Stretch marks and feeling bad about it.

jsimmo2010 · March 2016

There's been other posts about stretch marks, but I think I just need a pick-me-up. I'm recently noticing my first stretch marks on my belly and they are not pretty.

I bought some cream on Amazon with great reviews, hasn't come in yet. Any words of encouragement? I know many of us are going threw the same thing. Do any STM or TTM, etc. have stories of fading stretch marks? I know it's a natural thing, just not feeling very sexy lately.

Soverthis · March 2016

Hang in there. Stretch marks suck! I must be genetically predisposed bc I have had them on my stomach, boobs, thighs and hips since I was 15. They do lighten over time. At least mine did. I have read the creams don't work that if you get them or not is about genetics. Who knows tho! I lotion my belly 2x a day with aveeno. You are not alone. ☺

BabyboyS2016 · March 2016

I read on a "crunchy" site that rubbing raw potatoes on them will help them fade.

jsimmo2010 · March 2016

@Soverthis Thanks for the support.

goldie987 · March 2016

No amount of cream or lotion will stop them because they don't actually penetrate to the layer of skin that the marks occur in, you either are genetically going to get them or you aren't. This raw potatoes thing though....I've heard good things

MamaNicoleof3 · March 2016

I third the raw potatoes. You can either rub them directly onto the stretch marks, or boil them for a couple hours to make a paste and then apply that.

crdo · March 2016

MamaNicoleof3 said:

I third the raw potatoes. You can either rub them directly onto the stretch marks, or boil them for a couple hours to make a paste and then apply that.

Should you let the paste cool all the way, or apply it warm?

GinnyJ2012 · March 2016

Mine faded to sliver after about a year. I have very pale skin so they're not noticeable to most people. They're also on my hips and under my breasts so if someone is looking close enough to see them, it's H or I'm showing them to someone who has asked (my hips) like my SIL. It's all genetics though, you will or won't get them. Don't waste money on creams.

MamaNicoleof3 · March 2016

I think I read that the warmer, the better, but clearly, test a small area first to see if you have a reaction, and then go ahead and apply everywhere. And please- don't burn yourself. Use common sense.

crdo · March 2016

Also, I wonder if there have been any studies on which specific potato varieties are most effective? Is there a particular ratio of say, russet:Idaho, that yields the best result for this application? Lastly, perhaps one day there will be a potato extract cream once the therapeutic substance(s) in the humble potato is/are isolated, and we won't have to go through the trouble of chopping up and/or boiling potatoes for paste.

berky84 · March 2016

I feel ya OP. Stretch marks blow and decrease feelings of sexiness. They will fade - but they still blow. Sorry

CourtJack · March 2016

I don't have any raw potatoes on hand. Do you guys think I could use potato chips?

ahernandez16 · March 2016

CourtJack said:

I don't have any raw potatoes on hand. Do you guys think I could use potato chips?

Just add some water and blend it up until it forms a thin paste. Should work fine. You might develop some acne though from the oil. Maybe try the "baked" version of your chips.

Boonhilde · March 2016

STM here. They fade! They fade to the point of being darn near invisible. I was horrified, HORRIFIED by mine. They were on the insides of my knees for crying out loud! But they faded and you can't see them AT ALL! (Unless you came at me with a microscope or something. Don't be weird!) So don't worry. They're scary, but they totally fade.

AshleyBKeen · March 2016

Wait, you're *just now* getting your first stretch marks?? O.O jelly.

RMLandy · March 2016

They fade! I got them on my boobs when my milk came in with my first and by the next summer, they were not noticeable at all. I know it sucks but take heart! They won't be bright red/purple forever. I agree no creams prevent them but I used mederma stretch mark cream after and feel it did help them fade more quickly.

WinniethePoohsPants · March 2016

I've heard potato paste helps with hemorrhoids too!!!

snowhite12 · March 2016

I got them on my butt with my first due to weight gain, and only my left boob due to breastfeeding. No joke they faded within a matter of months. I used Palmers cocoa butter with my first.
I've been using targets generic lotion with this pregnancy and I'm almost 31 weeks and 25 pounds weight gain, no stretch marks. My old ones haven't even come back.
My mom was one big stretch mark everytime she got pregnant.

Lyette1206 · March 2016

I was so proud with my first Pregnancy because I didn't have any stretch marks at all - until the minute after I gave birth and my belly collapsed and they all showed up. They faded over time. This time, I'm not even looking.

splsmama2016 · March 2016

crdo said:

Also, I wonder if there have been any studies on which specific potato varieties are most effective? Is there a particular ratio of say, russet:Idaho, that yields the best result for this application? Lastly, perhaps one day there will be a potato extract cream once the therapeutic substance(s) in the humble potato is/are isolated, and we won't have to go through the trouble of chopping up and/or boiling potatoes for paste.

Yukon golds and purple peruvians. I read its a 50/50 blend of the two.

lm45678 · March 2016

Whenever I get upset about the fact that it looks like a lion ran its claws down my stomach I remember that I am growing a human which is pretty fucking amazing.The marks are worth it.

It also helps to remember that DH wouldn't risk losing 50% of everything just to find a woman without them

jsimmo2010 · March 2016

@Boonhilde omg! That makes me feel SO much better. I have them on the inside of my knees too! I thought I was the only one because that's the oddest place to have them. Thanks for the confidence boost!

alexhunt · March 2016

I didn't get any until 36 weeks with my first but they faded so much after she was born you can still barely see then at 31 weeks this time. I was very self conscious about them last time but they do fade. My daughter is only 18 months and I haven't been able to see them for a long time.

jsimmo2010 · March 2016

Thanks ladies!!! I do feel better.

catherinekate · March 2016

Omg, these potato jokes are killing me.

But seriously, I relate. I'm genetically predisposed so I'm not too surprised, but very worried about how bad they will get. I'm only 27 weeks and I have at least a dozen of them so far and they are all across my abdomen and bright red. I have other stretch marks that never really faded, unfortunately, so I think these might stick around for the long haul.

@laurenm2123 has got the right idea.

HeartLikeMine3 · March 2016

My first pregnancy I avoided getting them on my belly but when my milk came in my boobs got covered in them. I'm guessing it's because that happened overnight. You can barely see them now.

Sydvicious08 · March 2016

Coconut oil is supposed to help them fade

princessandthegator · March 2016

Disclaimer: I am not a Dr, nor do I work in the medical field. There is no science to what I am going to say next, just personal experience...

I started getting stretch marks in middle school (oddly early growth spurt at 9, and I think my skin was in no way prepped for that), so I've used cocoa butter my entire life. The Queen Helene kind, not Palmers. For whatever reason, Palmers gives me a weird rash. With this pregnancy I've been using Bio Oil twice a day since 14 weeks and after the bio oil dries, cocoa butter on top. I don't have any yet, and by all "genetic" ideas I should have some. That's not to say they aren't coming, I'm a FTM and I'm sure I'll start seeing some soon but I'm a firm believer in preventative care. I agree with the other ladies though, they're going to fade so try (I know it's hard) not to stress it. I know plenty of Moms whose stretch marks are not visible at all!

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