Stretch Marks!!

Updated on August 12, 2008
A.M. asks from Jenkintown, PA
11 answers

Hello,
I had my first baby 3 1/2 months ago and got a bunch of little stretch marks on my belly. Does anyone know if it is OK for them to be in the sun? Does it make them better or worse? I am dying to get a tan, but will not risk making them more noticable.

Thanks

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C.H.

answers from Philadelphia on

I can't give you advice for tanning but to help get rid of stretch marks coca butter is suggested. I used a brand called Promise they make Shea & Coca butter soaps and lotions. You can find them at any Sally Beauty Supply. I found that using both the soap and lotion did wonders. Good luck!

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C.H.

answers from Sharon on

i am with AVON and they have this really awesome stretch mark cream that really works, I*f you like to know more,Please email me or give me a call:
C. h
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www.youravon.com/cheller

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L.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

I've found that stretch marks get worse in the sun. The marks are actually little scars, and the skin is very sensitive to sun damage.
Back in August I had a breast reduction, and the scars were substantial. My surgeon recommended Mederma for the scars, and I can't tell you how effective that was! I'm incredibly impressed with the results. Today, a good portion of the scars are very faint to almost invisible. (In the first month or so, I looked like Frankenstein!) I used the Mederma religiously. I'm 45, and my skin is not as lovely and elastic as it was when I was younger, so I'm swearing by the Mederma. My surgeon says that he's going to make me his "poster patient" because my results were so good!
It's very pricey stuff, but a little goes a very long way. It also has a distinctive aroma, but that does fade after a bit. You might want to give it a try. I ordered my supply from Drugstore.com, since there always seems to be some sort of online coupons or discounts there. I know a few people who've used it on stretch marks and have had very good results, even when first using it several years after having their babies.

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F.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

The previous post was right about putting sunblock on your stretchmarks. Every time I've gone in the sun and not put on the sunblock the marks turn beet red. If I tan with it they do look kinda like stripes.
Here's a good way to take care of that though. You can try the mederma or go to your local drugstore and get some lotion with vitamin K in it (good for scars and varicose vains) or coco butter (I actually get decented natural coco butter online cause I hate the smell). Use some kind of product on them though and keep using it, they will eventually become much less noticable.
Use a q-tip to apply sunblock to your stretchmarks first, let it soak in for a few minutes, then use the sunblock on the rest of you.
Once you have some color, go get some self tanner, dip a q-tip in it and apply it that way to your stretchmarks. Blend the stuff a little bit and your stretchmarks shouldn't be noticable at all

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S.L.

answers from Philadelphia on

little your lucky but I wold not recomend sitting out in the sun unless you like looking like a zebra stick to the arms and leg tan but keep the stretch marks covered not only do they burn worse then rest of you would when you finally turn tan they stay white as a ghost giveing you a zebra stripe I know I have stretch marks from the top of my pubic hair all the way to the underside of my breast and I have a belt going all the way around my hips unfortunatly the stuff they make to help prevent bad stretch marks the coco butter i'm allergic to

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M.R.

answers from Philadelphia on

First, and I'm sure you know this, tans are BAD for you. And yes, most of the other posters are right, stretch marks don't tan, they will just look whiter next to the rest of your tan skin. Self-tanner, on the other hand, will help blend them in. Maybe you could try one of those gradual tanner products (Natural Glow, etc).

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A.R.

answers from Philadelphia on

I always felt like a tan made my stretch marks less noticeable, BUT it is bad for anyone to tan, so don't listen to me :)

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N.M.

answers from Lancaster on

I have tons of stretch marks. I didn't get them tan for a couple of years and now I tan in the tanning beds. I think it makes them look better...BUT I know strech marks are scars and they should stay out of the sun for ar least a year. If you really want a tan use sunblock on them or cover them up. Chances are if you have stretch marks you won't be wearing a bikini anyway.

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H.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I have very fair skin which doesn't really tan - just goes straight to burn so I've never tested it out, but stretch marks are like little scars so I'd guess that tanning wouldn't do anything to help. You might try some tanning lotions instead that would cause less additional strain to your skin.

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H.M.

answers from Lancaster on

Hello, I know from expierence my stretch marks look bright white when I have a tan. It makes them appear worse than what they really are, especially when I went to the tanning bed.
So beware. Also I would love more info on the stay at home business

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H.B.

answers from Pittsburgh on

We all know tanning is bad,But i love it and it makes me feel&look better. i had 4 kids and i might have got a handful of stretch marks i put coco butter on before i go and mine seem to look more faded and after time they do tend to get smaller.My girlfriend had her first baby and she got nasty looking purple stretch marks and oh so many of them. she started tanning last week and they look so much better.

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