Raw and stretch marks

[Rawkinlocs]

Okay, I've read wonderful stories of bodies being healed of disease, weight loss, cellulite vanishing, acne, eczema and other skin problems clearing up...all from one switching to an all or mostly raw diet.

So, does anyone have any success stories with those darned stretch marks?

I was just looking in the full-length mirror and I am a nice size, been working out and the muscle-tone/definition is starting to kick in...but I have these terrible "zebra stripes" in ...a-HEM...different areas on my body.

I mean, dh doesn't complain about them and I have no intention on anyone seeing these areas other than dh...but I'm just curious as to if anyone has noticed any changes in that area since having been raw.

I know there are MUCH worse afflictions than something so cosmetic, but hey, I'm a woman who wants to look my best! :D But if not, I definitely won't obsess over it because it's not that serious.

[Analeah]

I have had stretch marks for quite awhile now and I have noticed they are starting to fade a little. I can't prove it is because of diet change but I think it definately has something to do with it. I am also planning on applying coconut oil topically to see if this has any affect on them. I have read things about Shea butter helping stretch marks but have never tried it myself. I do have confidence that the stretch marks will go away at some point if I can be consistent with an all raw diet. They say the body takes seven years to regenerate all new cells so I am hoping that is the longest it would take lol.

[SwishTN]

But don't want to start another post and distract from this one, but it is a little bit related....
How many of you who had a rapid weight loss, incurred major skin flabbiness because of this?? I AM a bit concerned.... Is one answer to work out while shedding the pounds?

Rawkinlocs,
Have you heard of or tried skin brushing?
Lauri

[Sweet lips]

Rawkinlocs

I read a little sun exposure helps bring in the vitamin d that will assist in the disapperance. All I can think is that you going to have be naked in the sunlight. I personally am not able to bring myslef to that yet.

SwishTn,

From personal experience, exercise and hydration while losing weight will reduce the appearence of the flab. Now, when I knock off the full ninety, I'll let you know, although by then I probably won't care, shcucks, I may ready to stand naked in the sunlight also for the inveriable stretch marks.

Also, my granny always said use coco butter for marks on aa skin, and it helped me when I was a little girl, cause I was a clummsy tomgirl. I couldnever be a boy too much DIVA. :D

[Joopie]

I know the last post for this was a while ago, but I am concerned about it as well. I was 180 lbs. when I got pregnant with my first child, so I started out overweight. I didn't have any stretch marks before I was pregnant, I had nice smooth skin. I am very short waisted, so my middle was huge when I was pregnant-- and the resulting stretch marks are pretty bad. They are deeper in some places than others, but I am grieving the loss of how I used to look. Does anyone know of anything other than coconut oil and shea butter? (Or if those things really work well?) I know there are no miracles with these things and it takes a long time to heal, if ever- One of my midwives told me to use Dr. Hauschka's Blackthorn Body Oil. My skin is softer after using it but it really isn't getting rid of the stretchmarks. I am also dry skin brushing and being raw... I don't want to use the mainstream Mederma stuff because of the chemicals. Are there any specific foods that help with this? I am concerned with having flabby, stretched out skin after I get to my ideal weight after being raw for a while as well. :rolleyes:

I love my daughter more than anything but I wasn't expecting my body to be so different after she got here. It's kind of hard to deal with sometimes. I hope to be a new woman soon!

Thanks for any advice you may have. :o

[twinyoga]

I was pregnant with twins and very fortunately I only got four stretch marks on my left hip. The doctor and nurses were shocked because I was sooo huge and gained about 70 lbs. Anyway, they told me it's strictly genetic and depends on the elasticity of your skin. But, I soaked myself in almond oil during the whole pregnancy and I do think that helped. All I know is that they fade in time but they will never go away. Being out in the sun a little does make sense, though.

As for flab, I've been told that you must, must exercise while losing weight to help the skin tighten again and it will tighten up. But you have to do some cardio and some weight training. Just enjoy! Exercise is a must when losing weight and makes you feel so good.

Debbie

Happy Holidays

[Joopie]

Debbie,

Aw, twins? :)

I heard about the skin elasticity being genetic as well. When I was pregnant I used Motherlove Herbal's Pregnant Belly Oil and Salve (along with the Dr. Hauschka's Blackthorn Oil). It helped take the itchies away but didn't do much for the marks. Maybe after years of being raw, the skin will regenerate, who knows! I'll try to get more sun on my stomach (in private). :D I wonder if a vitamin D supplement would work?

Thanks for the advice, I will definitely be exercising more in the new year. I don't want flabby skin all over the place! :rolleyes:

Merry Christmas!

[Rawism]

I have tried both vitamin E and cocoa butter but I haven't been too consistent with either. I think I have in the back of my mind that these marks (on my back) are here forever. That really upsets me sometimes!!

I would love to hear of any success stories you may encounter, also.

I will try the skin brushing also.

[AJ Bodine]

I use fresh aloe (just a recent addition about a month ago, as I had surgery and I'm using it on my scars, so I thought I'd use it on my stretch marks too) and I also use coconut oil.

I can say that in the time I've been raw/mostly raw my tummy has improved and I'd like to think the stretch marks have gotten better. When I go across them to smooth on the aloe, it seems like they are smoother too. They are under my belly button and I wish they'd go away completely though.

This summer I'm going to make sure I get them some sun by laying out. Maybe that will help??

AJ