My dilemma with stretch marks
I’m sure you all have your stretch mark stories and so do I. I have stretch marks and I hate them just as most of you hate yours.
I’ve had stretch marks on my breast for over 10 years now and it’s aggravating as sh*t! They don’t look as bad as I try to make them out to be but I’m still very annoyed by their existence. Maybe if they weren’t on my breast and maybe on my butt or back I wouldn’t be so disgusted by them. But the fact that I have to look at them every day is not what’s up. I’ve tried all types of fade creams and it hasn’t change the appearance at all. Also, since I’ve been trying to lose weight/fat, they look even more noticeable than before.
My sister told me about an episode on Oprah where they talked about a stretch mark crème called Striae. So I spoke to my dermatologist about it and he agreed that it was great for stretch marks BUT ONLY with 4-6 sessions of Microdermabrasion which could easily cost between $100- $150 per session. In my opinion, that’s a small price to pay if I could be almost stretch mark free. I say “almost” because most things in life are never 100%.
I purchased the Striae back in December 2009 which only cost $25 for an 8 oz tube. I decided to use it a few months before I start the Microdermabrasion treatments hoping that maybe they would just diminish without me having to pay that $100 – $150 per treatment. I used it as directed, once in the morning and once at night. The tube say results should be apparent in 4-6 weeks but I haven’t see any results at all (I’ve been using it for about 2 months). So now, I guess I’ll use it in conjunction with the Microdermabrasion and see what happens. I’ll scout out a location in Maryland or D.C. since the procedure is more recognized there than in South Carolina (and probably cheaper). I will keep y’all updated on the results. I’ll try to stay optimistic but that’s easier said than done.
If any of you would like to share your frustration with stretch marks or even your solution to getting rid of them, please do. Like always, I would love to hear your story.
Tags: stretch marks
July 11th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
I have stretch marks in the worst possible way. They’re on my arms and shoulders which means that I can’t wear ANYTHING sleeveless or strapless. So please, when you think you stuff situation is bad wait until you hear the next persons.
Naturally, I have tried everything known to man to get rid of them. I’ve even tried the cream you just mention, I’ve tried Retin A, I’ve tried acid pills, and my most recent venture has ben “needling.” Needling has shown a small improvement, but it’s a very messy situation. It create a very nasty itchy rash situation and I’m still trying to figure out if it’s working. I’ve only been doing it for 3 weeks. The last time the rash was so awful that I vowed to never do it again, but I think I do see a small bit of improvment. I’ve also tried bio oil as well.
Anyway consider yourself lucky. I like to think that I’m kind of a bad chick, but these stretch marks just ruin everything. Sometimes I feel like dying.
June 25th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
hey buffie, stretch marks are below your dermis which is y it is hard for any creams or anthing to work espicially on older stretch marks….you can find microdermabrasion treatments to do at home or you mix pure vitamin e a very rough and thick facial scrub mixed with cocoa butter or something with these ingredients and scrub this on your stretch marks with a and exfoliating poof or gloves until it feels tingly then rinse it off an apply any stretch mark cream that worked for me and my marks were baaaadddd on my stomach breast and sides they are all gone now so just as long as u can scrub that area then apply a stretch mark cream you will see results
May 8th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Hello; I just finished your autobiography and found it honest and real; For me, shea butter works; it takes some time but then again it took time for the stretch marks to get to you too.
April 28th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Im 23 and had my 1st child at 21. The stretch marks on my stomach didnt appear unitl i was like 7 mths n they were so drk it was scary. After I had him they lightened up but theree is still so many of them. I’ve tried cocoa butter with negative ruslts but Im gonna try one more thing which is 100% pure hydrogen oxygen. My mom is a health freak and uses it for everything. Its a natural lightner so I’ll keep u guys updated.
April 15th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
I found raw african shea butter (can be found at the beauty supply store) does work. I’m a mother of two babies. I ordered Celtrixa from a commercial I kept seeing and it does NOT work don’t even get swept into the free trial. Liquid Vitamin E (Walmart) also works wonders too especially in conjunction with the shea butter. If you slather all of that on you’ll be really shiny and sticky but will have smooth beautiful skin.
March 15th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
I’ve had stretch marks for as long as I can remember. I’ve been losing weight and they are becoming really defined know and I’m realizing I had them places that I didn’t notice before. StriVectin has been on my radar for years so I’ll give it try. Love your site Buffy!
March 13th, 2010 at 11:22 am
@PlatinumCharisma–I’m glad you posted that. I’ve been thinking about trying Strivectin. It is a little expensive. I’m gonna give it a try though. I hate that skin above my belly button. ughhh! I’ll try the Olay cream too. I’m losing the weight I want to, and I also want to get rid of the stretch marks too. Thanks for your posts Buffy!
March 6th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Buffy, I’ve been using StiVectin, and it has worked well on my stretch marks. I have them on my stomach from pregnancy, and it flattened my skin dramatically. After I lost most of my belly fat, I didn’t have the wrinkle of skin around my belly button anymore. I’ve just started using an OTC microdermabrasion from Olay, and the texture of my skin has started to change and become smoother. StriVectin was a bit of a splurge, but the results are worth it for me!
Good luck with your treatments!
February 28th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Buff, you need to put this whole routine on dvd.
February 25th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I heard real raw shea butter works. I mean REAL lol not the processed kind.