Stretch marks

[Rshard]

Hoping someone has some advice about minimising stretch marks?

My dd15 has developed a few on her thigh during lockdown. She’s very self conscious of them. She’s a swimmer who hasn’t been anywhere near as active during lock down so has put on a little weight, not very much so I’m surprised she’s ended up with these stretch marks. She’ll be back swimming soon and obviously the marks will be visible. She’s always been so body confident and it’s really hard to see her struggling with these. She’s been using bio oil and that seems to be helping but I wondered if there was anything else?

Thanks

Mothers special blend. My friends stomach was destroyed with them and it really made a massive difference to them and the skin in general. it does stink and is like a cooking oil texture

I got stretch marks at around the same age and Bio Oil helped a little. The only thing that helped me was time, they are barely noticeable now in my 30s - not particularly useful for your daughter right now though! But moisturising the area will help.

Thanks both

tell her to stop using the Bio Oil. She can continue the massage if she wants but she really is wasting her time.

stretch marks either do or don't disappear on their own. Bio Oil, or snake oil as it should be known, does nothing and nor does anything else.

life lesson one - the beauty 'industry' lies.

and if she is swimming her thighs are in the water anyway!!

I completely sympathise. I went from a tall, thin 12yr old then stopped growing up, and grew outwards! Boobs and thighs from nowhere! I got stretch marks on my breasts, thighs and buttocks at 13. The worst part, was that my thin mum took to the GP as she had no clue what they were

Over the years, I have tried ALL sorts. Bio-oil, creams, rosehip oil and absolutely nothing made any difference. They will change from an angry, purple colour and eventually go silvery which is less noticable.

There is a silicone formula which has been proven to help scars and stretch marks though. It comes in a gel or patches and needs to be used for months to be of any use. (I've never tried it myself though. My marks are so extensive, that I'd spend a fortune on it, plus, I'm in my 40's now and not so bothered.)

One brand is dermatix. Its expensive, but with the gel, you only use a tiny, thin layer. I think the gel would be much easier than patches too, especially on the thighs.

The only other thing I'm aware of to reduce scarring is laser treatment. No idea of costs for that, and they may not do it until she has stopped growing, but something to consider.

I have to agree
Nothing works !!!! They will fade over time . When I was pregnant I used creams from day one .( I have skin that scars very easily). I put them on morning , noon and night , every bloody day. Didn't make a jot of difference. I am now a proud ofwner of s belly full of stretch mar

Thanks for the additional thoughts, really appreciate. She’s a competitive swimmer mencken, so it’s the time waiting to get into the pool or doing poolside activation that she’s anxious about. Kids can be very direct. Obviously once in the water it’s not an issue.

I think maybe what would have helped me the most as a teenager would have been someone telling me that they are completely normal. Instead I thought I was weird as none of my friends had them (to my knowledge anyway). Maybe if she can work to being more comfortable and accepting of them that will help her, maybe not embracing them but just being comfortable with them.

That’s exactly what I’ve tried to do everley, I’ve told her that we all have our hang ups. Thanks

Even skinny young models have them. They all fade eventually with time without any special products.

Even athletes have stretch marks from puberty, increase in height and muscles. It's not something to be ashamed of.

Thanks both for your insight. I’ve shown to dd

if someone comments about her stretch marks the reply is 'did mummy teach you to be such a bitch?' or similar.

or just punch or push in the water... no, not really. But people who make rude remarks about appearance do need to learn not to do it.

I was very skinny that age but decided to have growth spurt growing tall. The stretch marks are on the back of my knees and have some on my hips as my body decided to grow sideways and take a curvy shape as well. I've tried everything but bio oil helped turning that horrible purple colour to a thin white/silver line which is not noticeable.

Even models have stretch marks it just happens. You can massage, use oils etc but it unfortunately doesn't prevent them. I've been very lucky with my pregnancy and have no stretch marks despite putting on a lot of weight. I think before falling pregnant I was constantly working out and had toned stomach muscles which may of helped or have taken after my mum which she never had stretch marks as well when pregnant with 3. Your DD works out, exercise is good and drinks a lot water which will help but everyone has it from models to TV stars it's just photoshopped and we don't see it. It's the same thing with cellulites, everyone has it.

If she googles 'models with stretch marks' she'll be able to see just how common it is to get them... there has been a few clothing companies over the past few years who have stopped airbrushing them out thankfully

I also got them as a skinny teenager on the backs of my knees from growing taller and my mum took me to the GP too which made it worse. They are so very normal please do try your best to play them down and maybe let her have a look at this thread so she can see for herself how normal they are! I put make up on mine for a few weeks which probably looked horrendous but it made me feel better at the time. Could you look into waterproof foundation if you think this may help her feel more confident? Agree with PP time will sort them and in the mean time plenty of moisturising will help a little.

Parent of two competitive teen swimmers here. DS15 has grown so tall in the last year and his back is covered in stretch marks as are many of his swim friends. They couldn't care less despite me buying creams etc! Get your DD to discretely check the boys backs when next in the pool for reassurance. Dd14 is more bothered by stretch marks and so far Vit E cream has helped with minimising their appearance. HTH as so mean of nature to do this to teens!