Stretch Marks!!

[Guest]

If anyone is feeling suicidal over their marks, please just speak to someone, a friend, your doctor. Please start a routine too because it will empower you to feel you are doing something about them, try to focus on that as much as you can.

And remember, there may be a cure just around the corner so there is always always hope.

Never just give up.

J

[hatestretchmarks11]

Okay, I just have to post because it PISSES ME OFF when someone says something as stupid as "stretch marks make me suicidal". GET OVER IT! I am 23 and I have had horrible stretch marks (bum, thighs, calves, arms, breasts, sides of stomach) since I was 11. I literally am pretty much covered in them and I have been for a long time. Of course I hate them but I could have a lot bigger problems.

Stretch marks make you suicidal? SERIOUSLY? That is probably one of the most retarded things I have ever heard. Look at what is happening around the world and think about what kind of problems people have. Im not making light of the feelings associated with stretch marks, because trust me, I know how hard and discouraging it can be. But there is more to life than worrying about your skin. I suggest you get started on a routine to improve them and dont ever say anything that stupid again!

I think that the above is a particularly unhelpful and unsympathetic response. I'm glad for you that your stretch marks have a relatively limited effect on your emotional state. It doesn't have the same effect on everybody else's. Everybody is different and certain kinds of things will be more disturbing to any given person than others. What exactly do you hope to achieve by calling this person's view 'retarded'? Such name-calling is both immature and utterly unproductive. I can't help thinking that you're so aggressive because you're battling with a similarly depressive outlook yourself? It's still inexcusable.

As for the 'evils of the world' line of thought, if any of us really meditated on the crap that does indeed go on in the world, then we'd all have been swinging from trees a long time ago. We're all to some extent lost in our own little worlds, and it might be nice if people like yourself could be more tolerant of where others are weaker than you, just as, I'm sure, those around you have to tolerate your own weakenesses (e.g. belligerence and lack of sympathy)

Very, very well said!! You took the words right out of my mouth!!!

And I totally agree on the "evils of the world" line of thought. If we were all there, people in general wouldn't make my stomach turn lol What with their selfishness, egos, "I am better than you" and typical rude behavior...and such. Life would be a better place and many things would not exist including this forum!

Ok, not starting to start a fight but people who go through crap and/or feel like crap, and other people saying, "look at the starving children in Africa!!!" always makes me mad. Then do us all, and the African children, a favor and gooo to Africa.

Now feeling suicidal is not a good thing and I am not condoning or making light of the original poster's situation. I still think that he or she should def. seek help for that. There are some people who lie about being suicidal to garner attention and whatnot, but there are others who really need to seek medical attention and are crying out for help. I hope to never hear retarded stuff from people who supposedly care of other's wellbeing aside from their own again.

[cr]

If anyone is feeling suicidal over their marks, please just speak to someone, a friend, your doctor. Please start a routine too because it will empower you to feel you are doing something about them, try to focus on that as much as you can.

And remember, there may be a cure just around the corner so there is always always hope.

Never just give up.

J

Yes, definitely starting a routine will empower you and the situation, as J said. I have spent many years feeling so sad over my stretch marks, but now that I have an established routine, I feel like I have control over something that took my control away from me. Not only do I psychologically feel like I have more power in my life with my stretch mark routine, I also see major improvement in my stretch marks, and skin all together. If you do not already have a routine, this forum has many helpful suggestions to pick and choose from. I wish you all the best, and with perserverance you CAN eliminate your stretch marks! Take care!
CR

[Guest]

ok two things,
i didnt read the post about someone feeling suicidal over it, but I can def understand. I have REALLY bad stretch marks, like ones that you dont usually see unless on pregnant women on my fore-arms. I have been denied jobs before because I couldnt wear the uniforms that went with them. I remember one perspective employer (a man) said "Jesus thats disgusting" when I showed him. So honey, until you've been there, I really dont think you have a right to comment. My stretch marks dont make me suicidal but if they did, I'd have DAMN good reason for it.
2nd thing. to the person who posted about beauty-tek, you are obviously a scammer and not even a very smart one, for someone who is trying to push a problem your english is questionable and your argument makes absolutely no sense.

[Mai]

hi all,
I am the one currently engaged in the carboxy therapy fiasco. I am due to have my 6th treatment in about a week. I will let you know how it works out (or most likely, does not).
I second the above post, I too have bad stretch marks and I really don't think its fair for you to judge how they make people feel. Also, btw, I am currently awaiting clearence to volunteer in the cyclone aftermath in Burma, and yes, my stretch marks still really bother me. So people can be depressed and still worry about their stretch marks while also worrying and actually doing something about (what are you doing btw) what is happening in the world.
and yeah, what is up with the beauty-tek poster? wierd.
Randomwords, you wrote a beautiful post and I commend you for being able to be as nice and as polite as I was not.

