We can put a man on the moon but we can't remedy stretch marks?

I have a new crop and it sucks! I'm about 4 months out from getting banded so I'm trying not to diet them away at this point. (If that is even possible). They are on my lower belly and only on one side. (?) They are dark purple and itchy and I "check" them several times a day. As in "are there more?" "Are they worse or better now?" "Are they getting bigger?"

Is there anything I can do? I have some generic Renova (like Retin-A) and I've been putting that on them.

I have them on my arms, thighs, boobs, hips, butt, etc...but those are all clear/white now so I don't care. But these new ones are so bad! I've never even had kids and they are on my belly like a full-on prego lady!

Should I try to lose some weight? That seems so dumb at this point. I mean, I'm not on a crazy binge or anything.

Any ideas? Can I slow them down? ANYTHING?

I dunno. When I got pregnant with my first kid I was about 125 lbs. When I delivered I was 200. Good skin elasticity does NOT run in my family. I remember seeing the big red stretch marks making their way up my stomach - then they brought their friends. My stomach looks like a road map. Arggghhh! I heard strivectin is good - of course this was an infomercial - so would they really say it was bad??? I bought some at 90 something a tube and it has maybe helped a little - although I don't use it all the time. Cocoa butter is supposed to be good, too. I know that sucks... if your stomach doesn't stretch any more, then maybe they'll cease and desist.

Honestly, I'm not sure there is anything that helps stretch marks...Mine aren't too bad (from pregnancy). If anyone knows any solutions, though, I'd be interested.

Cindy

I SWEAR by Cocoa butter in the morning and Vit E pure oil at night. If you do it religiously you should notice a difference within a month. A friend of mine tried it by my suggestion and viola, they started to go away, not so noticable. I have done this regimin since I was in high school and I have gained and lost a bunch of times, and given birth.... and not much to holler about here.

Unfortunately, stretch marks are from both gaining AND losing quickly.

Interesting... I didn't know that you could get stretch marks losing weight. I'm not sure where you're at in your weight loss tvgrrl, but if you have more weight to lose don't let the appearance of stretch marks take you off course. I just bought a tube of Mederma for scars and stretch marks so it's too soon for me to give an opinion on it's effectiveness. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

the only thing i can tell u is that over time the redness will fade to a color that is white and "less noticible" then the red ones. of course they will always be noticable and probably look 'horrible' to u... but they really will start to look better.

I rememeber the first ones i ever got on my stomach when i was 19! I cried soooooo hard...really u would have thought something really horrible happened to me! It was one of the most shocking and painful 'realisations' i have ever been thru in my weight gain/loss journey. I couldnt beleive it was happening to me!!!! I thought WHYY IS GOD PUNISHING ME...first im FAT thhhhennn to top it off I HAVE STRECH MARKS. I was sooo mad!!! lol I too went thru EVERY possible creme and remedy on the planet. Keeping ur skin mosturized does help...so try and do it everyday.

I used to look at them in disgust (sometimes i still do if im having a bad day)...but most times i think of them as battle scars...a reminder of what used to be and what is now. They never look pretty but i dont let them stop me from feeling good about myself.

A sudden appearance of stretch marks can be a sign of Cushing's, espically if you are getting them when you are not putting on a sudden burst of weight

Mederma for Scars says on the package insert if you use their product while the stretch marks are still fresh or red, the product will help. The product will not help if the stretch marks are old or silver. Good luck.

A former boyfriend pointed out my first stretch marks. They were red and on my the lower part of my belly (I couldn't see them, that should have been a wake up call) and he ask if my cat had scratched me. I was very casual about it but after he left I cried and beat myself up over it. I still do.