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Pregnancy

Stretch Mark Cream: What works (or waste of money)??

132 replies

Cupcake83 · 27/01/2012 11:58

Ok so I am pregnant with #1, about 9 weeks or so according to Dr Google.

In a vain attempt to prevent stretch marks I have been lathering Bio Oil and Palmers cocoa butter (not together) all over my boobs, back, hips and tum for a while and wanted to see what others are using/have used in the past and most importantly if they are any good :)

I'm aware that regardless of what I smother myself in I may still end up with stretch marks - but at least I tried right???

OP posts:
Sandra2011 · 27/01/2012 12:02

In my 1st pregnancy I didn't get any stretch marks and I only used normal dry skin moisturiser, whatever was on sale at the time.
And have been doing the same now in my 2nd pregnancy.

You either get them or you don't. No cream can 100% guarantee that it works.

Snowbeetle · 27/01/2012 12:03

Skin has a natural elasticity tolerance - go past it and you get tiny fissures which are your proverbial stretch marks. Everyones threshold is different and you can't change the skin you were born with.
But, that said, you can help your skin out, so moisturisers and keeping really well hydrated are the two things you can do.
May or may not make a difference. :)
I used bio-oil, cos someone recommended it, but was not disciplined about it, drank like a fish, and ended up with no marks at all. What made the difference? no idea. Most ladies in my family don't get stretch marks. so hey ho.
I'd do it again though.... like you said... just in case. Grin

milkysmum · 27/01/2012 12:05

I have two DC's one aged 3 years one 4 months. Used bio oil from first trimester with both and have been fortunate to not get a single stretch mark- I have no idea whether I would have got them without the bio oil or am just lucky? would say it's worth a go though ( alot cheaper if you buy off amazon rather than high street chemist aswell.

Snowbeetle · 27/01/2012 12:05

p.s congratulations - such an exciting time ahead for you. Grin

monkeymamma · 27/01/2012 12:13

I've been using Bio Oil (but only once a day instead of recommended twice, I'm not made of money lol!) and am 40+1 today.I've got no stretch marks at all (on the bits I've been rubbing it into - ie my tummy and bosoms - but forgot my bum until I noticed loads of stretch marks there at about 25 weeks, quickly started putting it on hips bum and thighs too, oops!)

Another thing that's helpful is E45 lotion, which I used for a bit when my tummy got really itchy/flakey around the 35 week mark (I had run out of Bio Oil and used something else instead which seemed to irritate my skin - or possibly my skin was just protesting about lack of Bio Oil having gotten used to it!). It rubs in really really easily and is super cheap and very soothing.

Congrats on the pregnancy and happy bump-care!!

rrrayray · 27/01/2012 12:13

I can recommend mama mio products. Like the others say who knows how much if any help they give you, but they certainly make you feel good.

Their tummy oil and butter are lovely.

AdiVic · 27/01/2012 12:17

Hello - all the women in my family suffer with sm, and my sister looks like she has been mauled by a tiger:( so I was petrified about getting them. At the time I worked for a medical wound and skin care co, so had access to all clinical trials on loads of medical creams, so I got to see what has basically crap in it, and what doesn't. I also got free samples of a certain ointment (epaderm) which treats very dry skin/eczema etc, so i lathered that on at night, and coco butter cream in the mornings. I got no stretch marks:) On second pregnancy now, so ask me in 6 months, but so far so good. You can support the structure of the skin by moisturising, so I would recommend keeping up with a good routine. Watch out for parabens in products - listed in ingredients, they are not too good. p.s. I no longer work for that co, they made me redundant, but I still use their ointment (not cream).

Joygirl78 · 27/01/2012 12:33

I read that stretch marks appear well below level of the skin epidermis, so any topical treatments - creams and oils - will have no effect as they don't penetrate deep enough. No idea if this is true. But I also heard that if you are prediposed, then you will get them whataver you do as it's genetic.

For first pregnancy I used mamma mio butter and oil which cost a bomb. Stretch marks appeared below belly button at 36 weeks, but they faded with time and have never bothered me.

This time I have bio oil - as it works so well on all types of scarring. And also cocoa butter stretch mark cream. I haven't been as diligent in applying every day. Marks have appeared much earlier and there are more. But honestly I don't really care. After 2 kids I'm not exactly likely to be wearing crop tops or bikinis on the beach in years to come. I rather like the faded silvery marks - they remind me of that big stretched pregnancy belly.

TheBreadstick · 27/01/2012 12:35

Hi cupcake83 and congrats on the pregnancy!

I think stretch marks are something some women are pre-disposed to rather than something you can prevent.

I'm 29 weeks now with #1 and starting to get a fair sized bump. I haven't used any creams as of yet during pregnancy, no stretch marks either yet, but I do find just recently that a) as my tummy is getting bigger and the skin a little tighter, it's nice to ease the tightness with a bit of cream (I'm using the bodyshop's Vit E Body Butter) and b) it helps bond with my emerging bump to sort of massage it and watch the kicks!

