Stretch Marks

[Jenny95]

Hi everyone. I'm 39 weeks pregnant today & have stretch marks Everywhere!
Anyone recommend any affordable creams/oils to improve or fade the appearance of stretch marks?? HELP!

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MNHQ Update
This is an old thread, but if you’ve come across it while searching for advice or information on stretch marks our guide to the best stretch mark cream has been recently updated to reflect current availability and new releases. It includes a wide range of options from oils to butters, cream and balms designed for stretch mark prevention, relief and treatment. It’s been compiled using the advice of skincare experts as well as Mumsnet user recommendations. We hope it’s helpful!

did your stretch marks actually fade? and where did you get the stretch marks?

I don't know if there is a connection but I'm from an oily family! I felt I paid for missing out on getting stretch marks by being spotty in the past. Maybe if you've always had lovely dry clear skin you're more prone to stretch marks?

Also I eat lots of fruit and steamed veg, maybe that makes a difference?

If I had another I was going to go for the Bio Oil again but seeing this thread I think I'll try that Phytaoil.

me too, do you think it will work? & whats the best way to lose weight after baby is born? ive gained LOADS of weight

It's got to help About weight, I don't know, sorry that you've put some on, again, my deal is skin (I'm starting antiboitics for it in the morning!) All I know about weight is the usual, eat healthy, I always found when I was pregnant that by the time I was through drinking all my water, eating the 5 fruit a day thing, and a huge healthy dinner that I was full. I def think bfeeding helps loose it. I tend to stay smallish, with my first I put on more than my second. I bfed for ages and I think it just all gets sucked away!

I can honestly swear by Bio oil. Used it twice a day with DS and no stretchmarks at all despite being I genetically predisposed to them I think. Had loads when I was overwieght as a teenager. Still using it with this DC pregnancy had some at about 18weeks but put this down to forgetting to use my oil. After starting it again they definitely faded and no more reappeared there again you never know what might happen in the next 12 weeks as the bump grows!!

Right, well, I mostly got stretchmarks on my boobs, belly and hips from my pregnancy nearly two years ago now. Then I used some cheap mothercare cream which stopped the itching but didn't do much else. Sadly I've only just recently found Phytaoil (think it's pretty new so probably didn't exist back then anyway) so obviously my stretchmarks had already faded a bit but I definitely think they look better since using Phytaoil. They were kind of silvery but still pretty obvious and now I have to look a lot harder to spot them. I don't think anything can really remove them as they are scars deep in the skin layer but I really do think mine are looking better than they were. A friend has also used it on her post-op scars following breast cancer and she says it definitely works. No question that her scars are less visible. I'd give it a 10/10 - it's just such a nice product anyway. You should definitely try the free sample that LizRob suggested - what have you got to lose?

I got mine all in the last month when I began retaining masses of water. Nothing to do with eating too much -- all hormonal and baby related. I'd put money on it being genetic.

And actually, I'm rather proud of them -- they're like battle scars reminding me of how hard I fought to bribg my DS into the world.

Jenny, I have only been using phytaoil for a month or so, but they stretchmarks have definitely faded (I am such an obsessive that I photographed them a couple of months ago so can compare!). I apply it quite liberally on and around the areas where I have htem, which is boobs, thighs and side of my tummy. They were very noticeably raised and silvery before on my boobs and are now flatter and more skin-toned. The ones on my tummy were a nasty purply-red, and are now more a subtle pink. I think if I keep using it they will continue to improve.

It comes as a spray oil, which I think is much easier to use than a bottle, as you don't waste it all over. Also, it is much less greasy than bio oil so I can apply quite a lot and it absorbs very well.

I would give it 8 out of 10 so far, and if it carries on being this good then i would put that up to 9.

How much is this phytaoil? can you get it from big tescos?

It's about £10. I think you can get it in my big Tescos but check stockists on phytacol. Or I buy mine here

I think bio oil is better for scars/blemishes etc as opposed to preventing them. There are cheaper alternatives from places like home bargains, which do exactly the same thing. try using it regurlarly after the birth and hopefully, it will help

so is it better to use this stuff for the rest of my pregnancy (getting induced thursday) or just use it after babys born?

I hate stretchmarks!! When I was pregnant I didn't have any until I was 7 months and I noticed a single 1cm long one and from there on, I saw a new one everyday until there were so many I couldnt count!! I was covered from my breasts to halfway down my thighs. I used palmers cocoa butter and shelled out loads of cash on bio oil but nothing worked.

After DD was born the marks were so deep they bled and were dry and itchy so I continued to use the cream until they softened just to stop the itch. I was 13 days overdue, induced and had a 9lb 8oz baby so my bump was rather large!!

2 years later after doing hardly any exercise my stretch marks are still there if I pull my skin but they are just skin coloured not angry and red, so they will fade over time.

Jenny95 I would say start using it now but definitely continue using it after the birth and for as long as you want and/or until you are happy with how everything looks. And good luck for Thursday!