Tips for dealing with stretch marks

[iLanny]

Hi ladies,

I’m looking for recommendations on creams/lotions to use to help prevent stretch marks, if such a product exists? I’m 17 and a half weeks at the moment and my tummy feels like it’s growing day by day, and also getting more itchy (due to skin starting to stretch maybe?)

Anything to help me out with the stretch marks and/or itchyness would be fab!!

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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!

Stretch marks are internal. So creams etc will not help prevent them/ get rid of them. A simple moisturizer can help them fade, but a lot if down to your own bodily make-up.

I had none until 10 days ago, now I have little purple lines all around where my waistline used to be. They'll fade eventually. Try not to worry too much :)

You can’t prevent them but you can sooth the discomfort of them, different creams work for different people - bio oil seems to be a winner amongst a lot of pregnant ladies

There's literally nothing you can do about them. Anyone who claims otherwise is pedalling junk.

Moisturisers/oils will help your skin to feel more comfortable, but they won't prevent or heal stretch marks.

They absolutely do fade though, with time. You may be lucky and not really get any. I only tend to get a few close to the end. They always fade.

@FranticallyPeaceful I had a roommate a few years ago in London who worked for a clinical ombudsman. In trials BioOil is only as effective as a standard water-based moisturizer for reducing the appearance of stretchmarks. Better than nothing at all, but despite the expense no better than a cheap bottle of Boots own-brand.

@Bibijayne I specifically said nothing can prevent them so it doesn’t surprise me. I meant for soothing. I’m not sure how much it is (I use Elizabeth Arden) but I know a lot of women rave about it.
I get a tonne of stretch marks AFTERWARDS and they don’t seem to bother me when they’re actually developing, I just look like a tiger after the fact, so all I can suggest is what lots of other women seem to rave about!

Yes sadly nothing can be done. I didn’t moisturise my bump at all in either pregnancy and didn’t get a single stretch mark. Which is odd as I’m riddled with them elsewhere from growth spurts as a teen.

I was really disappointed to notice stretch marks as I moisturise loads, but like everyone else says you can't prevent them. I'm 36 weeks and have some on the tops of my thighs and on my sides, they are only a little red so I think they should fade. Think the moisturising has made my skin really soft so they haven't made my skin uneven which I think is the best you can hope for!

Again, sorry to tell you that absolutely no creams can prevent stretch marks. You either get them or you don't.

Even though there is no clear evidence that it helps I still wanted to try to and use something on the off chance it would help.
I tried a few different oils, Bio oil, Baby Mio oil etc.
Some of them are £20-30 a pop and don;t last long.

I am currently using this:
www.johnlewis.com/neal%27s-yard-remedies-mothers-balm-120g/p231547831?sku=231547831&s_kwcid=2dx92700027454025947&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItsP0iLTp2gIVqbztCh1Ssg4VEAQYASABEgIWQ_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

It's £20..but lasts ages..so much better value. I also liked that it's a balm..it just feels nicer and richer than an oil (in my opinion)

Also the ingredients are:
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Cera Alba/Beeswax, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil*.

Compare this to Bio Oil:

Ingredients
Manufacture
Ingredients
Botanicals
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract (Calendula Oil)
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil (Lavender Oil)
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil (Rosemary Oil)
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil (Chamomile Oil)
Vitamins
Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A)
Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
Oil base
Paraffinum Liquidum
Triisononanoin
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Isopropyl Myristate
Glycine Soja Oil
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
BHT
Bisabolol
Fragrance (Rose)
Parfum
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Amyl Cinnamal
Benzyl Salicylate
Citronellol
Coumarin
Eugenol
Farnesol
Geraniol
Hydroxycitronellal
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde
Limonene
Linalool
Colour
CI 26100

It has lots of oils that you shouldnt use doing pregnancy but obviously unless you are drinking them you should be fine.
But for me, the simpler the list, with the less chemicals then the better..

I have to say I am also using bio oil at the moment and I don’t think for a moment it will prevent the stretch marks but it will ease the itching and discomfort a little. I’ve been quite lucky as I have none on my belly at all but I have them on my sides. Wear any stripes you get with pride :)

I’m 34 weeks (second pregnancy). In my first pregnancy I only got stretch marks in the last two weeks, obviously this time round they are already there so they are visible this time round.

I’d say to accept it and to use a good moisturiser to help with the itching. I liked the Palmers tummy butter as it smelt nice.

You can't prevent them.I used bio oil all the way through then got loads at 38 weeks!