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Doctors say there's no preventing stretch marks
Categories: Just For Moms, Pregnancy & Birth
We live in an age of Miracle Creams, designed to fix anything that ails you; we also live in an age of celebrity obsession, where you can track the loves and losses and beauty secrets of famous people in amazing detail. So of course we're all obsessed with what precisely it was that Cate Blanchett was rubbing on her belly when she was pregnant because WHERE ARE THE STRETCH MARKS?!? She doesn't have any that I can see.Apparently, this has less to do with getting your hands on the right product and more to do with things like genetics and weight gain, at least according to the experts. In an article in today's New York Times, the American College of Obstetrician and Gynocologists tells us that we can rub whatever we like on our pregnant bellies, but we can't stop the stretch marks.
Sigh.
According to the Times, "Stretch marks occur when skin loses its elasticity, usually from rapid weight gain - a common occurrence, alas, when one is with child. But research has also shown that genetics and race play a role in stretch marks." So if your mother had stretch marks, you will likely have them too, and if you are a woman of color, your odds of winding up with permanent reminders of your pregnancy etched across your belly and thighs are greater than if you are Caucasian.
But the experts also say that while you can't PREVENT stretch marks, it doesn't really hurt to try. Rubbing fancy creams on your belly while you wait for the baby to grow keeps skin hydrated and makes you feel better, and really, the feeling better is probably the most important part.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Jan Bay 5-29-2008 @ 11:50AM
The statement that women of color have more of a tendency towards stretch marks has me puzzled. My black and Hispanic friends don't have nearly the stretch marks that I have. I've often told them how jealous I am that they seem to snap back after having their babies without a hitch while I seem to have no elasticity left in my skin and am left with stretchmarks from here to there! I wonder if the few they have just show up more?
Jan from http://www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com/
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Diane 6-02-2008 @ 12:33PM
The comment was that caucasions are more prone to stretch marks
drwds 5-29-2008 @ 2:01PM
as an obstetrician, I have noticed that women who gain too much and women who start out overweight before pregnancy are much more prone to stretch marks than are thin women who exercise
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Barb 6-02-2008 @ 8:46AM
I gained less weight with my first pregnancy than anyone I know (30 lbs), was not overweight when I got pregnant, exercised up to the 8th month of pregnancy as well as years before and after the pregnancy and ended up with a body riddled with stretch marks. I even had to have my labor started because I was in so much pain because my skin started to split open and bleed, despite trying every cream and lotion I could find to ease the stress on my skin. My mother had the same experience. It's genetic.
Sue 6-02-2008 @ 10:02AM
Drwds
I respect your experience as a Dr. but is that really the case? That's blaming the woman for her stretch marks.
I was 118lbs when I got pregnant (I'm 5'8") gained between 25 and 30 lbs with each pregnancy, exercised and ate right. Yes, I spread all kinds of creams on my belly and I have a ton of stretch marks! Since I had my first child young my body has been a sorce of embarrasment for me for many years.
I would also like to know why celebrities don't get them.
valeriejb75 6-04-2008 @ 4:49PM
I have 2 children and rubbed cocoa butter on my stomach everyday and dont have not 1 streachmark...Moisture is the key.
drwds 6-04-2008 @ 5:56PM
certainly genetics and possibly cortisol levels or who knows can cause stretch marks, and even thin women or low weight gain women can get stretch marks. But if one can keep the weight low are start out at an ideal weight, I think one will be less likely to get them.
Audrey 6-02-2008 @ 6:44AM
My family is from the Dominican Republic and have dark complexions on my mother's side. My mother, her mother, and her sisters are all dark skinned, have had multiple pregnancies, and NONE of them have stretch marks. My grandmother had 19 pregnancies and her skin, aside from old age, does not betray this. I take after my mother's side of the family in everything but this. After having one child, my skin is full of stretch marks. Generalizations should be avoided, especially when making declarations based on "race".
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pittcogal 6-02-2008 @ 10:05AM
Oh, PULEEEEZE!!!! It is a fact that every race has some general tendencies bilogically. This is not A RACIST occurrence, this is scientific. What about Tay-Sacs disease? This is a disease that truly affects children of hasidic jewish genes. Sickle cell? Osteoporosis (more common in Caucasian women), gall bladder problems(more common in VERY FAIR complected people).
In fact, I'm glad the medical profession knows these things, because then they will rule out certain things by testing. I am also more prone to skin cancer because I am a very fair caucasian. I have to pay extra every year to visit the dermatologist to save my life!!!
Get real and get a life!
Michele 6-02-2008 @ 8:01AM
Funny, I heard just the opposite. A mailing I received a few years ago from a cosmetic surgeon and skin treatment center stated in their newsletter that the fairest skinned people are the most prone to stretch marks because their skin is the thinnest, while darker skinned people's skin are thicker.
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Angel 6-02-2008 @ 8:13AM
I think Dr's tend to tell you whatever they need to so you won't believe in any home remedies and continue to line their pockets. I had 2 pregnancies and I don't have nearly the stretch marks that my friends or family have. Do whatever makes you feel good and worry less about what so-called experts say is right.
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Christine 6-02-2008 @ 8:14AM
I used Mustela Stretch Mark Cream on my belly from the day I found out I was pregnant and I don't have one stretch mark. I wouldnt say that I am not prone to them either because I have them on my sides since I am 11 due to a growth spurt. My Mom and my sister have a few on their stomach and I have none and I really think it is because of the Mustela cream. Also, after my pregnancy I used their Reconstructor and my belly went down in 2 weeks (and I didnt breast feed). I SWEAR by their products. Now, if I would have only had this when I was 11 I would be golden! And too add, I am Italian and have very olive skin.
