23 replies to this topic

[yourockmymundo]

I'm new to this message board, so sorry if this topic doesn't relate to cosmetics and style.

Well anyway, I'm not sure if theres a topic about stretch marks, but oh well.

I hate stretch marks. I hate them with a passion. I already have acne on my face, and I don't need something extra to want to get rid of, like stretch marks. I'm 15 years old and I have stretch marks on my upper thighs and lower butt. I told my parents about how much they bother me so much, and they told me that it's no big deal...but I think it is. My stretch marks are pretty thick compared to the stretch marks that my friends have and I have a lot of them. I don't understand why I have them...I'm only about 5'2 and about 105 pounds. I guess it's because I'm growing. I also think it might be from gaining weight and losing weight because I do judo and you have to watch your weight and all of that stuff, so sometimes you eat more than you should and then work out and lose it.

I think my age plays a big factor on why I hate my stretch marks so much. My dermatologist told me to put the Tazorac that he prescribed for my acne, on my stretch marks. I guess it kind of helped, by making them not as raised. I also thought I'd give some over-the-counter medication a try too, so I've been using Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Cream for Stretch Marks. Since my dermatologist told me not to put the cocoa butter on top of the Tazorac, I put Tazorac on my stretch marks at night, and the Palmer's on in the morning.

Maybe I'll just have to accept my body, because I think that a lot of people have stretch marks...but it sucks that I can never be like my friends that aren't afraid to wear bikinis WITHOUT board shorts because of my hideous stretch marks. I know that more women will have to deal with stretch marks when they get pregnant, but I feel so alone becuase all of my friends are perfect.

[keltron]

Are they still red? Stretch marks do fade with time. They'll always be there, but they won't be as obvious. I have stretch marks on my breasts, but they aren't very noticeable - they faded after a few years.

I'd guess that your stretch marks won't even be obvious given a little time. In the meantime, you might want to do some research on how to prevent stretch marks since you know that you're prone to them.

[Just me!]

Oh, I know what you mean. I have them the same places you do, except it's quite severe and I also have them around my hip area and on the back of my calves--which is why I do not own a single skirt or dress. ): atm I'm 19 at 5'4" and weigh 100lbs. But I think that it's not necessarily a weight issue. I grew up (physically-- ) relatively quickly and early. Perhaps it is because of a sudden and rapid growth spurt...? Has this happened to you as well?

I've tried Palmer's cocoa butter for about a year. Personally, I don't think it does anything in terms of getting rid of the marks... but different people will yield different results, so don't get discouraged! I agree with keltron that prevention is the best route you can take at this point-- you are still young should be growing some more. My mother had a friend who, as soon as she found out she was pregnant, immediately started using Palmer's cocoa butter every day and now she doesn't have any stretch marks at all.

I'm sorry I can't help you out more than that--but if it really bothers you and you have some money to spare, I've heard about some laser procedures that can lessen the marks. Haven't done it personally, but perhaps you could do some research on it. 'Just letting you know you're not alone. If you find something that works for you, please also let me know!

[partyhard]

This is a major problem for me too. I'm currently treating some of them with TCA peels. This is just me doing it so I wouldn't advise anyone to go out and get TCA and peel yourself. I'm experimenting. I hope I can get rid of them. I've only started about a month ago.

[yourockmymundo]

Oh, I know what you mean. I have them the same places you do, except it's quite severe and I also have them around my hip area and on the back of my calves--which is why I do not own a single skirt or dress. ): atm I'm 19 at 5'4" and weigh 100lbs. But I think that it's not necessarily a weight issue. I grew up (physically-- ) relatively quickly and early. Perhaps it is because of a sudden and rapid growth spurt...? Has this happened to you as well?

I've tried Palmer's cocoa butter for about a year. Personally, I don't think it does anything in terms of getting rid of the marks... but different people will yield different results, so don't get discouraged! I agree with keltron that prevention is the best route you can take at this point-- you are still young should be growing some more. My mother had a friend who, as soon as she found out she was pregnant, immediately started using Palmer's cocoa butter every day and now she doesn't have any stretch marks at all.

