What did you use to prevent stretch marks?

By banana Apr 5, 2012

I know people say that stretch marks are genetic. BUT, my mom, aunt and grandma all have tons of stretch marks (literally 50 or more) all over their stomachs and hips. I got freaked out when my mom showed me hers that I decided to use whatever creams I could get my hands on to prevent even a few of them if possible. Well, after the birth of my son, I had maybe 5 or 6 of them? My mom was shocked and I don't know what else to think except that it was due to my stretch mark cream. I used The Body Shop's Cocoa Butter tub all day every day.

What did you use to prevent/reduce stretch marks?

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20 comments

sulli301
pear / 1764 posts

Apr 5, 2012

I drank a TON of water, bottles & bottles everyday, & I really think that helped. I also used several different lotions/oils as well. Good luck
heffalump
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts

Apr 5, 2012

Nothing. My mom didn't have them so I thought I was in the clear. Boy was I wrong!
banana
coconut / 8299 posts

Apr 5, 2012

@artbee: Oh no. I was the opposite. I was FREAKED out when my mom showed me hers (never saw it before in my life) and figured it didn't hurt to try to reduce them. Glad the constant slathering of cream helped (I think). But my mom warned me that most of her stretch marks appeared after giving birth to my brother (who is younger than me) so I'm not totally in the clear yet.
mrsjazz
coconut / 8234 posts

Apr 5, 2012

I figured I would get them because my mom has them (although she did have twins!) And because I've got stretchmarks in other locations from weight gain/birth control.

I was using Bio-Oil and Mama Bee Belly Butter throughout this pregnancy and thought I was in the clear until the baby dropped. I have also been drinking a ton of water. I have stretchmarks on the lower part of my belly that are super light and about 5-6 "dots" on each hip that are super dark. So not cute. Yeah, so I don't really think the creams/oils work against genetics.
heffalump
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts

Apr 5, 2012

@banana: mine came in the last couple weeks of pregnancy. First there was a teeny tiny line, then they grew and grew. Good luck!
Weagle
coconut / 8498 posts

Apr 5, 2012

I'm not convinced that cremes will help, but I've been using them just in case... and because my skin has been so itchy the entire pregnancy!

I've been drinking a ton of water and used Palmers lotion for the first part of the pregnancy. Then the dryness got to be too much and my mom recommended Genes lotion to me. This is it: http://www.amazon.com/Genes-Vitamin-Collagen-Moisturizing-Sensitive/dp/B0013QOIGC/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1333666965&sr=1-1

This stuff is amazing!
banana
coconut / 8299 posts

Apr 5, 2012

@c.sassy: Oooh, must look into that one! Never heard of it!
Rainbow Sprinkles
eggplant / 11287 posts

Apr 5, 2012

My mom has lots of stretch marks, so I started using cream the MOMENT I found out I was pregnant.
For a while I was using Mustela, but I got sick of paying $50 a tube. Now I am using Bio Oil at least three times a day and I still am getting stretch marks.
I am 35 weeks and have six stretch marks on one side of my hips and seven on the other side of my hips. Not horrible, but now they are purple and gross looking. I can't wait for them to fade!
I guess creams DON'T work... either your skin is gonna get them or it isn't.
chopsuey
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts

Apr 5, 2012

I didn't very many stretchmarks. I didn't do anything to prevent them either.
bebe
pea / 23 posts

Apr 5, 2012

My mom didn't get any stretch marks and she has 3 girls. I'm hoping I get just as lucky! I've been using L'Occitane Organic Pure Shea Butter and love it. We shall see how well that works combined with my genetics.
http://usa.loccitane.com/FO/Certified-Organic-Pure-Shea-Butter,p01BK150K0.htm
banana
coconut / 8299 posts

Apr 5, 2012

@bebe: I love loccitane's hand cream. I never thought about using it for stretch marks. Good idea!
betsyboop
nectarine / 2886 posts

Apr 5, 2012

I've been using Mama Mio stretch mark cream, but I'm convinced it's genetic. I have stretch marks on my boobs and 2 small ones on my butt. None on my stomach yet, I'm really really hoping it stays that way!

I heard diet can affect stretch marks too...
banana
coconut / 8299 posts

Apr 5, 2012

@betsyboop: I LOVE the way mamamio smells but it's so expensive.
betsyboop
nectarine / 2886 posts

Apr 5, 2012

@banana: Agree! I used cheaper brands (California Baby, Lush, coconut oil) until my belly really started growing, and then I switched to mama mio. But it does smell so so good!
MsLipGloss
GOLD / pineapple / 12662 posts

Apr 11, 2012

I have a few stretch marks on my hips and inner thighs from a growth spurt during puberty, and my mom said that she got a few stretch markes during her two pregnancies.

To date (at 19 weeks and barely a bump, but a significant weight gain), I have been using L'Occitane's Shea Butter Ultra Rich Body Cream on my hips, thighs, booty, belly, and boobs, for whatever help it may provide. I don't have any new stretch marks . . . yet . . . but I have a ways to go. I am also trying to stay hydrated, which reminds me I need to go fill up my h20 bottle.

@BetsyBoop: can you explain what you mean by your diet affecting stretch marks?
Minnie_Girl
persimmon / 1453 posts

Apr 11, 2012

My understanding is that you can prevent stretch marks more by what you put IN your body than what you put ON your skin. I hear that supplementing with coconut oil could be effective...

http://www.mommypotamus.com/coconut-oil-for-radiant-skin-a-supercharged-metabolism-and-um-a-stretchier-you/
yoursilverlining
eggplant / 11824 posts

Apr 11, 2012

I’ve been using Dr. Hauschka Black Thorn body oil. It makes your skin more elastic (so, less likely to get stretch marks). It’s a bit pricey for a bottle, but the bottle lasts a long time. I also use a really rich cream with different oils and butters in it that I got at a local organic spa.

Knock on wood, at 32 weeks and a big ole belly I have no stretch marks. My doctor was surprised last time she did a belly check!

My mom didn’t have any stretch marks either though, through either pregnancy.
Mrs. Sunglasses
GOLD / pomelo / 5167 posts

Apr 11, 2012

I used everything I could find and still got stretch marks. It's all in the elasticity of your skin (and how fast the baby grows)
twogirls
coffee bean / 26 posts

Apr 11, 2012

my mom and my sisters all have stretch marks, so i felt doomed to get them especially since i already have some on my legs from growth spurts. with my first pregnancy, i used palmers oil, mama mio cream, and vitamin E oil. i was surprised i didn't have any marks after the 1st. on my 2nd pregnancy, i only did vitamin E oil. no stretch marks. i find vitamin E oil to be the cheapest option and it works. i slather on every morning, night and after shower. it's greasey but effective! worth it to be stretch mark free.
LAGS
clementine / 916 posts

Apr 11, 2012

I'm almost 36 weeks and have one stretch mark about half an inch long, but its over my old, grown over belly button ring scar. I just kept using my usual moisturizer the Vaseline Intensive Care with Cocoa butter and sometimes even the knock-off brand. I didn't moisturize daily before but have since finding out I was pregnant. It worked for me and I wouldn't bother with paying extra for any miracle prevention creams... but I could just be lucky genetically.

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What did you use to prevent stretch marks?

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