I am a 30 year old mom of two. I just found out that I am about 7 weeks pregnant with number three. (WHOOPS!) I have MANY stretch marks from my first two pregnancies. I am hoping to keep them to a minimum with this pregnancy, but obviously, what I have done in the past has not worked! I would like to know what creams have worked for those of you with minimal marks. Please respond with anything you have used that worked. Thanks for your help!
My sister purchased this oil from Clarins (you can buy it from their makeup counter at most decent department stores) called Huile “Tonic” Body Treatment Oil. It is really pricey at $46 a bottle but she swears by the stuff after having 3 children and not one stretch mark to show for it. I am now pregnant 40 weeks 2 days, have been using the oil, and still no stretch marks. Maybe it is genetic, or maybe the stuff really does something–who knows?
I greased myself up with cocoa butter cream twice a day. I was so greasy, but I only got a couple of little marks on my tummy. There really is no magic cure or prevention. Stretchmarks are genetic. You can’t do anything to prevent them completely. I think the cream made my skin more stretchy though. I only got a few stretchmarks although I had them already on my hips from puberty.
I have BAD stretch marks from my first pregnancy (9lb 13oz baby plus a good 60 lb weight gain) and I have been using a cream called “Striae” and I have been using it all through my second pregnancy and so far no new stretch marks and also, it helps fade the old ones. I have only been using it for a couple months (i am due in 2 weeks) and my old marks are fading! You can only get it online. I get it from a company called “skin1” for about $60 a tube. Good luck, I hope it helps!
Its all about genetics so feel free to lather yourself with whatever…it will probably help with the itchy stretchy feeling but wont prevent any new stretch marks.
I got TONS with #1…9lb 8oz 23 3/4 long baby. They started fading and when I became pregnant w/#2 17months later I didn’t get anymore and my old ones still looked faded. Im now expecting #3 11 months later and am 26 weeks and again no new stretch marks and the old ones are still nice and pail. The last 2 pregnancies I gained A LOT less and I think thats what helped the most. Good luck and congrats!
Unfortuantely, I don’t think there’s anything you can do to stop them. If you’re going to get them, then you’ll get them, and if you got them with your last two pregnancies, then you’ll probably get soem more with this one.
Sorry to be so negative, but I just hate seeing women put faith into “miracle creams” that really don’t work. Like the other commenter said, it’s all genetics, plus your body type and your age. Good luck with your third baby! :)
I’ve tried many things over the years to smooth out my stretch marks during and between pregnancies. I got them bad after my first pregnancy with twins. I haven’t stuck with anything long enough to see if it works mainly because it took up too much of my time or my money.
This time I’m trying something called Soft-E Lotion and I’m also using Epidermx II. I just started using the lotion last week and I’ve decided to give it 6 months before I throw in the towel. We’ll see what happens.
I’ve read some encouraging testimonials about both products so I’m giving them a try. Hope you find something that works for you!
And congratulations on your little surprise ;)
I would agree that there is no such thing as a miracle cream. But you can smooth them. What I’ve always done was take St Ives Apricot Scrub and a good wooden massage brush and massage my stretch marks. It really makes a difference cause it gets ride of the dead skin and helps your blood flow better to the damage skin. I’m 25 weeks prego now, and I’ve been doing that plus I massage pure Coconut oil and Olive oil on my skin everyday and night. So far no new stretch marks and my old ones seem to be keeping their similar structure. Plus it is cheaper than those “special” creams and I know what I’m putting on my skin is PURE not just “essance of” and chemicals. Even though I know my chances of getting more are higher, I will continue to do that since it does help keep the skin moist and stretchable. Plus drink ALOT of water.
I started getting stretch marks at about 30 weeks, they were on the lower 1/2 of my belly. One month later and my twins were born!! Life was pretty crazy for awhile and my stretch marks were the least of my concerns. A girlfriend had given me a Phytomer product called SeaTonic stretch mark reducing cream, raving of others success. I tried it with not alot of hope, but almost instantly the marks began to fade. It worked wonders and I only used one tube!
So give it a shot and good luck
A friend of mine used extra virgin olive oil EVERY day with her first 3 pg and got NO stretch marks, on pg #4 her hubby was tired of the smell so she didnt use it and got stretch marks with that baby! With baby #5 she used it again and no new stretch marks…worth a try!
I agree that getting stretch marks has a lot to do with genetics. I gained a lot of weight in puberty, and since i have no kids yet, my tummy is pretty much the only place where I DON’t have stretchmarks yet! All of my marks faded to white within a few years. I usually don’t notice them anymore, nor does my husband. I don’t think you should worry yourself over them. So many people have them. I have noticed that staying well hydrated and using that Jergins skin firming lotion, or any lotion with seaweed extract can help soften the appearance.
When I was pregnant with my daughter I broke the bank in trying not to get stretchmarks, constantly putting creams of EVERY kind on my belly, massaging it… you name it, I tried it. I’d close my office door and pull my shirt up and lather it up and massage all day at work and again at home in the evening. But despite my efforts, I got them. Believe me, if there was a way of preventing them… I wouldn’t have any! Good luck though… I know what it’s like to dread them… and although it sucks having them… they don’t change who I am at the end of the day. I’m healthy, my daughter is beautiful and healthy… I’m not going to worry about stretchmarks – not when you look at the big picture in life. All the best!
100% Shea butter if you can find it and I mean 100%, all natural, made in Africa. I gained 40 pounds when I was pregnant with my daughter, I gained most of it during the last trimester and loss most of it right after my daughter was born. I got stretch marks literally all over my body from my calves to my boobs. I discovered 100% Shea butter at an African store when my daughter was a few months old. It’s a little oily, but it reduced the redness of my stretch marks instantly. I still have the stretch marks but they have healed to the point where I can feel comfortable with them. Good luck and congrats!
ps-its also great for diaper rash
I agree with genetics but it’s worth a try! I used a cream called “Lay it on Thick” by Bath and Body Works and got no stretch marks. I put it on every day immediately after taking a shower. It smells so good and the moisture lasts all day long!
i used bath and body works too shea everyday sometimes 2x a day i had to use 2 containers for the 9 months. i also put baby oil on after every shower and i didn’t get a single stretch mark…i hope this helps :)
I think everyone is completely different. A lot of woman say that certain creams and oils work for them however some say that it doesn’t. I used cocoa butter two to three times a day and used it the same through my pregnancy and it never battled one stretch mark. I have several on my tummy, hips and thighs. I was (some would say) unlucky in that department. My mother didnt have one single stretch mark and she had three children! Since having my baby I have used Bio-Oil and it really does reduce the appearence of my stretch marks and it leaves skin in great condition. It is pricey but it really worked for me where creams havent at all. There are also other oils that would probably work if you find Bio-Oil a bit expensive. It seems time consuming but you just have to try a few things and find what works best for your skin. Im sure you’ll find something! Good luck!
My wife used to use Olive Oil on her stretch marks (after 3 of our children), and while it may have helped a little – it was very oily and left stains everywhere. Not fun for me. After our last child (who was born 3 months ago), she had a stomach full of stretch marks. Her doctor recommended the Somatique Stretch Mark Treatment (from the Lady Soma brand), and she started using it all the time. MUCH BETTER! I have noticed remarkable improvement since she started using Somatique – and no more oily stains! My five year old son has even noticed how much nicer her stomach looks. I highly recommend it for you since you are looking to try Olive Oil, especially since its all natural and has no harmful chemicals in it.