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There is hope for us with stretch marks!!!!! (Anonymous)

July 22, 2009

October 1, 2000, I delivered a healthy baby boy. However, when I brought my baby home, got the shower water running and started taking off my clothes I was not happy with what I saw. I was happy to see how my breast size had increased (I was a 34A before I had my baby and now a 34D). Besides the fact that I stretch marks on my belly, I had them on my upper thighs, hips, all over my but, all over my calves,(I had stretch marks on my calves before I had my baby but not as much to where I could not where shorts or a dress. Maybe 3 small ones on each calve.) and the back of my arms. My body became a road map of strech marks. I was so depressed. I cried when I got in the shower and when I got out. You see, before I had a baby I was alway the kind of girl to cover up my body. I always had a beautiful shape but never felt the need to show it off. Part of the reason why I stayed cover up was because I never felt feminine because my breast were small and I got teased for that for years. People would tell me how beautiful I am and how i should where a dress or skirt, but I never felt women enough to do that. But after having my baby and seeing how my breast blossomed I was going to lose weight and show off my figure. That dream stayed a dream. My body looked horrible.. I was 19, 5′3 177 bls after having a baby. Before I had the baby i was 130 ibs. I realized how much my body was beautiful before and I should have taken advantage of my youth. Fast foward to 2009. I have worn a dress 3 times in my life. One for my 6th grade graduation, a wedding in 2006 and I was ashamed and depressed because people stared at the stretch marks on my calves and on June 13, 2009 for my college graduation. That graduation was the best day of my life. Besides the fact that I graduated with my bachelors degree I wore a dress above my knees!!!!! I was determined to do so. I read about makeup and covering up marks. I found out about how airbrush makeup could cover up scars and tatttos. I thought maybe it could cover up stretch marks. I checked out airbrush make up artist and they could not cover it up. I had one last airbrush artist to see. I ran out of hope but decided to see her anyway. When I met her, she was warm and friendly. I told her my story and how it is important that I where a dress above my knees and cover up the stretch marks on my calves. She said had could do it(she never had a client with stretch marks before). When she got that airbrush and started spraying my calves with the make up and finished, I looked in the mirror and wanted to cry. My stretch marks was gone!!!! I said “Yes, I could finally wear a dress, shorts and belly tops.” Thanks to Lilly for the dramatic change and impact she has had in my life. Ladies there is hope out there!!!!



Discuss: 30 Comments

30 Responses to “There is hope for us with stretch marks!!!!! (Anonymous)”

  1. TracyKM Says:
    July 22nd, 2009 at 9:57 am

    I’ve always had stretch marks on my calves/back of knees. Never thought I couldn’t wear dresses before. I’ve never noticed people staring at me–I wouldn’t stare at another woman’s legs either, LOL.
    That’s great you’ve found a way to feel better and have a new outlook. Now I”m wondering if I should have been concerned about my own legs, LOL!

  2. Bonnie (SOAM) Says:
    July 22nd, 2009 at 10:06 am

    No way, Tracy! I have the same stretchmarks on my legs, but I won’t wear pants in this weather! LOL I don’t hide mine. ;)

  3. Stacie Hulm Says:
    July 22nd, 2009 at 10:54 am

    Hey there! Maybe it’s because you’re still really young (to me who’s 34!), but hopefully as time goes by you’ll be able to take the focus off things like stretchmarks.

    You only think people are staring at them … I really don’t think people put that much energy into being critical of others. And if they do - they are the ones with the problem … they need to see a shrink to explore their own insecurities.

    Don’t be so hard on yourself. 75-80% of women have stretchmarks. It’s more normal to have stretchmarks then not to have them.

    Don’t waste too much time, money and energy on thinking about ways to cover them up. Life’s too short. I have them in all the same places you do. I used to stress about them like you. Until one day I just let it go. I think the ability to do this comes with age and the knowledge that NO ONE is physically perfect (whatever that means).

    The energy I spent worrying about them was energy I could have spent doing something productive and good in the world. Don’t make the same mistake as me! You’re your own worst critic … change that and become your own greatest fan!

