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Original poster

Stretch marks and bikinis

19 replies

sweetmuffins · 26/04/2015 06:42

Hi all

I'm due to go away this summer and am fearful yet again of the dreaded stretch marks being put on show by wearing a bikini.

I got loads of stretch marks on both sides of my abdomen during my pregnancy with DD nearly 6 years ago. They faded from red to skin coloured but under most light, they look so disgusting and if anyone needed proof I've been pregnant before, it's right there and for all to see. They are an ugly sight bit only bother me when I need to wear a bikini on holiday.

How are other women so toned and stretch mark free when running round on a beach after their young DC???!!!

I'm so envious!

Do MNers who have had DC have stretch marks and, if so, how do you hide/disguise them when in a bikini and you're in and out of the water all the time, whether on holiday or at the local pool?

I'd love to know.

OP posts:

Eastpoint · 26/04/2015 06:50

Just wear your bikini & enjoy the feeling of the sun on your skin. I have stretch marks, they started when I was a teen and they developed on my stomach when I was pregnant. They don't matter to me as my value isn't tied to the beauty of the skin on my belly and if it was photographers would air brush it. Go for it!

Amaxapax · 26/04/2015 07:05

I don't have stretch marks, but I feel self conscious about my lower tummy so I got a high waisted bikini for my holiday. I wore it nearly every day and loved it. It was so flattering and really made me feel confident and happy. It also meant I could be much more active without worrying about the bottoms moving around. I got mind from Next, but Asos has some lovely ones as well.

Withalittlesparkle · 26/04/2015 07:17

Own your stretch marks.

I went on holiday 12 weeks after giving birth to DS, wore a bikini with my baby weight hanging out and my belly covered in stretch marks. So glad I did, it was quite liberating (and I def wasn't the worst one there)

Littlepumpkinpie · 26/04/2015 07:33

I've had four DC and have always wear my bikini on holiday. Yep I have my tiger stripes land proud of them. Lots of different shapes and sizes on the beach no one looks or cares about stretch marks. Get that bikini on and enjoy your holiday

tomanyanimals · 26/04/2015 07:35

If you feel self conscious the same as me but mine are on my thighs :( I would say tankini, a costume you can get some really flattering ones now or high waisted bottoms like the other poster suggested maybe try and get an hour or so child free and go and try a couple of styles on as changing room lights aren't very flattering

ElizabethHoover · 26/04/2015 07:35

WEAR THE BIKINI. This is my personal crusade. Who cares? Get it all out. If you go to the Med all the older women there don't give a fuck. If you still do just get a matching vest top to bung on when you wander about.

suddenlysix · 26/04/2015 07:43

I always find mine look so much better with a tan. Maybe you could have a spray tan done before you go away then you'll have a few days to get a natural one? But mostly you should remember that no one will notice them as much as you and if other women do notice them they'll probably be pleased to know they're not the only ones with stretch marks. If I see ladies with stretch marks on holiday it just reassures me that I'm not the only one suffering with them. I really think men don't notice, my husband doesn't seem to on me or other women! I'm sure the women you've seen running around stretch mark free have some sort of insecurity of their own as well, boobs too small, legs too big, whatever crazy thing they can be made to worry about by airbrushed and unrealistic images in the media. I'm sure you'll look lovely in whatever you find to wear. Have a fab holiday and don't let your stretch marks ruin it xx

PrimalLass · 26/04/2015 07:47

Wear it. I didn't last year but everyone else did - all shapes and sizes.

BoffinMum · 26/04/2015 07:50

Bikini with bigger pants, preferably expensive, or alternative is just to think 'fuck it'.

TheUnwillingNarcheska · 26/04/2015 08:06

This is the lesson where you learn to love your body for what it is and what it did.

My children were almost miracle babies so I am proud that I beat the odds and predictions by consultants. I have surgery marks from a laparoscopy and I still rocked out in a bikini last year despite being told by playground Mums that bikini days are over for anyone aged 30+

I walked with my head high in a gorgeous bikini. Yes my body is marked with surgery holes and stretch marks but it is what it is. I cannot change that. Learn to love it.

Hamiltoes · 26/04/2015 08:14

I'm covered in them, boobs tummy thighs calfs. I've never really seen them as ugly, mines are silvery and I like to think of them as quite beautiful and interesting.

Find the beauty in them and if you really can't, spray tan before you go usually helps.

Annarose2014 · 26/04/2015 08:18

I found this yesterday and find it really inspiring. I'm not going away this summer but hope that if I were it'd give me the courage to get out my "flames" as DH calls them!

instagram.com/loveyourlines/

BallroomWithNoBalls · 26/04/2015 09:50

I don't understand people who worry about stretch marks! I try to be as slim as possible for hols, as toned as possible and maybe a bit of fake tan - but stretch marks aren't something related to how fit or anything you are - they're a sign you've had kids which is pretty amazing, no? I genuinely don't get the fuss. They don't look unattractive. Just eat healthily until your hol, maybe go running or something and you'll feel good in your skin. Buy some nice clothes to wear and enjoy your body, you've only got one.

Summertimemadness · 26/04/2015 09:54

I wear a tiny bikini for sunbathing but for swimming or wandering about I would wear a tankini with boy shorts or an all-in-one cossie.

herethereandeverywhere · 26/04/2015 10:02

You are going on holiday!
To somewhere sunny enough for a bikini!
You have a lovely 5/6yo DD!

Life sounds pretty fking good to me! Don't bring it down by worrying and overanalysing some marks on your skin or (even worse) worrying about what others think. Life is short and precious - soak up the good times - as others have said, just enjoy your body being warm in the sun.

I enjoy a good fake tan and a new bikini as a treat for my hols.

TyrannosaurusBex · 26/04/2015 11:09

I practically live on the beach and when I see somebody in a bikini who doesn't have the archetypal beach body, the only thing I think is 'Good for you!', everybody's entitled to enjoy the sun and fresh air. I wore a bikini last year and nobody recoiled in horror from my wobbly tummy and stretch marks. As other posters have said, it's such a big deal in our heads that it's quite liberating to realise that NOBODY else minds!

Everythingsgonegreen · 26/04/2015 13:44

Go for it! no one is actually going to say anything or even be interested.

When I pointed mine on my hips to my DH -he thought they were veins!

I have a friend with fab figure tiny size 6 Kylieesque but she is hung up on her lower leg varicose veins.

My sister who in my eyes is a perfect hour glass hates the fact she is so pale and never tans.

Honestly- with age comes acceptance- I smile every time I look at my c section scar- memories of the best days of my life.

Original poster

sweetmuffins · 26/04/2015 17:43

You MNers are so lovely! Thanks for all your comments. I bloody WILL wear that bikini now. I didn't realise that I'd likely be the only one fussed about it!

OP posts:

specialsubject · 26/04/2015 17:59

the giveaway that you have been pregnant might be the short person yelling 'mum'....

some people get stretch marks, some don't. That's how some don't have them. There are no treatments or cures.

if you are spending a long time in the sun or in the water out of the shade, a bikini is not the best choice unless you want to end up looking like your handbag. Wear long board shorts and a rash vest.

enjoy your holiday.

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