[lexy]

I have been looking at the posts for months so I decided to post that I will be taking the 28 day supplements. I can post pics so you can all determine whether or not they work. I am only hoping my marks will fade, since I have had them for 18 years (since 16 yrs old) and they are exactly the same purplish color they were when they first appeared. I wish you all luck in your routines. I have a trip to Honduras this summer so I know what you all feel. Also, you only get one life. Might as well wear whatever you want to wear (as long as it's in good taste) and not worry too much about marks showing. If most people have stretch marks, what could they possibly say to you?

[ace243]

i feel the same way, it sucks having stretchmarks & depression.because its not so easy to just get over. it hurts a lot,it makes me so jealous it ruins my life. i have a boyfriend & all i do is argue with him cause of my jealously, i feel that it would turn him on more to see a girl wearing a half shirt then me naked. i have them on my breasts,thighs,hips,stomach,back, but my stomach bothers me the most. if i didnt have the depression 2 it might be ok for me. and the comercials, movies, advertisements (like on the right of this page) & summer all you have to do is walk outside to see half shirts,bikinis ect. this world is all about looks, & sex. if i got rid of my stretchmarks i probley wouldnt wear half shirts & bikinis because i wouldnt want to hurt anyone who had them,but i would feel happy that i could if i wanted to & that i could wear a bikini for my boyfriend & not cry because i felt ugly.

enough venting lol, Everyone keep up the good work & keep trying, one of is bound to find something,, as soon as i get some $ saved im going to try the roller & creams, & ill let you know how that turns out.

[Guest]

I started to get stretch marks when I was about 14 or 15. They first came on my stomach as I put on alot of weight in a short space of time and I developed quite a large belly...

I then got them on my hips, thighs, breasts, lower back... then eventually on my triceps (right at the top near the armpit).

I had probably gained near on 3 stone in a short while. But I kept at that weight for a few years. Last year I went on a diet and managed to lose around 3 stones... but 6 months ago I fell off the wagon and I've managed to put back on that 3 stones. I've noticed the areas are getting sore where my current stretch marks are... I'd say mainly the ones on my triceps... and more my left arm.

Now I am guessing this is because I've put on a few stone in a short time and I am now getting new/more stretch marks because of it!

I am moisturising the skin, I also have retin-a prescribed by the doctor.

I am back on my diet and going back to the gym. I am hoping these "new" stretch marks will stop developing... and hopefully they will look less "noticeable" than what they do now.

I have alot of stretch marks, and they've been there for about 8 years now... I really do HATE them and they get me down alot... but in a way I have learnt to live with them. I just don't think I could handle getting new ones... I have enough already.

The ones on my stomach, legs... breasts etc I can hide. But the ones at the top/back of my arms are more difficult... unless I wear long sleeved clothes all the time.

Has anyone else experienced weight loss and then saw any kind of improvement in the way their stretch marks look?

[tpd]

Hi - I am 25 and have a whole load of depressed white marks around armpits, biceps, chest and thighs. The marks appeared about six years ago. I was working out intensly at the time and lost some weight just before that. I continue to work out and the marks keep getting bigger - although v slowly. I am not particularly bothered about whether the marks are visible, but would like to restore elasticity of the skin back to normal. I am thinking of giving active fx a go. It's not cheap, but I'd do it if it solves the problem. Any suggestions as to whether it is likely to be effective? I am currently using some generic anti stretch mark cream with retinol. It makes the marks appear less obvious under the normal light. However the marks don't appear to have deminished at all when viewed in a harsh light or if the skin is pulled. Wasn't expecting much anyway. I haven't tried anything else to tackle these. Anything else I should try before going for the laser? Thanks for any replies.

[Kojiro]

I started to get stretch marks when I was about 14 or 15. They first came on my stomach as I put on alot of weight in a short space of time and I developed quite a large belly...

I then got them on my hips, thighs, breasts, lower back... then eventually on my triceps (right at the top near the armpit).

I had probably gained near on 3 stone in a short while. But I kept at that weight for a few years. Last year I went on a diet and managed to lose around 3 stones... but 6 months ago I fell off the wagon and I've managed to put back on that 3 stones. I've noticed the areas are getting sore where my current stretch marks are... I'd say mainly the ones on my triceps... and more my left arm.

Now I am guessing this is because I've put on a few stone in a short time and I am now getting new/more stretch marks because of it!

I am moisturising the skin, I also have retin-a prescribed by the doctor.

I am back on my diet and going back to the gym. I am hoping these "new" stretch marks will stop developing... and hopefully they will look less "noticeable" than what they do now.

I have alot of stretch marks, and they've been there for about 8 years now... I really do HATE them and they get me down alot... but in a way I have learnt to live with them. I just don't think I could handle getting new ones... I have enough already.

The ones on my stomach, legs... breasts etc I can hide. But the ones at the top/back of my arms are more difficult... unless I wear long sleeved clothes all the time.

Has anyone else experienced weight loss and then saw any kind of improvement in the way their stretch marks look?

Some stretch marks look better after losing the weight. Some even claim their marks disappeared completely. Seems like its just something you have to try and see what happens.

[Guest]

Stretch marks and weight loss:

If you have an area of loose fat, such as the love handles on a man, and the skin shrinks down to the new contours after losing weight, then you're stretch marks will looks better. This happened to me after liposuction.

