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Original poster

Any hope to get rid of these awful stretch marks (pic included)?

35 replies

Maria53 · 15/03/2020 18:18

Over the past year I have put on weight, from a size 12 to 14. Recently I have joined the gym and started feeling healthier so wasn't feeling too worried...

But then I noticed these awful stretch marks this morning!! I'm currently single & while my confidence is higher than it has been in other ways I genuinely can't imagine letting a man see me like this and therefore think I need to just shelve dating for a while.

I get a decent amount of attention with clothes on and felt bodily confident a couple of years ago. But this makes me feel hideous and guilty for gaining the weight. Is there any hope to minimise the horrendous appearance or is that it now?

Any hope to get rid of these awful stretch marks (pic included)?
OP posts:
pomegranatefizz · 15/03/2020 18:49

Sorry I don't have any wise words but following as I'm exactly the same, I have a big stretch mark on next to my belly button from weight gain and even though I'm now losing the weight and it's gone silver I hate it!

So far the only way I've found to deal with it is to pretend it's not there but I'd love to get rid of it

My2catsarefab · 15/03/2020 19:07

BioOil is always the recommended go-to for stretch marks. After a while they will fade to silvery lines anyway, almost skin-tone. I'm absolutely covered in them, don't even notice or think about them now.

WanderingTrolley1 · 15/03/2020 19:30

You are going to have to learn to live with them, they’re not going anywhere.

VimFuego101 · 15/03/2020 19:30

They'll fade away to white lines.

Bioprepper · 15/03/2020 19:48

Yer sorry they won’t go away completely but the best thing to fade them is bio oil

Original poster
Maria53 · 15/03/2020 19:50

So will bio oil at least help to fade them? Does anyone know how long on average they take to fade from purple or white or silvery? Also if I lose weight through going to the gym etc what the effect will be?

I genuinely can't imagine dating while looking at this. It has also given me a good insight into what's going to happen if I do get pregnant in the future...my mum had none fs

OP posts:
WanderingTrolley1 · 15/03/2020 21:08

I wasted hundreds of pounds on Bio Oil, used it religiously for a couple of years, made no damn difference.

You need to learn to accept them, believe me, it will have no bearing if a man likes you.

whatnow40 · 15/03/2020 21:16

Invest in some sexy as fuck underwear and own it. Confidence is everything and so much more attractive than a 'perfect' body.

HAB86 · 15/03/2020 21:26

Honestly you have a tiny few and no one else but you will notice them especially when it comes to dating! No one has ever got someone naked then said ‘oh no thanks you have stretch marks’, lol.

anonacatchat · 15/03/2020 21:35

Bio oil is nonsense

Cheap moisturizer is the same .

Try silicone scar sheets / Tret / microneedling / dermarolling / laser is another option!

Elouera · 15/03/2020 21:37

I've had them on my thighs/breast since I was 13 and suddenly hit puberty! Mum even took me to the Dr as didnt know what they were! Mine are silvery, but very much still visible. I've tried bio-oil, rosehip oil and every 'stretch mark' cream on the market! Nothing has helped at all, because its where the skin has stretched so quickly, its like a crack/tear where the skin couldn't grow quick enough.

There is a silicone gel (also patches) than can be applied or left on the skin which can apparently help and specific for scars. They need to be used for months, and a tiny tube is expensive, but you only use a tiny amount. My area is just far too large to be bothered trying to use it, but might be worth a try on yours. Large pharmacies can order it in.

Another option is laser, but again, not experience of this myself.

Elouera · 15/03/2020 21:38

@anonacatchat- heheh, cross post with the same suggestions Smile

Original poster
Maria53 · 15/03/2020 21:39

Thanks everyone.

Aside from the male aspect I have been used to seeing my body a certain way and liked it up until now. It's sad that I'm looking in the mirror thinking 'ugh'. They are just so angry looking!

But well...what can I do. I gained weight and this is the consequence. I suppose our bodies all change and I just need to get used to it. Going to give bio oil a change anyway...

OP posts:
YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 15/03/2020 21:43

They do not in any way detract from how sexually attractive your body will be to a man you choose to show it to, I guarantee it. You think they look awful - they don't. They're just a few different coloured marks on your skin. You have a great body, own it and love it because that's the sexiest thing there is.

Regain4men · 15/03/2020 21:44

Bio oil does fuck all, your stretch matks will fade anyway whether you use it or not.

Sadiesnakes · 15/03/2020 22:01

Bio oil is over hyped and over priced and no more effective than any other much cheaper oil..
If you are considering using an oil, use rosehip.

All that will happen and most moisturizing products will achieve now, is to fade them thin and silvery.

Stretch marks are an unavoidable fact of life for most people, men included and nothing to feel bad about.

Gemma2019 · 15/03/2020 22:24

Are you anywhere near London? You could have those covered by medical tattooing, it's amazing. Dry tattooing I think it's called, and it's not extortionate. No amount of bio oil or anything else will make a difference while they are that red.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/03/2020 22:29

They will fade to silvery lines very quickly.

Original poster
Maria53 · 15/03/2020 23:12

@YesThatsATurdOnTheRug ah thanks for that lovely comment, really cheered me up!

Aside from the stretch marks I do love my body, although I've put on weight it's still an hourglass and serves me well. But yeah I am cringing when I look in the mirror.

I hadn't heard of silicone gel/patches. I found some online that are getting good reviews and I may as well try it.

No @Gemma2019 I live in Scotland. I can look into if they do it closer to where I am.

OP posts:
MandalaYogaTapestry · 15/03/2020 23:49

OP, you have a smooth, supple skin. Honestly, don't worry about stretch marks, your stomach is beautiful.

Superlooper · 16/03/2020 00:15

They are not awful, they are tiny.They will fade too.

Superlooper · 16/03/2020 00:16

Google stretch marks if you want to see worse ones!

Original poster
Maria53 · 16/03/2020 00:23

Thanks @MandalaYogaTapestry Smile

Well I know there are 'worse ones' - that doesnt help how I feel about my own body right now.

I have ordered some silicone gel for scars with lots of good reviews, worth a try. I also just moisturised my stomach etc for some general tlc as I usually don't bother! Also going to take vitamin E as apparently the damage is mostly inside and that is meant to help...

OP posts:
Starfish83 · 16/03/2020 10:02

Maria53, which silicone gel did you order, please?

severalboxes · 16/03/2020 10:09

Men get stretch marks too. Would you reject someone if he had a few little tiger stripes? If you wouldn't be that shallow yourself, don't date anyone like that either.

By the way, you can get them from rapid weight loss as well as weight gain. And you'll probably have an awful lot more if you ever have a baby!