LilSugar

Molly Sims's Approach to Preventing Stretch Marks Is Internal

LilSugar — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:04:22 PST

While your odds of developing stretch marks during pregnancy are (for the most part) left to fate outside of your control, Molly Sims is following a diet rich in good-for-you fatty acids to improve her odds of avoiding them. Molly is a follower of Lori Bregman's Rooted For Life program, a holistic approach to pregnancy and motherhood. Today on her blog, the 4-month pregnant mama-to-be shared some of her menu highlights, which include:

Fish, olive, coconut, canola, hempseed, and flaxseed oils
Hemp, flax, sesame, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds
Almond and nut butters
Salmon and cod
Avocados
Split peas
Lentils
Collard Greens

Other celeb moms who have shared their secrets to avoiding the dreaded stretch marks include Ali Landry, who's a devoted user of (and spokesperson for) Palmer's Cocoa Butter, and Victoria Beckham, who favored the pricey Elemis Japanese Camellia Oil last year.

Do you think that stretch marks are best treated from the inside or out? Do you have any other great tips and tricks for avoiding the battle scars of pregnancy?

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: More Than You Ever Wanted to Know About Stretch Marks

Natasha Dantzig — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:32:47 PST

Streeeeeetch. Stretch marks, one of the more unsightly pregnancy side effects for many women, are shrouded in mystery. Women spend boatloads of money trying to prevent, treat, and rid themselves of markings, often with little or no effect. Knowledge is power when it comes to combating these insidious lines - do you know stretch mark fact from fiction? Take our quiz to find out.

Take the Quiz

OnSugar Blog: Marks of Love

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 03:16:08 PDT

Lots of moms like to think out loud, and CherylDee is one of them. Here is one of the latest posts to her Lipsticks to Baby Bottles blog.

I know my stretch marks that I started getting as soon as I hit the 8 months mark of being pregnant, which has lasted me until now, always seemed to bug me. They're not as dark and as yucky looking as they were at the beginning. They're starting to fade to white but I can still see them. I felt so insecure about them for such a long time. Plus modeling before also meant that going back to modeling now, I had something to cover up, something to hide.

But then I came across a picture and I have to say, it made me feel better. Made me proud to carry these marks. It was all worth it, every line, every scar, every ounce of pain I felt. I would do it again. A million times in fact. Because what I had in return, is such a beautiful little angel. I still tear up when I think about Kiara. She's been so amazing. She's changed my life, taught me patience, and taught me to love to a whole new level.

So here's to you, all you Mothers. Don't feel ashamed of them anymore. Wear them proudly. I know I am.

To see the image that changed CherylDee's mind, click here. Want to see more? Start following Lipsticks to Baby Bottles or start your own OnSugar blog. It's easy, it's free, and we just may feature your content on our site!

Source: Flikr User Jamiiiiiie

Ali Landry on Stretch Marks, Keeping Cool, and Staying Beautiful

Miriam Lacey — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:10:00 PDT

Model and actress Ali Landry has been on our radar since her days as Miss USA, and she knows all the industry insider beauty tips and tricks. Recently, she became the new spokesmodel for Palmer's Cocoa Butter, fronting the brand's line of stretch mark products. She's expecting her second baby in October (congratulations!) and has a few things to say about about treating and preventing stretch marks, along with more beauty tips. So to find out her advice, just keep reading.

Victoria Beckham Shares Her Tip For Preventing Stretch Marks

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 23 May 2011 08:36:57 PDT

What's Victoria Beckham's secret to a stretch mark-free belly? Elemis Japanese Camellia Oil Blend. The singer and designer hasn't said much about her pregnancy publicly, but she did head to Twitter last night to show off her favorite stretch mark prevention product tweeting, "Pregnancy tip!!!! I have used this through every pregnancy, it's amazing!! X VB"

The $45 oil helps keep skin moisturized throughout pregnancy and claims to help improve skin's elasticity. While I can't confirm that it actually works, I can't imagine that Posh Spice would continue using a product through four pregnancies if it doesn't work (but maybe she's just one of the lucky ones who isn't genetically predisposed to the battle scars of pregnancy).