However, in most cases, losing weight means that the fibrous bands of scar tissue (ie the stretch marks) are no longer pulled as taut by the surrounding healthy skin and most often look worse with weight loss.

Weight loss will never make stretch marks disappear.

[Kojiro]

Weight loss will never make stretch marks disappear.

Just because it hasn't happened to you doesn't mean this is not possible. I've seen some of my bro's stretch marks fade away completely when he lost muscle mass. There's plenty of people out there who skin completely repairs stretch marks, but chances are if you're posting here, you're not one of them.

[Rez]

I agree with the guest. Perhaps the improvement in your brother's skin coincided with weight loss. However, I sincerely doubt that the weight loss itself was the cause of improvement. Most obese people notice their stretch marks for the very first time after losing weight, even thought they might have had them for years beforehand. Their stretch marks are no longer stretched as tightly and therefore look more obvious.

If you don't beleive me, try this experiment at home: Stand in a postion where your stretch marks are lit from the side (e.g. next to low lying window). Position a mirror directly in front of you. You will notice that the marks look particularly obvious and indented in this lighting. Now pull on the skin in a direction PERPENDICULAR to the length of the marks to simulate the effect of weight gain in the area. What happens? Your stretch marks should look significantly better and less indented.

[Bohemus]

Hello Guast,
I didn't mean to offend anyone at all. My point is rather simple. There are many claims made in this industry, "the most effective", "laboratory tested", "physician approved" etc. But what does it mean when all is not regulated? You can mix several substances in your bathroom and legally claim that it was laboratory tested. You can add some sunscreen to peanut oil and legally sell the mixture as the best "anti-wrinkle" cream. It is legal, at least in US.
The question is what really works, how do you establish the effectiveness of any cream or laser technique? Only by well designed study that you should review with a critical eye.
Do I have stretch marks? No. Do I care? Yes, I do. This is one of the most disappointing areas in aesthetic medicine that has been approached for some time without real success.
It is our hope that ActiveFX/Deep FX will make a significant difference. It is too early to say although the preliminary data suggest significant improvement. I have 6 patients treated with IPL immediately followed by Active FX with high frequency. There is a definite improvement yet the group is so small that the validity can not be claimed.
But, the design of these treatments is based on unquestionable effect of CO2 laser on collagen production in treated skin. The hope is to achieve this effect within a stretch mark.

Other laser treatments? So far no significant gains have been made.
Other treatments? I don't know of any that has an objective and measurable effect.

So, should you try other methods? Sure! Can you claim any of them to be effective? Of course you can. Does it work? That's a different story.

Best to All!

MD in TN

Well Johnny9, only time will show if needling is effective and becomes number one tretment for....who knows what.. It will not hurt you to keep rolling and sprinkling with potions but I suggest you add few drops of common sense.

MD from TN

Bohemus could you try and be a little more patronising next time. I find you extremely naive and arrogant and you continue to fail to understand the situation some of us are in here. If by common sense you mean go and blow disproportionate amounts of money at machines which dont deliver i believe you've been going to the wrong type of medical congresses my friend.

There are no cures. For this reason we have to do our own research and experiment. I found your last comment to johnny9 extremeley rude. What do you suggest we do? I did my first needling procedure 2 days ago using 1.5mm roller and i believe i have seen improvement from just this one treatment. Your comment about "common sense" is extremely patronising to all those on this forum performing needling. I would like you to share with us all on here what you think we should do, since were all so incompetent with our suggestions.

[Guest]

Hello Guast,
I didn't mean to offend anyone at all. My point is rather simple. There are many claims made in this industry, "the most effective", "laboratory tested", "physician approved" etc. But what does it mean when all is not regulated? You can mix several substances in your bathroom and legally claim that it was laboratory tested. You can add some sunscreen to peanut oil and legally sell the mixture as the best "anti-wrinkle" cream. It is legal, at least in US.
The question is what really works, how do you establish the effectiveness of any cream or laser technique? Only by well designed study that you should review with a critical eye.
Do I have stretch marks? No. Do I care? Yes, I do. This is one of the most disappointing areas in aesthetic medicine that has been approached for some time without real success.
It is our hope that ActiveFX/Deep FX will make a significant difference. It is too early to say although the preliminary data suggest significant improvement. I have 6 patients treated with IPL immediately followed by Active FX with high frequency. There is a definite improvement yet the group is so small that the validity can not be claimed.
But, the design of these treatments is based on unquestionable effect of CO2 laser on collagen production in treated skin. The hope is to achieve this effect within a stretch mark.

Other laser treatments? So far no significant gains have been made.
Other treatments? I don't know of any that has an objective and measurable effect.

So, should you try other methods? Sure! Can you claim any of them to be effective? Of course you can. Does it work? That's a different story.

Best to All!

MD in TN

I hate to say it but you do have a patronising tone at times, we may not be experts but we are people trying to help themselves because, as you yourself say, it is a disappointing area of research. Hopefully the medical community will redress this one day and a cure will be found.

J