad. My stomach is literally covered in them and unfortunately I didn't lose the weight from the last baby so they are already starting to get red again. I used cocoa butter the whole time and still got them like crazy!

DressageDarling · February 2016

I've already started to get stretch marks too. I am using a belly cream just because my skin is so itchy in the winter. I know there is no stopping them.

bananers · February 2016

Your best bet is to stay hydrated, because that improves your skin's elasticity. Drink lots of water and lotion up after you shower. Don't bother with the special creams and lotions marketed to pregnancy; any good hydrating lotion will do. But yeah, a lot of it is hereditary.

greendogs1993 · February 2016

I lathered coconut oil on my belly every evening and morning. I only put it on the rest of my body a few days a week. I got zero stretch marks on my belly, but got a few on my breasts and a lot on my butt and back of legs ha ha. My family gets horrible stretch marks everywhere so I think coconut oil is a little magical :-) The best part is that you can get a huge tub of it for a few bucks. Probably one of the cheapest moisturizers and it's all natural. This pregnancy I will be using coconut oil again and more generously so that I don't add too many more stretch marks.

Bookhousegirl · February 2016

I feel like it's mostly hereditary but with that said, I did use a cream last time and am starting to use it this time as well. I also got the Honest Co belly balm but I HATE the smell! Does it bother you at all, I can't figure out if it's my pregnancy nose or if it really does stink...

texasmama2014 · February 2016

Not going to do anything about stretch marks, but keeps it from itching. Coconut oil is lovely, or whatever lotion seems to hydrate you best.

mrsmommya · February 2016

Of course agree with everyone. The best thing that you can control is try not to gain an insane amount of weight if you are already thin. I am relatively thin and gained 60lbs with my DD. Although I think I would have had stretch marks regardless, my doc did say the rapid growing skin doesn't help. I put bio-oil on mine every night mostly because it can't hurt and because it cuts down on the itchiness almost 100%!

Snaps816 · February 2016

Bookhousegirl said:

I feel like it's mostly hereditary but with that said, I did use a cream last time and am starting to use it this time as well. I also got the Honest Co belly balm but I HATE the smell! Does it bother you at all, I can't figure out if it's my pregnancy nose or if it really does stink...

I can't say I love the smell, but it doesn't really bother me, either. I'm just bummed to find out none of this stuff is going to work.

haboobjob · February 2016

I agree with everyone else. I used a body butter and coconut oil during my last pregnancy and didn't get any but I don't know how much of that was the creams/oils and what was hereditary. The creams totally cut down on the itchiness! Itchy belly is the worst!

Duffgurl · February 2016

I'm a big fan of Coconut oil.

wlux · February 2016

I got a few on my hips after I gave birth.

tisunge602 · February 2016

I like Burt's Bees Mama Bee belly butter (I think that's what it's called). Like others said, it's genetic, but it smells nice and keeps belly from getting itchy. I used it for my first and ordered a fresh tub for this time around (you can get it on Amazon).

yari1102 · February 2016

I use bio-oil for all my pregnancy it helped the itchiness and I didn't get any stretch marks I put 2times a day or when I'm itchy ..lots my friends use this to and it helps

beenabee · February 2016

Stretch marks are genetic however improving your skins elasticity by staying hydrated and applying oils (I like coconut and hemp) could definitely prevent them. I know of numerous people who used oils on their body religiously during pregnancy and not one stretch mark, and on top of that their skin looked glowy and luminous!

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