Scars

[Jenisi]

As some people know I used to be over 200lbs blah blah blah.. anyways i'm not now and I have nasty faded strech marks on my stomach, hips, thighs and under my arms... anyone know of any creme's to recomend that will get rid of these damned scars... or have any stories to promote a product? heh..

[Snapp]

I know my store sells a cream called 'Mederma' that's supposedly good for scars/stretch marks. A lot of women buy it after giving birth. It's pricey, but I've heard it works.

[Edaarin]

I used to have some on my chest near my shoulder cuff from all the growing/lifting I did late in high school. You're right about them being scars, and as such they're pretty much permanent without treatment. Don't go tanning, it only makes it appear a lot more obvious.

If you have really, really, really good insurance you might be able to get them to cover part of a laser treatment to get them removed. Probably won't happen though. Best bet would be to see a dermatologist, and get them to prescribe Tretinoin cream for you. It worked okay for me, you have to be up pretty close to tell they were ever there.

EDIT: Since it's for cosmetic purposes, don't expect too much coverage. It also takes a long ass time. I had to apply that shit for almost a year. I have no idea if Mederma works or not.

[Edited on 7-16-2004 by Edaarin]

[Satira]

People always say cocoa butter fades them, but in my experience this is crap. Some people will tell you to tan to lessen them, and that helps, but then you're also running the risk of premature aging and skin cancer.

There is a product called Strivectin that they were using on burn victims and they have found that it greatly reduces the appearance of stretch marks. It is insanely expensive. I think the last time I looked it was 150 dollars to purchase one of the containers.

Overall, and probably the most expensive, the best way to get rid of them is to get microdermabrasion done on the areas that have the stretch marks on them. I'm not talking about the at home systems either, I'm talking about the microdermabrasion offered by plastic surgeons/lazer spas. It IS pricey though.

I understand it's a pain in the ass, trust me.

Edited to add:

If they are FRESH stretch marks, or you're trying to prevent stretch marks Mederma works to a certain degree, as do the new scar bandages from Bandaid. If they aren't fresh, don't bother.

Retin-A (same as what Ed was talking about) does help lessen them.

Also, if you skin isn't being stretch anymore, the marks WILL fade with time. Eventually they'll be a silvery flesh tone.

[Edited on 7-16-2004 by Lady Satira]

[Jenisi]

well I lost the weight about 3 years ago

You look damn good.

Stop worrying about your stupid stretch marks.

[Satira]

I'm with him. You're beautiful, so don't worry about it.

[Shari]

Like most have already said, there are creams (aside from cocoa butter, what a fucking waste of time) that will lessen the oappearance. Usually, you have to apply it EVERY day and if you take showers in the afternoon, reapply. And you have to do it consistantly for about a year.

I've heard of Medirma (spell that right?) and it sells at my pharmacy for about 20 bucks a tube. Not bad, but my pharmasist said it would take a year or so for them to go away.

I was going to use it on the ones I have on my legs but figured fuck it because it would take too long and I would likely ALWAYS forget to put it on. That and the fact I have a boyfriend and he could give a shit about them, so who do I need to impress?

You could always go for the lazer treatment but that's really pricy. Good luck. If you do end up going with something, let me know how it works out cause maybe I'll try it too.

[Soulpieced]

I have stretch marks on my back from when I had a stress fracture in a lower vertabrae freshman/sophomore year in high school. Wore a back brace for a long time and just developed them over time. Strech marks and scars build character.

[Edaarin]

Mederma's faster than the prescription drug...but it doesn't work well on old scars.

[Czeska]

Cocoa butter is ok for prevention, not for lessening. A lot of pregnant women will rub it on their bellies when they first get pregnant to help minimize their appearance.

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Stanley Burrell
You look damn good.

Stop worrying about your stupid stretch marks. Totally.

[The Cat In The Hat]

I feel ya Jenisi, I was 125 pounds until I got pregnant. I was 210 after she was born and I havn't found anything that works yet. Lost the weight and I'm down to 130 or so now. I have them, and they drive me nuts. I also had a C birth, so I have that to deal with too. Let me know if that stuff works for you!! I think I'll give it a try too!

On the bright side, I wear a C bra now! :beer:

Cat

[DianaBanana]

I've had stretchmarks since I was a teenager. Boyfriends have never seemed to care and neither do I. Nobody is perfect.

Get a full torso tattoo