Stretch Marks

Crimson21
Crimson21 Posts: 148 Member
edited November 11 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey everyone, so I have a question about stretch marks... I have stretch marks all around my belly, and I know they don't go away, but they fade a little bit from that red new stretch mark to a white one. But when you lose weight, do they fade even more, or do they still stay that crappy shade of white that screams look at me. It would be a shame if I could never wear a bikini because of them :(
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Replies

  • BrittanyH8588
    BrittanyH8588 Posts: 77 Member
    This is a really good question me and my friends were just discussing this today. From what I have read about stretch marks they say stretch marks never really disappear but the best thing to make them less noticeable is using self tanner. I would like to see what others say though... I also have horrible stretch marks on my stomach and my hips I used the Mederma stretch mark therapy and didn't really see a difference so I went and bought Vitamin E lotion and the gel capsules of vitamin E to rub on them so I will see if that helps reduce the appearance:)
  • reneeramirez4christ
    reneeramirez4christ Posts: 112 Member
    The only thing that really "removes" stretch marks is laser and that's super expensive and painful and doesn't completely remove them. I will tell you, I bought this gel from Avon, and i've been using it regularly and as I'm losing belly fat I'm noticing the stretchmarks are getting lighter, and I'm dark skin so they are really noticeable, but are definitely fading. I don't know if it's the gel I bought, but I'm seeing them get lighter. :)
  • toniachoi
    toniachoi Posts: 10
    I JUST asked my dermatologists this last week when I went in for my annual check-up. She said that when stretch marks are still fairly new (still red), there is more that can be done to get rid of them. However, if they are older (white), there's really nothing you can do to completely get rid of them. You can use gels and creams and even laser treatments, but at the end of the day, they will still be there.
  • Artemis726
    Artemis726 Posts: 587 Member
    I have them just about everywhere. :( I was not blessed with super-elastic skin, so I'm stuck with them. I have also read that using self-tanner helps hide them. The good news is that as I tone up- I don't zero in on them as much.
  • mandamommy3
    mandamommy3 Posts: 297 Member
    I've had 3 kids so I look at them as battle scars, but they are unsightly at times. I have noticed them fading more so lately, since it seems most of the 13lbs I've lost has come from my midsection. But I have accepted them as just being there and will most likely never where a bikini at the beach, lol.
  • wdwghettogirl
    wdwghettogirl Posts: 559 Member
    23r8pbs.jpg
  • Artemis726
    Artemis726 Posts: 587 Member
    23r8pbs.jpg

    Love this! Rawr!!
  • r1ghtpath
    r1ghtpath Posts: 701 Member
    i like that pic/ statement too. i have 5 kids. my first did the so called "damage" to my skin. after that i never had another stretch mark form. i have a lot of them and i am hopeful that as my belly disappears i don't notice them quite as much.

    i am definitely the "I am woman, hear me roar!" recently, people have taken to calling me " an animal," due to my striving to work hard to change my body. so, i welcome the statement, that i am a tiger that has earned her stripes! :-)
  • bigbeardiver
    bigbeardiver Posts: 154 Member
    There are some old wives tales about using Vitamin E to rub on them to make them go away. I say flaunt them because you earned them like the picture suggests, OR Tattoo over them!
  • shovav91
    shovav91 Posts: 2,335 Member
    I always call them tiger stripes! I totally thought I came up with that :P Oh well. Own them, your body is beautiful. You are beautiful. They make you who you are! I have scars galore, wouldn't trade them for anything! I wouldn't be me without them.
  • JessicaHoskins
    JessicaHoskins Posts: 116
    I've heard that using Cocoa Butter makes stretch marks disappear.
  • Aerohead21
    Aerohead21 Posts: 333 Member
    The first time I lost 120 lbs that was one of the most embarrassing things for me to deal with. Not only do the stretch marks not go away, they form creases in the excess skin. I'll be honest, it looks awful and I was completely ashamed. Idk of any treatment that actually works to get rid of or reduce the severity of stretch marks, but doing this a second time, at least I have the knowledge before hand that my body won't be pretty underneath the clothes.
  • rejs1170
    rejs1170 Posts: 23 Member
    Be a Tiger, and proud of your body. My wife has them and every time I notice them it reminds me of what she went through to have our four kids, and the love I have for her from that.
  • lee3978
    lee3978 Posts: 274
    I have them just about everywhere. :( I was not blessed with super-elastic skin, so I'm stuck with them. I have also read that using self-tanner helps hide them. The good news is that as I tone up- I don't zero in on them as much.

    SElf tanner that's brilliant!!! I was worried about when I go on vacation and I tan. The darker I get the stretch marks stay the same and they end up looking lighter in contrast to my tan!!!! URgh

    I have had these wrinkly stinkers for years and they won't go away!!!!
  • lee3978
    lee3978 Posts: 274
    Be a Tiger, and proud of your body. My wife has them and every time I notice them it reminds me of what she went through to have our four kids, and the love I have for her from that.

    Idon't want to be a tiger. I don't have any kids.
  • lee3978
    lee3978 Posts: 274
    There are some old wives tales about using Vitamin E to rub on them to make them go away. I say flaunt them because you earned them like the picture suggests, OR Tattoo over them!

