Bio-oil for stretchmarks/c-section scar

[Hamishsmummy]

Hi, first family holiday to Spain in two weeks and I'm thinking about trying to do something about my 3 month old stretchmarks and c-section scar (apart from show them off as pregnancy war wounds ). Have just seen the TV ad for bio-oil - can anyone recommend it or anything else?

[bearsmom]

I'm trying it on ds's chicken pox scars at the moment and it seems to be helping, albeit quite slowly.

[bagpuss]

Really, bearsmom? DS2 has a real crater in the middle of his forehead and has had it for nearly 3 months now - I was just resigned to the fact he was going to look like that forever but if you say the bio oil helps then I may give it a go.

[Chattyhan]

Bio oil is very expensive and i've used it with no real results. I used it to try and improve stretchmarks and whilst they do look a little better it may be time rather than the oil! I used it with this pregnancy to try and prevent any more stretchmarks and i'm covered in them again!

So whilst i like the fragrance/feel of the oil it doesn't work miracles

[bearsmom]

Ds's is right in the middle of his forehead too. It's still early days - he had cp last month and I've been using the Bio oil for about a week, morning and night (I asked at the local health food shop for pure vitamin E oil, as I'd read that was good for scarring, and they only had bio oil which they said is packed with vit E). I find it really hard to judge whether these things work but the scar does seem to be filling in. It's still fairly red, but I'm hoping that will fade over the next few weeks. And if it ends up still being visible, at least he looks really good with a fringe!

[missbumpy]

I've been using it while pg to help prevent stretchmarks and so far, so good but then I've still got 5 weeks to go so still plenty of time for the little blighters to rear their ugly heads!

I've looked at the ingredients and can't work out what's so good about it. It's a mineral oil base and I generally prefer natural oils like almond oil. It's got some vitamin E and A I think but you can buy bottles of Vit E in health food shops for less money. Actually Vit E is meant to be really good for existing scars so that might be worth a shot.

Sadly, I don't think any of these things are miracle cures but they might help to fade scars a bit.

Have a lovely holiday

[Chattyhan]

Missbumpy i hope it works for you i didn't get a mark with either pregnancy until 36 wks and then got covered in them in the last month! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! I'm 39 wks and want the baby out before i end up like a zebra!

[hippopotamouse]

I used to work for Holland and Barrett. We recommended Vitamin E for scars. You'll never get rid completely but the seem to fade over time, and get smoother with the oil.

Vitamin E oil

Vitamin E capsules are easier to work with, you pierce one with a pin and squeeze into your hand, rather than accidentally pouring a whole bottle on yourself!

[Hamishsmummy]

Thanks guys I'll pop down to H&B 2moro for vit E oil. I was all smug at being stretch mark free until 36 wks, then my belly became covered in them !!