  4. Louise Says:
    July 22nd, 2009 at 11:15 am

    I’m like Tracy. I’ve always had stretch marks on my legs and thighs. Pregnancy made it worse, but I never thought to cover them up. I wear shorts, bikinis and dresses all the time.

    But it’s good you found a way to make yourself happy.

  5. Healthnut mama Says:
    July 22nd, 2009 at 12:13 pm

    When I had my son, I thought I was the only person with stretchmarks on the back of my legs, All the way down to my ankles! I still have yet to see someone with stretchmarks on their legs in person. You look beautiful and people really dont care about stretchmarks after all! And if they do theyre petty. I heard a quote recently that said: “those who matter dont mind, and those who mind don’t matter”. You are beautiful!

  6. Ninja Mom Says:
    July 22nd, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    contrary to popular belief, some of us actually like our bodies, stretchmarks and all.

  7. Mina Says:
    July 22nd, 2009 at 8:10 pm

    Your legs look great without the airbrushing!
    I don’t know you and have no reason to lie to you my dear…if I were standing in line behind you at the grocery store and saw you bare-legged, I would NEVER notice those marks on your calves…I really wouldn’t!

    I could see doing the airbrushing or a body makeup sort of product for a special occasion…but on a hot day…wear shorts proudly mama - there’s nothing wrong with your legs!

  8. 13 Weeks Pregnant Says:
    July 23rd, 2009 at 12:13 am

    Your legs look fine, don’t worry about the things others might think, its your life you alone are captain of the ship. I have stretch marks and I don’t care it comes with having babies and its absolutely normal. Love yourself and be proud of having created a new life. You’re a mum and mums rock and no stretch mark is gonna change that!

  9. cmom Says:
    July 23rd, 2009 at 2:13 pm

    Embrace them! There is far too much energy wasted on what (we think) others think about us, and I guarantee you that no one was staring at your calves! You wouldn’t even know it if they were, and if they would then that’s their problem anyway. You must discover your own self-worth within, not based on anyone else’s opinion.

  10. Shannon Says:
    July 23rd, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    Thanks for sharing your story, and for giving hope to women who share your same concerns. Of course, in a perfect world, we wouldn’t care about what our bodies look like, but we do have feelings, we are human, and I congratulate you for persevering and finding something that makes you feel more beautiful! You go Mama!

  11. Tinia Says:
    July 24th, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    That is great to know something will work that is inexpensive and non-invasive!

  12. Sarah Says:
    July 24th, 2009 at 7:40 pm

    I have some stretch marks on the inside of my right leg. I don’t cover them up, either. But that airbrush idea is really great! I could use it b/c my legs are extremely pale no matter how often I’m in the sun with shorts. LOL.

  13. frances Says:
    August 5th, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    I wonder if self-tanner would do something similar…

  14. katherine Says:
    August 8th, 2009 at 12:05 am

    Omggggggggggggggg
    Big difference ihave the same problem please help meeeeeee ! I have a sweet 16 and iwant to wear a short dress..but these stretch marks..your story is crazy but please write to me. I’m 16

  15. Jessica Says:
    August 29th, 2009 at 9:41 am

    Where do I get it for myself???

  16. Amanda Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 12:44 am

    I’m so happy for you hun! I tried covering mine up with foundation makeup, but it looked terrible, lol. I will look into this airbrushing. THANKS!!! And thank you for sharing!!! :)

  17. Myoshia Says:
    October 7th, 2009 at 2:45 am

    For the wonderful ladies on this site who have made me feel beautiful about myself, I want to tell you think you. Although I was able to cover up the stretch marks on my graduation, the stretch marks will always be there. I am learning to accept myself. I focus on living righteous, increasing my love and faith in the lord, being happy, confident, assertive, eating healthy, exercising and trying to the best parent to my son. Developing as a better person I realize is better than being depressed over the stretch marks I have all over my body. However you want to temp cover the stretch marks for an event go to bridalgal.com. She is based in new York.