    Funny you should suggest that. That's how I started my tattoo journey. LOL. OMG Ihad no clue the pain is twice as worse as anywhere else because the skin is sooooo thin. IT BURNSSSSS ;(
  • beckylawrence70
    beckylawrence70 Posts: 752 Member
    The only thing you can do to "get rid" of stretch marks on your belly is to have a tummy tuck. Sorry to disappoint you but the rest are there for life, I have em myself still and my kids are 23 and 21. Creams, lotions, lasers, all a waste of money.......
  • cutezombiedoll
    cutezombiedoll Posts: 22
    Everyone in my family gets bad stretch marks. It's just the way our skin is (too many elastic fibers or something). All I can say is that they fade. Slowly, but they do.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,021 Member
    Hey everyone, so I have a question about stretch marks... I have stretch marks all around my belly, and I know they don't go away, but they fade a little bit from that red new stretch mark to a white one. But when you lose weight, do they fade even more, or do they still stay that crappy shade of white that screams look at me. It would be a shame if I could never wear a bikini because of them :(
    Stretch marks are scars. They NEVER go away, but you can reduce the visual appearance of them temporarily with some creams.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
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    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • alharbour
    alharbour Posts: 116 Member
    I have them, but mine are all below my belly button and I guess they don't bother me that much. I do not have any desire to wear a bikini and my husband is the only person who sees them, and he thinks I am beautiful, stretch marks and all, because they are there because of his beautiful little girls.
  • elsinora
    elsinora Posts: 398 Member
    When I was obese, I had big angry looking purple ones all the way round my lower belly and a few on my arms. Over the years they faded and yes - although they never go away, they honestly become barely noticeable and I wear a bikini and when I'm tanned, they still aren't that noticeable. They are scars yes, but they can be reduced although it did take a while to get to that stage.

    And that picture above - I'd be happy with that!!!! :)

    Honestly, I believe that they are only really noticeable to me and just be proud and confident to get to where you've got. Ex-stretch marks! :)
  • elsinora
    elsinora Posts: 398 Member
    I have them, but mine are all below my belly button and I guess they don't bother me that much. I do not have any desire to wear a bikini and my husband is the only person who sees them, and he thinks I am beautiful, stretch marks and all, because they are there because of his beautiful little girls.

    ^^this! :')
  • lee3978
    lee3978 Posts: 274
    The scars are much different on darker pigmentation. So it really depends on your skin type (elasticity sp?), pigmentation and how you scar. Scars take forever to go away for me.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    I haven't had a baby in 4 years, and mine are still red. Honestly, though, it's not the colour of them that bothers me, it's the fact that I have literally hundreds, there is no skin on my abdomen that isn't stretch mark, so now I have lost weight, it is just unattached skin, which looks old and wrinkly.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    I always call them tiger stripes! I totally thought I came up with that :P Oh well. Own them, your body is beautiful. You are beautiful. They make you who you are! I have scars galore, wouldn't trade them for anything! I wouldn't be me without them.

    I call mine that, but because it looks like I have been clawed by a tiger.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    I've heard that using Cocoa Butter makes stretch marks disappear.

    Whoever told you that hasn't ever had real stretch marks.
  • snookybear
    snookybear Posts: 18
    They do fade some of mine are over 30 years old!
    They are just a bit silvery.
    When I am toned (and little tanned) they are barely there.
    I think fake tan can exaggerate newer ones, but not so bad on an old chook like me
    Bio oil is pretty good not sure if you can get this in the US.
    I am in Australia,
    I love the "Tiger Stripes" thing,
  • donnabirch123
    donnabirch123 Posts: 48 Member
    you really cant tattoo over them, the skin of a stretch mark makes the ink run, looks horrible,

    i have had stretch marks my hole life, noticed them when i was 12 years old, behind my knees, well bullies did!!! thats how crappy my skin is, i mean how much does a normal weight kids skin get them!!! bullied at school over it, had boyfriends tell me 'you need to sort your stretch marks out they look disgusting' THANKS FOR THE COMPLEX

    BUT

    i have them all over, old ones have faded to white, and they are ok, im used to them, at school i could just be sitting down, and feel them ripping, look at my self and see a new red one.

    after having a kid my *kitten*, hips, back, tummy are covered, i dont have a square inch with out then,

    BUT

    they are a part of me, and i have learned to love my self, they are going to be with me for life, and god dam, if i want to be in a bikini on holiday, i will!!!

    i think the most inportant thing to think is, your not the only one whos got them!! dare to bare, just be happy with your self and love the body your in, its the only one you've got
  • elsinora
    elsinora Posts: 398 Member
    The scars are much different on darker pigmentation. So it really depends on your skin type (elasticity sp?), pigmentation and how you scar. Scars take forever to go away for me.

    Totally true. I am pale but then if I go in the sun, I never burn I just go dark brown - but that's if i'm actually abroad and not in rainy England! However, now, even though I am pale at the moment, I can barely see them but yes - complexion totally counts and elasticity ....
  • traciwe
    traciwe Posts: 78
    Be a Tiger, and proud of your body. My wife has them and every time I notice them it reminds me of what she went through to have our four kids, and the love I have for her from that.

    Idon't want to be a tiger. I don't have any kids.



    HAHA...this is what i always say...i am covered in stretch marks from gaining a bunch of weight while on steroids and have no kids to show for them
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