I'd say carry on with the cream/oil if you enjoy the pamper, but don't expect it to prevent stretch marks as you may end up disappointed!

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

Bread x

pickledparsnip · 27/01/2012 12:42

I used Bio Oil religiously throughout my pregnany and for quite a while after. I didn't get any stretchmarks until about 32 weeks (hips), and didn't get any on my tummy (lower half) until after I'd given birth and my tummy shrank. Wasn't expecting that! I hear it's just all down to genes. I come from a very stretchmarky family!

melliebobs · 27/01/2012 14:15

I haven't used anything. 36+5. Youre either gonna get them or not. And if you are there's nowt that's going to stop it

Samvet · 27/01/2012 14:18

I spent a fortune on every cream under the sun and got millions of stretch marks. I was v upset but then got over it. Genetics I am afraid, next time I won't waste my time!!!

Pagwatch · 27/01/2012 14:20

It took me two readings of the thread title to realise that Mark Cream is not some bloke.

quitcomplaining · 27/01/2012 14:20

You either get them or you don't. I use bio oil twice a day from 12 weeks and got a fair few sm appear from 30ish weeks.

My sil was pregnant at the same time, 4 weeks ahead of me, and never used any cream and didn't get one sm.

I hear of some slathering on all sorts and getting none and claiming it was whatever cream they used but tbh it's all in your genetics. If your mum got them you are likely too.

I thought I would be devastated by my sm after birth of dd but they really don't bother me.
I'm pregnant aagain and will not be wasting my money on expensive lotions this time.

memphis83 · 27/01/2012 14:23

I used any cream, but I used loads of it, people thought I was mad, I would have a tub in every room, whenever I got a minute I would be rubbing it in, I hardly drink anything and made sure I drank loads while pregnant. My sister used expensive creams but didnt up her fluid intake and she looks like a zebra.

Dollybird99 · 27/01/2012 14:27

Hi Cupcake,

I am 31+1 and so far have only two new stretchmarks. I have a few down at the bottom of my tummy from being overweight, but only two new ones further up since I've been pregnant. I've been using Palmers Cocoa Butter every day (twice a day) since I was about 16 weeks, with a short interlude in between when someone bought me some Sanctuary Tummy butter. It seems to be working so far! My mum is covered in them so I thought I would get loads...I suppose there's still time!

Congratulations!!

EdithWeston · 27/01/2012 14:28

It's all down to your genes. Ask your DM, if you can, whether where and how badly she got stretch marks. You'll be similar.

If there was a cream that really worked then, trust me, everyone would know about it.

Massage is nice, feeling pampered is nice - at least you'll get this benefits.

mistressploppy · 27/01/2012 14:28

Grin at Pagwatch

I didn't get any with DS1 and none yet at 38+4 with DC2. I have oily skin generally so maybe this helps?? Agree with Melliebobs and the others - nothing works. Just cross your fingers Wink

Cupcake83 · 27/01/2012 14:50

Grin Pagwatch

Thanks for all your tips, I'm going to stcik with it - I am from a stretch marky family though so my hopes ain't high :)

OP posts:
JuliaScurr · 27/01/2012 15:31

Got none with Palmer's cocoa butter; dd got rid of newish ones with Palmer's scar serum

JumpyGill · 27/01/2012 15:34

Clarins Huile Tonic - it is quite expensive but it worked for me.

Ghoulwithadragontattoo · 27/01/2012 15:46

Congrats. I actually think keeping your skin moisturised is a good idea when you're pregnant. My skin was much drier and I really enjoyed putting the stretch mark cream as my bump got bigger. It may not stop you getting stretch marks but will make your skin feel lovely anyway and is nice way to bond with baby too. I do have stretch marks on my bum and boobs from puberty (possible exacerbated by pregnancy) but never got them on my tummy during two pregnancies so it's possible the cream did help. I had a lovely milk, olive and neroli one from Boots which was about £4 for a big pot which smells gorgeous. Also comes with a nice bubble bath in same range.

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silentcatastrophe · 27/01/2012 15:53

I have stretchmarks on my hips and bum from growing, but none from being pg. My body is a different shape but it would be a different shape if I became a bodybuilder

Aloha31 · 27/01/2012 15:57

my mum and two sisters were riddled with them after their pregnancies. sisters used Bio oil every day.

I assumed I would get them too. I bought a cheapo sweet almond oil from Asian supermarket, mixed it with wheatgerm oil and used that. then a friend bought me the Weleda Pregnancy oil. It's more or less the same ingredients. I was 16 days late with a big baby and not a single mark.

I treated my sisters to it and both have seen a massive improvement on old stretchmarks after a few weeks.

This oil deserves to be better known!

CarrieInAnotherTWOBabiTWINS · 27/01/2012 16:02

i think you either get them or you don#t

i used bio oil in first pg, still got fair few strechmarks, but they are the groooves in the skin type rather then the dark purple, so they are not too bad.

this time im using bio oil, somedays other days santcury bump butter or oil.

havent noticed any difference really.

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