Obesity Discussion Forums

[DogsDontKnowItsNotBacon]

Stretch marks - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mine are in the belly and groin areas, the latter being pretty nasty, long and blatantly purple. D=

I got them in the arms as well because of weight lifting strain, but they're small and I don't mind them.

Basically, my mom told me to put cocoa butter and wikipedia said not even laser surgery cures it... So I guess my only hope is stem cell research?

[SAGirl]

When I was pregnant with my daughter I got pretty bad stretch marks all over my tummy. Since then, I have used Johnsons and Johnsons Vitamin E cream on them and they have faded a little but they will never go away. As far as I know there is no way of getting rid of them. Maybe someone else has better info

[SheaGrl]

Ug, I wish there was some magic cream! OK, let me restate that: I wish there was some magic cream that actually worked! This subject gets brought up periodically because everyone is dealing with it and there isn't really anything to fix it. Some people think vit E or "stretch mark cream" can slightly reduce the discoloration and help a little bit, but there is no cure yet. Like you said, lets hope for science innovation!

The only time vitamin E or special creams really have a fighting chance is when they are applied in advance daily before and durin the skin stretching.....but not after. For instance, if you are pregnant you know your skin is going to start stretching at a rapid rate, so it is wise to apply some everyday. It can actually help.

Anyways, try not to focus on this during your weight loss journey. Although annoying (and much more noticeable to you then other people), in the grand scheme of things, what matters is getting healthy and reaching your ideal weight.

[Fluffymomma]

I used Belly Butter on my belly when I was preggers to keep the skin moist. But I still have some. I don't mind them. There's other things about myself I need to focus on.

I agree w/Shea: Anyways, try not to focus on this during your weight loss journey. Although annoying (and much more noticeable to you then other people), in the grand scheme of things, what matters is getting healthy and reaching your ideal weight.

[PsychoticGreek]

I know that they definitely fade and shrink as you lose weight. they're still there but less noticeable. more motivation to lose!

[Jasmine130]

Over time, they will fade and become much less noticeable. I know they can be pretty bothersome but there's not much to do . One way I look at them, as well as the quite extensive incision lines I have from my multiple plastic/reconstructive surgeries -- is as battle scars. And I don't mind having the battle scars, because every day I maintain is another day I'm winning that battle.

[johnita36]

I sure wish there was a way to get rid of these too but as everyone else has said there isn't. I have found in the summer when I'm spending a lot of time in the pool and get a tan on my belly they seem much less noticeable. It would sure be nice if there was something that would make them disappear.



Johnita

[qt_brat]

I love that this board is so honest...

I have dealt with stretch marks since i was a preteen...

this is something i have wondered about and it makes me feel better that they may be somehting that will fade in a tan, or shrink a bit, though i know this torn layer of scarring will never leave my body...

[whyamifat]

Stretch marks will never go away but they will become less noticeable. Laser can help to make them whiter if they are dark or pinkish. Keep using creams but don't expect miracles. When I was pregnant I had very dark stretch marks but now they are whiter and a lot less noticeable.

[sweetn_low]

Mine are a white pearly color now. I also had deep purple stretch marks down my stomach with both children. It has been seven and a half years since the last. It took about two years for them to fade out to white. I really don't even notice them or stress about it now. Your stretch marks will shrink as you do and become less noticeable.