I'm sorry I can't help you out more than that--but if it really bothers you and you have some money to spare, I've heard about some laser procedures that can lessen the marks. Haven't done it personally, but perhaps you could do some research on it. 'Just letting you know you're not alone. If you find something that works for you, please also let me know!

wow. 5'4 and 100 pounds. you must be in great shape "]. well anyways I'll just use the rest of the palmer's cocoa butter until the bottle is done, and maybe will try something else. I was thinking of trying Bio-Oil. (Have you ever heard of this product? any reviews?)I've read some really good reviews for it online. But, I think that Bio-Oil is a product made to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and not to prevent it, while the cocoa butter supposedly says it helps prevent and reduce stretch marks. So I'm not sure whether I should stick with the cocoa butter or try something new. But when I fiind something good, I'll let you know.

[beautiful.life]

Yeah I hear you. I'm 16 and have had stretch marks from about a year ago I think. And just so you know, they do fade as someone said earlier. Like, I still notice them, but they're not nearly as noticable as they were before. They turn white, and you still kinda have the indentations, but it's better. Stretch marks suckkk. I didn't know you could get them so young, but I managed! I'm 5'7 and 120 btw. Ugh. Good luck, but remember that they will improve with time. =)

[sunny123]

I got stretch marks around 7 years old on my upper thighs. I remember being embarrassed to be in a bathing suit. Adults were staring at me, I'm sure because people associate stretch marks with pregnancy, not with 7 year old children.

Anyway, I have tried every single cream out there. Wihtout a doubt those products are a waste of money. (SORRY!)

I did a laser treatment about two years ago that helped a lot. I don't remember the exact laser, but it was something that stimulates collagen growth. Basically, the collagen is a layer in your skin that tears when you grow too fast or gain weight quickly. (That is why the creams don't work - it's a problem inside the structure of the skin). The laser stimulates your body to grow more collagen. And that is exactly what it did. It took 6 months to see improvement, but after a full year I had an even better result. It's about 85% less than before treatment.

If I had another treatment, I'm sure it would help even more. But there were side effects - right after I had some burns that took a few weeks to heal. But the stretch marks are so barely noticable now that I don't care. If I am going to wear a bathing suit, I put on Dermablend leg cover makeup and my legs look entirely normal!

Anyway, I know not everyone can afford laser treatments. Tanning does nothing, the marks don't tan, so if they're white they stand out even more. I would highly suggest looking into body makeup. Don't be like me and miss out on pool parties and going to the beach because you don't want to get into a bikini. Dermablend is nice because it's waterproof.

Hope that helps someone!

[mooshoo]

If you treat them early (still red) with Fraxel re:store or re:pair they can totally go away. It regenerates the collagen and makes it weave back together. My sister had some and got them zapped right away as soon as she delivered. They are totally gone. I was really surprised. i think she said she did fraxel twice a month for like 3 months. Only thing is her husband is wealthy and paid thousands for it.

[LongfellowDeeds]

when i started bodybuilding i expanded so much i had epic stretch marks all over my biceps, legs, chest ect.

they will fade with time, dont worry about it. may take 4 or so months tho.

[katiepie]

Gotta agree with what everyone else has said, the creams won't do much for existing stretch marks, though may help prevent future ones.

I've had stretch marks since puberty (13) and now, nearly 10 years on, I can honestly say I don't really care about them anymore. I'm still a little self conscious about them, particularly the ones on my breasts. But, I look at it this way, they don't seem to bother my boyfriend, they don't seem to bother my friends, so why should they bother me? You WILL get to a point when you feel confident enough to wear a bikini without boardshorts, I do! No one at the beach is looking at you, and if they are, it's probably because they think you look great.

And to the poster who said they don't own a skirt because of stretch marks on their calves, I have them too, but my love of fashion is SO much stronger than any self conscious feelings I might have about stretchmarks, so regardless of how many stretchmarks I may be displaying to the world, I wear skirts, shorts and dresses to my heart's content and still feel happy and confident.

All bodies are beautiful. And you should never be ashamed of something as inoffensive as a strechmark.

[Just me!]

yourockmymundo... haha, I wish I was in good shape. I just have really crappy frail/thin bones. I'd view myself as average weight. I haven't heard of Bio-oil for this use... but you can find a few reviews at MakeupAlley. You'll need an account, but it's free.

