by sparklysarah » Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:03 am
Hi all,
I'm a long time reader of this board, although I haven't posted before.
I've got a lot of stretchmarks all over my body but really want to focus on getting rid of/improving the ones on my lower abdomen/breasts.
The products I'm using at the moment are Retin-A (evening), Trireduction w/ Retinol (morning) and occasionally a blend of essential oils inc jojoba and neroli, and a Nivea firming lotion. I also exfoliate using a body brush or microdermabrasion cloth.
I haven't got a solid routine yet but I was wondering what particular products or methods people have used that have had a significant impact on the elasticity of the skin, as that is what I would like to improve mostly (at first anyway). I put on and lost a lot of weight a couple of times in a fairly short space of time about 5 years ago which has left the skin on my lower abdomen very slack and stretched out, and the marks on my breasts are from a growth spurt when I was about 11, which have also resulted in pretty slack skin.
The marks on my abdomen are a mixture of big, deep, vertical ones and small, shallower, horizontal ones. Strangle, it actually looks like the smaller ones are what are affecting the elasticity of the skin more than the big ones.
I know that some people say the only way to get rid of this is through surgery but, at the moment, that isn't an option. I know TCA peels are supposed to help with this; however, due to my skin tone, I'm not sure if I could use this. I'm of mixed Indian/European heritage and have medium brown skin, although the areas where I'd want to use the peel are actually a fair bit lighter than the rest of me.
If anyone could share what they've found helpful with regards to this, I'd be really grateful!
Many thanks,
Sarah