Stretch marks - will they ever go away?

[TigH]

This might be a very silly question. Ha!

However, I have stretch marks from all the gaining I have done in my life! Will they ever go away (if I maintain this smaller body) or will they be there FOREVER? I am really hoping they disappear!

Anyone know - will my skin repair itself?

 

[Luvinit]

Karen...I know what you mean...I have some really nasty ones from my adorable little children!!! The more I lose the "nastier they look.

I have them on my belly and after 7 years..they are still there. When I tan them in the tanning bed (my gut hasn't seen real sunlight in 10 years..lol) they seem to fade a little, but the Dr. said that I would be a perfect candidate for laser surgery. I forget what he said they are called...something about the way my body scars. It leaves a nasty mark.

 

[bliss4us]

Ooh, not a silly question at all!

TigH, I thought I was the only one who had them from something other than babies. I was a late bloomer - grew 8 inches and put on 50 (needed) pounds in four years of high school. The downside? Stretch marks that, so far, haven't showed any signs of disappearing. Not worse, not better, just there.

I've never asked anyone if they'd go away - figured they were mine for life. So I'd be interested too if anyone has any info on whether skin can repair itself.

Luvinit, I SO wish I could tan and make them blend in a little, but I learned a long time ago that putting me in the sun is like trying to toast a marshmallow with a stick of dynamite Blame it on my Irish heritage!

Daisy

 

[sln88]

I got stretch marks on my breasts when I developed very quickly at the age of 13
at the age of 41 they are stil there. They have faded, but they are there

 

[TigH]

Oh no! This is not looking too promising! Yikes!

Laser surgery, eh? I wonder if the doctor would let me hold the laser gun while we erase your stretch marks, Tracy...mu ha ha!

Rats, I was hoping they would go away, even if it took 10 years or something. I guess I will just have to live with them. Pooh.

 

[elisebutt]

Thats one nasty side effect I've just noticed - and they're everywhere!!! - Boobs, bum, arms, legs - I seem to be developing silver lines all over the place.

I go for the cover them up method - you can get some really nice body moisturisers with gold shimmery stuff and it sort of blends the marks away(nearly)

 

[lmhall2000]

Having lost 90 pounds and kept if off for over 8 years- I can say that my stretch marks did fade very well- they usually show up more if you tan them because the part of skin that is stretched has less melanin than your regular skin so your regular skin might get darker but the stretch marks won't get nearly as dark.
And the funny thing is that I didn't get any more when i put the weight back on with my 3 children- even though I weighed more! Go figure. But I do have cottage cheese thighs that will probably never firm up- and I'm okay with that as long as I can squeeze them in jeans and cover them up!
I never used any creams on mine and they still faded- but it took about 3-4 years for them to fade to where I could barely notice them! So keep up the good work and know that noone will notice them as much as you do! BE PROUD of that GOAL BODY!!!
Tara

 

[MelanieC]

When I was younger and in 6th/7th grade, my breasts grew very quickly. Because of this I got stretch marks on them. Once I was a little older I put vitamin E oil on them. I would open the pills and put the oil on them. I think you can also get oil in a jar or small botle too. This made a huge difference, and while they are still there if I look hard, they look so much better and lost that purpleish-silverish tint.

I too have them on my belly, hips, upper part of my legs and my calfs. I really hope that when I loose all this weight they shrink and fade. They are ugly. It doesn't stop me from wearing shorts though.

Melanie

 

[perfectmatch300]

I was hoping that when I lose that mine would go away. Guess it doesn't look too likely, huh? Oh well, guess my hopes of looking like I did when I was 20 & could wear a bikini are not going to happen!
I'll be really happy just to feel healthy & look thinner!

 

[cart-mom]

Did you know that the severity of your stretch marks can increase if you have darker hair? My OB told me that when I asked him about my stretch marks. He said fair hair or blonds (natural) have less noticible marks. Darker hair = darker marks.

I just figure my belly will never, ever see the light of day after 4 kids that were all over 9lbs.

Has anyone ever had the laser treatment or know anyone who has? Does it really work??

 

[bicker]

Originally posted by perfectmatch300
I'll be really happy just to feel healthy & look thinner!

And you'll find how little the stretch marks matter once that's the case...

 

[TigH]

Originally posted by bicker
And you'll find how little the stretch marks matter once that's the case...

Unless you are vain and shallow, like me!

 

[bicker]

Heck! I've developed vanity like-you-wouldn't-believe since I've lost weight, and the stretch marks don't bother me one bit as I'm caressing my pumped, newly grown muscles.

 

[glo]

I have my stretch marks and I asked the Dr. about the and all the extra skin. He said I was not a candidate for the laser surgery because of how big they were and the color they are. I guess for laser(if I understood right) you have to get them early. He also said only way to get the excess skin, and boy do I have some, to go away is a tummy tuck. I am bummed cuz tummy tuck is 4K won't be getting that anytime soon, and not a candidate for the laser....

Sorry it isn't better news TIGH.

 

[Debbie]

I don't expect to ever get back to and look the same as when I was young, single and first started teaching. I'm satisfied to be old(er), healthier and ready for the second half of my life.

You know, in the grand scheme of life, stretch marks (and even tummies) don't matter. I take them with pride-5 kids worth! and with the pride of having lost any weight in the first place.

Oh, and for all your young 'uns out there---there will come a time when it won't matter because you can't see them anyway!

 

[ahutton]

I'm also worried about stretch marks (on my tummy from having the girls) and extra skin. I sprung back pretty well after DD1 but after DD2 the skin and marks are much less resiliant. I know in my heart the only thing that will really work will be a tuck, we'll have to see how brave I get when I finally reach my goal. I have a long way to go, so I have a lot of time to build up some courage.

Daisy - the marshmallow with dynamite made me laugh out loud - I'm EXACTLY the same!

 

[lexiluke]

You'll have to get it from a doctor, but Retin-A is supposed to significantly help with stretch marks.