Sunny, were your stretch marks old or new? Mine are quite old (maybe 5 years?) and I'm not sure if laser would help... of of curiousity, how much did that laser treatment cost?

Katiepie, I hope that I can be as confident as you one day! You sound like a really strong person. It's just that during gym class in high school (where everyone HAD to wear shorts), some girls went "EW. What's that on your legs?!" Girls can be so cruel.

[Kriszti]

I'm 34 and have had them since sixth grade. They are on my upper outer thighs, but they have faded significantly since I first got them years ago. The only annoyance is that they are lighter than the rest of my skin when I tan, which is extremely rare anymore. Thankfully, I didn't get any when I was pregnant three years ago, so there is hope for you as well! In fact, I think I'm more disgusted with my post-baby pooch and cellulite-ridden ass and thighs right now.

[sunny123]

My stretch marks were extremely old, I've had them since I was seven and I am 29 now. So they were definitely silvery-white/faded, but they still bothered me. I think the laser treatment I had was $600. I had planned on getting a series of three or four treatments, but only ended up doing one. So I didn't get 100% result, but I am happy with how it turned out. I often walk around the house in my underwear, it doesn't bother me because you can barely see them. But if I am going to the pool I will cover with a little dermablend and it looks like my legs are perfect.

I know how people say, just go for it, wear shorts, bathing suits, etc. More power to you if you can do that, but I could never have fun, I was always so self-concious. Now, after the one laser treatment, and with makeup if needed I wear whatever I want and feel great. So if they bother you, look into a laser treatment. And makeup is a good solution too if you don't have the $$$.

[cherry609]

It's normal to have them. It's NOT normal to not have them.

[sunny123]

I disagree. Most of my friends do not have stretch marks. One girl I know does have them on her cleavage, but I don't know anyone that has them on their upper thighs. Plus, I had really bad stretch marks, not just a few, but many! I am happy that I did something about them because they were making me unhappy.

[zenonie]

I had terrible stretch marks around 4th grade because I just shot up (height wise) by at least a few inches but after I stopped growing they completely went away.

you could always try the stuff pregnant women use...palmer's cocoa butter for stretch marks? idk.

[Fizzgig]

sunny123, do you have any application tricks when using the dermablend? It’s just I’ve read some reviews where people said it set dry and flaky and was hard to match skin tone. Also do you try to just apply it to the stretchmarks or the general area since that would be easier to do depending on number and size of the marks?

[erin6]

i know i'm late on giving my two cents but here's how i feel about em...

i have em, i still get a few, yea they're annoying but what can you do? i've tried creams and stuff and it didn't really make a difference. I guess it just comes down to accepting your body for what it is (which i'm still working on, I think it may be a life long process lol)

and if i'm in a bathing suit oh well, i don't care what strangers think and the people i do worry about don't care!

[sunny123]

sunny123, do you have any application tricks when using the dermablend? It’s just I’ve read some reviews where people said it set dry and flaky and was hard to match skin tone. Also do you try to just apply it to the stretchmarks or the general area since that would be easier to do depending on number and size of the marks?

First off, I recommend using Dermablend Leg Cover. (Not the regular dermablend makeup for face). It is creamy, but applies with nice good coverage. I did not have much trouble matching the skin tone, because I am very pale, so I just used the lightest color. But...I bought it from the Ulta store which has sample tubes out in every color so you can try it out before buying. Perhaps you have a similar store in your area?

My stretch marks are silvery-white (not red) and therefore pretty easy to cover. I squeeze out a small amount and blend over the whole area. I try to use a very small amount of dermablend in a thin layer, keeping in mind that you can always apply more. I don't think it's dry/flakey at all, but it might depend on what area you are applying to? It is thicker than regular makeup and also waterproof. It usually last a few days (even through swimming and showers), unless I purposely apply cleanser and scrub it off.

One other thing - recently I used this and discovered the color wasn't exactly perfect, because I had more of a tan than usual. After applying the dermablend, I dusted bronzing powder over it for color and then it looked great. Hope that helps!

[JPizzle]

stretch marks suck. i got them on my arms

when i started bodybuilding i expanded so much i had epic stretch marks all over my biceps, legs, chest ect.

they will fade with time, dont worry about it. may take 4 or so months tho.

same here