  18. harriet Says:
    November 12th, 2009 at 11:05 am

    i have stretch marks on my thighs and i am only 13 and i have to say things to get out of swimming and everything like that. what does everyone think i should do about it?? please help me out i have tried bio-oil but a 13 year old girl shouldn’t have to worry about stuff like this and for all u how have teenagers girls out there dont give up on them and never stop loving them.. so guys please help me WHAT SHOULD I DO ??/
    x

  19. Bonnie (SOAM) Says:
    November 12th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    Actually, sweetie, TONS of girls get stretchmarks on their legs during puberty. Myself included. When I was 12, I was 5 feet 2 inches tall. At the end of junior high, 2 1/2 years later, I was 5 feet 8 inches tall. That’s a LOT of growing and my skin could not keep up with me. I promise you that I remember how much it hurt me to have them on my legs. I felt ashamed and I thought it was because I was fat (it wasn’t - it was because I am tall - and in fact, I was not fat at all). I never wore shorts. I thought I was the only girl who dealt with this.

    As a grown woman, I can promise you that I know better now. I see the way the lines on my legs grew and they are horizontal to the earth - the ones on my belly grew vertically because my pregnant belly grew OUT - that means the ones on my legs are horizontal from growing TALL, not wide. Now that our stretch marks are not bright red anymore (they have faded to an almost invisible silver with time), and now that we have the wisdom of adulthood in us, we women are not so afraid to talk about these things and I’ve discovered that at least HALF of the women I know have these stretch marks on their legs. I promise you that it’s not painful for us at all anymore - we talk freely of them and it’s so common and we are so comfortable with it as a fact of life it is no bigger an issue than that of our first period. We talk of them in the very same way.

    So, I don’t know if there is a way to make them go away - I believe there is not - and if it makes you feel GOOD about yourself to use lotions or something go ahead, it certainly won’t be bad for your skin. But think of it, instead, as a way to honor the emerging woman in you, rather than a way to hide this growth. You are NOT alone, I promise you. This is SO common. (((hugs)))

  20. Lilly Says:
    January 10th, 2010 at 10:44 pm

    It was such a pleasure reading your story. You are so inspirational. I am so happy to be able to help you airbrush the stretch marks away. After you i have had many inquiries and many others have come to cover up stretch marks, tattoos, scars and even cellulite. Yes, it can be done, covered, and waterproof to the point that it does not rub off.

    Take a look at other similar cases on my website
    http://www.bridalgal.com.

    Warmest regards, Lilly
    http://www.bridalgal.com
    bridalgal@aol.com

  21. tia Says:
    January 24th, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    Hi there, thank you so much for sharing your story it was really inspirational. I am 21 years of age and have had stretch marks since i was 13. I have it on my sides, they are quite hideous but ive grown to accept them. However, I also have stretch marks on my calves and I have tried nearly everything to hide them I even contemplated getting a tattoo over them!!(im over that stage now!! lol)
    I have worn a dress only once in my life and this is getting me down. I like my body, but its just these stretch marks on my calves. They look the same like you and I have the same complexion as you. Thank you for enlightening me about airbrushing.
    (i’ve tried foundation before but that did’t work). Only problem is that I live in London and I don’t know any good airbrushing places I could go to.

    Lilly do you have any contacts in England or know from word of mouth where I could go?!! Im really desperate!! Im going to graduate this year and I am also travelling abroad. I dnt want to get rid of them I just want to hide them from time to time

    p.s. are the stretch marks visible in the sunlight? i appreciate any comments!! Thank you

  22. Lilly Rivera Says:
    January 29th, 2010 at 12:16 pm

    Hi. Unfortunately i do not have any contacts as It is a complex technique and it takes a lot of effort and practice to get it right.

    You can always see me at my studio in NYC. I would love to meet you.

