[Michele86]

So, when is a good time to start treating or preventing future stretch marks? And, what's best to use?

Last night, I was looking at my belly in the mirrior and noticed some light almost white or translucent stretch marks on my belly & hips! What do I treat these bad boys with? HELP!

[junie22]

I've been using a combination of Bio-Oil and cocoa butter body butter for about a month now. I wasn't showing or anything when I started using it, but I just wanted to start as soon as possible. I really like this combo. Unfortunately, I do believe stretch marks are just a genetic thing and there's not much we can do to prevent them. Of course, lathering up the skin certainly doesn't hurt anything.

[acchickpea]

I started using Palmer's Cocoa Butter lotion from the day i found out I was preggo..... It's never too late to use it... I would start now because it also helps relieve any itching on the tummy while it starts to grow....
I also use Bio Oil but not as much as Palmers.....

[Mountain~Mama]

this Special Thoughts / I love my stretch marks. (No, that wasn't my belly.)

I've used Palmer's Tummy Butter with all my pregnancies and I have some nice Tiger Stripes. I don't care though I earned them bad boys. The Tummy Butter just feels good and takes the itchy, stretching feeling away.

[K.A.T]

I've been using natural shea butter for a few months now. IMO, it's never too early to start the lotion and try to prevent the marks. May I also suggest that when you get itchy, do not scratch but rub instead. Scratching can lead to marks.

[magz88]

Luckily, I already have stretch marks from when I was younger and I am cool with them - I am just making sure that I stay well hydrated.

Great - so our stomachs get itchy as they grow? Sigh.

[Lady Valkyrie]

My stomach gets itchy at least once a week at the moment lol! I've been using Palmer's cocoa butter massage lotion for weeks - if I were you, I'd get one of the products suggested asap and start - they're probably all as good as one another.

[NewMama22]

Ive already started using cocoa butter..my stomach itches everyday! :\

[K.A.T]

I'm itchy multiple times a day, it sucks.

[Corrupt]

I too had had stretch marks from puberty. Also, I figured I have plenty of scars from my other adventures in life so what are a few more keepsakes?
Some people are prone, some aren't. It's really not a big deal. Just a heads up, I remember reading somewhere that once they turn silver, they're yours.

[one.juniper]

I use a vitamin E cream, one that actually indicates the IU on it. Even if it doesn't end up helping with stretch marks my skin is so supple and moisturized that its worth it. I'm pretty sure that I haven't had any itchy skin because of that as well.

[babygreenes.mommy]

will any brand cocoa butter work? i'm not as worried about getting them as i am just trying to make them less noticable.

[~~Que~~]

Be sure to treat your stretchmarks from the inside out: drink lots of water, eat a balanced diet, plenty of omega 3's, use creams with cocoa butter (some people don't like Palmer's because it contains parabens, but you can find paraben free cocoa butter remedies at natural food markets), vitamin e, and wheat germ oil. Grapeseed oil and almond oil have been known to be beneficial too.

My personal experience:
I did everything right. I lotioned my belly to the core. I drank gallons of water and ate well. Ultimately, once I hit 35-37 weeks, I started out with a few small stretch marks that multiplied every day. I stayed pregnant until 41 weeks and a few days that time. My tummy was a road map. I was hoping it wouldn't happen, but in all reality, I got stretch marks on my boobs and hips when I hit puberty- I knew it was VERY likely to happen, just because of my history with them.

[ghink]

I am using the bio-oil cocoa butter combo too. I figure I will do what I can to prevent them, but if I get them it is okay. It comes with the territory.

[babygreenes.mommy]

well, i don't mind getting them. they're just from the baby growing. but at the same time, i'd like to at least do something to help with the redness/pink that they become. the stretch marks i have now from my weight, are more of a white/silver. they don't bother me.

[AllyssaM]

Any time - But if you're going to get them, nothing will prevent that. If your mother got them - So will you. What the lotions, creams, oils, ect will do is help "tame" them, so it say. I put coconut oil on my belly, sides and breast every now and then.

[MosaicWife]

Yeah I agree that it's genetics. With my so I used Palmers faithfully twice a day and didn't get them. With my daughter I used nothing and didn't get them. Then I read it was a genetic thing and asked my Nan if she got them, nope. My mom did but she gained 70lbs with me and even then her stretchmarks weren't that bad.

[see_jay_elle]

I have moles that are stretching and itch like crazy! I've been using cocoa butter for a few weeks, and every other day I also use a collagen + elastin lotion to help with elasticity. Will it all work? Who knows! I hope I'm lucky like my mom & don't get extra ones this time around! All of hers are from her pregnancy with me. Go figure