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Rose (PA) on 03/01/2004
5 out of 5 stars

When I first found out I was pregnant I started using pure almond, olive and vitamin E oils I got from the vitamin store. I use it twice a day everyday. I'm 8 months pregnant and I HAVE NO STRETCH MARKS. I also drink a pregnancy tea (1 tbsp ACV, 1 tbsp blackstrap molasses and 1/2 tsp honey with 8oz glass of warm spring water) first thing in the morning. This does wonders for energy, constipation and clears up your complexion and addition helps to stabilize your blood pressure (also your should stay away from hidden sodium foods). God is good. I just love this website. It is very helpful and informative. God Bless

Replied By Macmommy (Memphis, Tn) on 05/16/2011

i tried the vitamin e oil and id stab the capsules with a saftey pin and rub it on my belly before and after I had my baby and it didnt do anything for me.

Replied By Katie (Prescott, Az) on 05/28/2011

Stretch marks are genetic. If you are genetically predisposed to stretch marks, you can rub everything under the sun and it won't matter. They will show up.

It's a complete bummer, but it's the truth.

Thos of you who rub oils on your belly all pregnancy and "it worked" were not going to get them anyway. Besides, there's no control version of you who didn't use the oil.

Signed, Bitter Stretchmark Bearer

Replied By Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 05/28/2011

Hi Bitter Stretchmark Bearer,

With due respect, I beg to differ w/ you. First, I hesitate when people make blanket statements that we have no recourse for action due to the fact that "it's genetic". Dr. Gabriel Cousens likened it this way, "Our genetics are like a cocked gun but what we do is what pulls the trigger. " I have to agree w/ that. I believe there are too many factors involved that can change our course in life itself let alone our "genetics".

In regards to this subject, my mom had stretch marks on her body that looked like a road map. She was a woman who was never deterred by feeling "less than" and always wore her two piece bathing suits proudly! I envied her but at the same time dreaded that I would see the same fate. Well, I have no stretch marks and in each pregnancy I diligently slathered my belly and hips and thighs w/ coconut oil/ butter. Now I am not going to say this is the sole reason I did not see the same fate because I have always had an extremely good diet and became aware of dietary health at 19 when I read "Sugar Blues" which had a profound impact on me.

I have 5 children that I bore and gave birth naturally to whom are all healthy and grown now. So, please everyone, never believe that fate has cast the final say...

Replied By Debbie (Melbourne, Australia) on 05/28/2011

No..... Stretchmarks are a sign you have a zinc deficiency.

http://www.a-to-z-wellness.com/zinc/The_Effects_of_Zinc_Deficiency_on_Human_Health.htm

Replied By Anne (Raleigh, Nc) on 07/09/2011

To: Macmommy from Memphis

In regards to your comment about your mother's genes and how she had stretch marks and you did not. I would like to point out a very SIMPLE fact.... Not all of your genes come from your mother (think grand parents, great unlces and so forth plus some genes are recesive and some are not). So you may just be one of those lucky people who happen to have good skin and therefore aren't really affected by the stretch mark issue. And even though you applied all those ointments on your skin, they only worked to maintain what was already in really good condition.

I have a baby boy and I applied vitamin E oils with shea butter and coconut oils on my body at breakfast, lunch and dinner during and after pregnancy. (I was 5'2' and weighted 115lbs before pregancy and I gained 25lbs during pregnancy... Dramatic change! ) I got stretch marks like a road map. My mother and sister, who is also a mother, don't have stretch marks. The one thing I will say that trully worked to "reduce" the stretch marks after birth is the fact that I got my six pack back - this reduced their size slightly.

The one TRUE cure to completely get the scars out is to wait for them to fade (even with this, they never ever really fade away). Or you could do like the super models and get some plastic surgeon to work on you (also takes time and LOTS of money).

Anne from Raleigh

Replied By Next Nurse Of America (Mattoon, Il) on 08/03/2011

Stretch marks are not caused by any one thing. Genetics play a role; however overall health, the rate of growth/loss, and supplements all have an effect. Some people are more genetically predisposed to have stretch marks, but say you gain a lot of weight, very quickly (puberty, pregnancy, just general weight gain due to a poor lifestyle) and yet are not at risk genetically to get the scars you could still get them. Even if you are not over weight, in fact, it could be a man (I say this because I know a man this happened to) but if you work out a lot and build muscle too quickly, even that can cause stretch marks. The skin is very flexible, elastic and can take quite the beating, but just like a rubber band, you can only stretch it so far, for so long and so quickly before it is permanently damaged. The only difference is your skin is alive and can heal over time... A long time, but heals none the less. Also, pregnancy robs your body of its nutrient stores leaving the skin more likely to over stretch and be unable to compensate. That is where butters and oils come in; they are to enforce your skin, in a way. They "feed" your skin vitamins and oils that it greatly needs to be highly pliable, or to at least somewhat. Like I said there is more than one factor in place. My mother and sister both have them after having kids, I have not had any yet, but I do have some marks on my hips and inner thighs because puberty hit me like a ton of bricks and then I lost all the weight over my teen years. This left me with some ugly scars but exercising (lightly, mostly cardio and other non-muscle-building exercises such as yoga and Pilates) along with time and a healthy diet and keeping my skin moisturized, I have seen them begin to fade over the years. Just work against those risk factors as much as possible and your CHANCE (keyword ladies) of getting them will be reduced. Just think of them as any other ailment. There are only risk factors, not much is set in stone with the human body.