    Kindest regards,
    Lilly Rivera
    bridalgal@aol.com
    917-330-1913

  23. Ash Says:
    February 9th, 2010 at 5:07 pm

    I have the exact same problem. I got stretch marks on the back of my calves and tummy since I was about 13 and now I’m 16. They’re white now but still very visible. They look light brown sometimes. I’m not so sure if they will keep fading or not. Please reply to me. I really need help. This is a big deal to me. I think about comiting suicide nearly everyday. I just want to know if my old stretch marks will keep fading. Please reply

  24. B Says:
    February 28th, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    HI Tia

    I am the same as you , desperate and in London. I have tried everyhting and am experiencing wired sensations in my skin before stretch marks appear. My skin is tight and irritating for a few days, the a white stretch mark appears, this had been carrying on for 6 months now, and they are travelling down my legs. I am 23, not pregnant, not growing tall or gaining weight, have you heard of this before? Is there anything else that could be causing this?

    Lilly do you ever plan to travel to London? And how long does the makeup last, could you wear it in a swimming pool?

    Hope to hear from you soon.

  25. myoshia Says:
    March 16th, 2010 at 6:55 am

    The airbrush make up lasted for 5 days. It is waterproof. You should type airbrush makeup artist in london on google. They should be able to cover it up. good luck Tia.

  26. Sarah Says:
    March 31st, 2010 at 10:47 pm

    Ok, im like 14, and i was always REALLY skinny, eating right,doing cheerleading, very active!…i was 90pounds and 5′5, well, in the last 3 years, i stopped cheerleading because i severly dammaged my ankle after a tumbling accident. So i got REALLY lazy without cheering and go bored without going to practices, so i stuffed my face with debbie cakes,fries,cheesburgers and other fatty foods. I don’t excercise or anything. No excercise + fatty foods ALL day = 160 pounds! i have a spring dance coming up, and my friends are all still very skinny, when we went to try on dresses i found one i was in love with! i hadn’t relized my actual size, but i know i gained a couple pounds, so i went for a 4…..it ripped and i was embarassed almost to tears! then i found a size 13, and it fit fine STILL a tiny bit tight, but it zipped up,thats good enough for me! well, its strapless and my stretch marks on my arms show, will base help cover it up? somebody please awnser my question? My friend Rachel has “smoking hot swimmers body&breast” and when she saw those stretch marks she couldnt help it but she said “oh my god, what is that?!?! it looks painful,what happened????” WHAT WAS I SUPPOSE TO TELL HER? i just said “i dont wanna talk about it” and she “alright then” my point is, i need a way to clear up them stretch marks on my arms!! HELP ME!!!!! please i don’t want to get made fun of!

  27. Bonnie (SOAM) Says:
    April 1st, 2010 at 8:19 am

    Sarah, honey, PLEASE trust me in that you are really quite normal. Weight gain or not, teenage girls GET stretchmarks. My best advice to you is to show your friends confidence - even if it’s fake confidence - if they feel you are OK with it, they WON’T make fun of you.

    Aside from that, I don’t have any experience in covering them, I’m sorry I can’t help you with that part.

    You are a strong young woman. (((hugs))

  28. Meg Says:
    April 28th, 2010 at 12:20 pm

    I have stretch marks on the back of my legs and they are worse than your’s! They are wide and deep and purple. I’ve had them for almost 6 years and they have not improved whatsoever. I’m in very good shape and would love to wear short dresses and shorts but I do not dare to. I wish there was a way to remove them. I ordered a dermaroller after doing some research and I should get it in a week or so. Hopefully it works for me. I am so ready to wear sexy clothes again!

  29. i Says:
    May 2nd, 2010 at 1:12 pm

    i have pretty poor body image but the stretch marks on my calves are not a big deal. neither are yours! the only person who cares is you.

  30. Meera Says:
    July 1st, 2010 at 2:00 pm

    I can relate to your story and it is nice that you took time to share this story. I also suffer from marks on my legs belly buttocks even my arms, i had them since i was young. I slowly learned to get ove the ones on my legs as they are fading but not my belly. I will try the airbrushing hopefully it works, at least to use it on occasions

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