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Heidi 6-02-2008 @ 8:31AM
I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on at least fading stretch marks. My 15 year old daughter is embarrassed by the stretch marks on her thighs following a growth spurt. They are worse than mine after 2 pregnancies.
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Avon 6-02-2008 @ 9:49AM
Hi Heidi,
I just wanted to let you know that Avon has a new product, Anew Clinical stretch mark smoother. It doesn't promise to make stretch marks go away but it does make them lighter and smoother. The product just came out but as a rep I was able to sample it before hand and I was really impressed. I had some really ugly stretch marks on my stomach due to weight gain and after 2 weeks using this product they are faded considerably. I really didn't think it would work but it did.
It's not cheap, it's 25.00 a tube but it lasts for awhile and for something that actually works it's not such a bad price. If you are interested you can find it on my website, www.youravon.com/mblanchard7198 I'll even give you free shipping, just use code REPFS
Avon also has a money back guarantee if you aren't satisfied so you really don't have anything to lose.
Have a great day!
Kathy 6-02-2008 @ 8:26AM
I Have Olive Skin and ZERO strech marks after one pregnancy. Give credit where credit is due! It's not my genes. I cared enough to apply the best cream I could get and applied it all over my body, not just my belly, twice a day, every day since the day I knew I was expecting. More importantly, I read up about foods high in Collagen producing enzymes.You are what you eat girls!
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Chybria 6-02-2008 @ 10:09AM
What creams did you use? Im on my way to giving up...
Teah 6-03-2008 @ 7:50AM
I developed strechmarks during and after my first pregnancy in spite of using those special creams to supposedly prevent them. I believe that regardless of what you use to prevent them or what you eat during your pregnancy, each woman will react differently because there are so many factors that contribute to the end result. My mom also had a lot of strechmarks on her belly following her pregnancy as well. The only advice that I can suggest is that I did seek the help of a dermatologist and she said that it's important to seek treatment as soon as possible following delivery while the stretchmarks are still new and easier to treat. She prescribed Retin-A, but I couldn't tolerate the cream after only a few weeks because it burned so badly for me.
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. 6-02-2008 @ 8:44AM
Well I noticed my mother does not have stretch marks and my father does not have many marks on his dark skin that are noticeable. I'm the only one with stretch marks and scars all over my body. I think it might have to do with mixed genetics. When you have a mother who is light tan and a father who is really dark brown... you end up with some kids that might have skin pigment problems. It could also be due to vitamin deficiency or some sort of lack of skincare since a young age or the weather. Lack of sun and so forth. My parents grew up in year long extremely hot weather and hung outside alot. I grew up in the total opposite, lacking alot of sun and because of a stupid fear of crime back in the 80s, wasn't allowed to go out much.
I also noticed that my friends of color, including myself, who suffer from skin problems like eczema are also more prone to stretch marks, hairiness/course hair on the body, large pores, skin discolorations and so forth. I am assuming that people of color who suffer from dry skin may be having discoloration and other problems. I've tried everything. Vitamins and supplements. Healthy foods. Detox. Putting lotion all the time. Drinking lots of water. Seeing a dermatologist. Even taking a teaspoon of a healthy oil once in a while. None of it works. I can never wear bathing suits or make love without the lights off. I can't even wear sleeveless or half sleef shirts and short skirts because of large pores and scars on my arms, elbows, legs and knees. Not even panty hose hide the problems. And body cover up, is either expensive or a pain to manage without worrying that it'll rub off somewhere.
I've never tried to get a tan before, but I wonder, if I go for a tanning salon, and increase my melatonin production... maybe it will help. So far I've been trying to stay out of the sun most of my life thinking it'll worsen the discoloration and darken the scars. But maybe i should do the oppoiste to eradicate these skin problems.
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MORGAN C.age 37 years old nycjersey A MALE FORMER BRITNEY FAN...SHE IS HISTORY NOW SHE IS OVER.DONE WITH WASHED UP!!!!!!!!!!!!! 6-02-2008 @ 9:34AM
white GIRL here tall woman here blonde hair,etc
and i GOT alot of YUCKI STRETCH MARKS after onlly 2 girls at 19 and 23 i had both kids just 37/38 now,,,and i m not short but got the
"marks" lol
i love having MODEL height being tall NOT SHORT no prob there
blond hair,etc.
but i HATE THE STRETCHIN ILOL even if my guy
LOVE IT,
lol saying i am gorgeous MORE FROM giving birth that
is proof ? so i said uhhh ok,
so again BLK women don't all get em to last etc. or my spanish
male friend sister do not got them either just ME A WHITE PALE
SKIN WHITE BLONDE CHICK,I KNOW now it got NOTHIN to do wit
race.
see ya! and oh! lipo does wonders they leave with any type of good surgery,or tummie tuck IF YOU ONLY need to go this route do it
or love em no matter what life too short to dread over this.
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Penny 6-02-2008 @ 9:47AM
"MOTHER'S FRIEND" ~ As for myself, I do not believe that this article is completely true. I had four children beginning when I was 22 until I was 28. I am a petite person and only gained 25 pounds each time (putting me at 125 birth weight). None-the-less, my mother and my younger sister both ended up with stretch marks on their bellys and breasts. I don't have either, even now at 48. The product that I used daily was called "Mother's Friend". I don't know if the product is still on the market or not, but I can tell you I give it almost ALL of the credit for my "stretchmarkless body"! :)
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