Hope this was enlightening for everyone! God bless!

Replied By Amy (Boise, Idaho,usa) on 11/17/2011

I used Shea Butter when I was pregnant with my second child on a reccomendation of a friend and it worked great for me! I started before I started to show and I swear this stuff keeps your skin so moist and supple the stretch marks had no chance to form. Found some great organic shea butter at www.sheaworld.com and I now swear by the stuff. Use as a daily moisturizer and nothing I've bought in the stores works better. Good Luck!

Amy

Boise, Idaho

Replied By Maria Y (NY) on 02/20/2012

Let me start off by saying I am in the medical field and have always been told that stretch marks are hereditary. My mother and sister both have stretch marks, but I wasn't going down without a fight, so after reading the reviews on the _____ organic skincare brand, I found the Aloe & Jojoba Cream Therapy and I ordered it online.

I used it throughout my entire pregnancy... EVERY morning and EVERY night. I started using it at about 8 weeks pregnant. I am so happy to inform anyone who is in doubt of this product that I did not get 1 stretch mark!!!! I was so surprised considering that my mother and sister both have them. For those who are wondering, I carried my baby for 37 4/7 weeks with not one stretchie! If you use the product it WILL work!!!

Replied By Melissa (Anaheim, Ca) on 09/14/2012

I have two beautiful children and like all mothers to be I did it all. The baby oil in the bath tub/with shower. The coco butter. The vit E. sadly not only did I get stretch marks, but I skin ripped. And as I was laying in the hospital bed waiting for my daughter to arrive. The woman accross the room was up moving around. I seen her belly. Not one stretch mark. The kicker to this. She has a two yr old little boy and was prag with triplet girls. Sooo I will have to go with its genetics. But all you wonderful woman out there I still say use the different items out the to keep stretch marks under control.

Replied By Amanda (Cairo, Egypt) on 10/27/2012

Hi, Thanks for putting in the link about zinc and stretchmarks. I have had them from age 12 all over my thighs and then from about 20 my torso. It fits my profile [vegetarian, high cholesterol, IBS, drinks alcohol, lots of cellulite :-(] and I haven't had any kids so its nothing to do with hormones.

Anyway in the advice it says that copper prevents the absorbtion of zinc. I also fit the profile of someone with insufficient copper (grey hair since about 25, now quite white at 46). Thanks to this site I am trying ALL the remedies to lower cholesterol, remove xanthewhatsits above my eye, detoxing with ACV, baking soda, citrus fruit, carrot juice, garlic, sprouting seeds, green tea, linseeds, armfuls of vitamins, kelp, lecithin, nutritional yeast, brown rice, oil pulling etc. Going through a phase of skin eruptions (is that roseacia?) which I hope are a temporary reaction to this blast of health and not just another new problem.

I have (almost) stopped bread, reduced alcohol to 3 - 4 units a week, one coffee a day, soya milk, no cheese, no yoghurt, no fun. I jog 3 - 4 times a week.

I am also trying to eat molasses (copper) - can't get blackstrap in Egypt - to recover pigment in my hair and hope that this wont interfere with the zinc supplements I am taking.

So my questions are: How long is all this (xanthething reduction, cellulite/weight loss, grey hair, stretch marks) going to take? Ball-park

and Any ideas about the zinc-copper conundrum? Thanks in advance for any feedback

Replied By Timh (Louisville, Ky) on 10/28/2012

Amanda: as for the Zinc/Copper relationship, they don't "compete" against each other any more than a man & woman, they are simply bi-polar. They need Balance to function together. Zinc/Copper function together to make a major defense enzyme in the body called Zn/Co Superoxide Dismutase.

Replied By Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 10/28/2012

*correction*

Zn/Cu Superoxide Dismutase.

I can't say as to proper ratio, but I usually take 3mg Cu w/ 100mg Zn.

Replied By Amanda (Cairo) on 10/30/2012

Thanks - I'll keep on both supps then.

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