What was your favorite stretch mark prevention cream?

5 Things to Know About Your Pregnant Belly

Rebecca M Gruber — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 04:17:36 PDT

It's belly time! The pregnant belly is something to be celebrated. We discuss ways to cover it and ways to show it off, but how much do you really think about the area that is affectionately known as your bump? Click through this slideshow to see five things worth knowing about your midsection as you journey through pregnancy.

DrSugar Answers: Can I Prevent Stretch Marks?

DrSugar — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 05:50:00 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! She's here to answer your health-related questions, and this week she's discussing stretch marks.

Dear DrSugar,
I have been dieting and losing weight, which is the good news. The bad news is I have stretch marks around my breasts, belly, and hips - not so attractive. Are they going to be permanent? Is there anything I can do to prevent them or make them go away? Thanks!
- Stressing on Stretch Marks

Thanks for asking this question because I’m sure that stretch marks are a common concern for other FitSugar readers. Medline Plus defines stretch marks, also known as striae, as irregular areas of skin that look like bands, stripes, or lines. Striae are typically seen when a person grows or gains weight rapidly or has certain conditions or diseases. To learn more about stretch marks, including prevention and treatment options, keep reading.

Don't Sweat Stretch Marks - Seriously

BellaSugar — Wed, 26 May 2010 07:00:00 PDT

Almost everyone has at least a few stretch marks, but they're usually only considered a "problem" for women. There are a lot of not terribly effective treatments already out there, and there's recent news of a new laser treatment hitting the market that's supposed to reduce them. I say, if having a procedure like that will make you happy, then go for it. But you know what? As someone who's tried to get rid of, and finally learned to accept, her "stretchies," I'd much rather see a bunch of happy, self-confident women with their marks proudly on display any day of the week.

That's right, I want stretch marks on the beach, not covered up with makeup at the mall, and playing outside in the park on weekends. They're a sign that you've physically grown as a person, that you've matured into a woman, and sometimes that you've created life.

Plus, guys usually don't mind theirs. I see men with large stretch marks out shirtless all the time, and to tell the truth, though they're noticeable, they're also completely normal - even pretty cool looking. Also, remember: Anyone who says something derogatory about the stretch marks they see on another person is nothing but a hypocrite, because they probably have some themselves. I'm not suggesting you stop taking care of your skin and moisturizing to keep it looking nice, but I do think women are being encouraged to worry about something that's absolutely fine. Where do you stand on this?

Do You Love Your Stretch Marks as Much as Jessica Alba?

LilSugar — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:07 PST

Honor Warren may layer on the accessories just like her famous mama, but there are a few items that Jessica Alba's daughter isn't likely to be sporting soon. The actress, who returns to the silver screen next month in her first movie since the birth of 19-month-old Honor, waxed poetically to Self about the battle wounds she bares from her pregnancy. In the February issue of the magazine, Alba discusses her ability to ignore her stretch marks and deflated breasts.

"Pregnancy was the most incredible experience I've ever had, so I’ll take the stretch marks. I’ll take the sagging boobs. I'll take the cellulite I can never get rid of. If you walk around with your head held high and you’re happy and positive, then all that other stuff is irrelevant. Confidence is number one."

Alba may embrace her postpartum body, but plenty of women don't. Have you just accepted the markings of your pregnancies, or would you consider procedures to remove them?

Do You Still Believe in the Healing Power of Cocoa Butter?

LilSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:00:12 PDT

Lots of mothers swear by the benefits of slathering their growing bellies and boobs with cocoa butter. The ingredient is mixed into affordable balms and creams that women often purchase as a preventative measure upon finding out they are pregnant. But, new research suggests that cocoa butter lotions and potions have little to no benefit. One report said:

The largest study on the subject was published in 2008 by a team of dermatologists and obstetricians. It followed 175 women in their first pregnancies, some randomly assigned to apply a cocoa butter lotion each day and others assigned to use a placebo. Neither the subjects nor the researchers knew who was using which treatment. After many months, the researchers found no difference in the development or severity of marks, known medically as striae, over the abdomen, breasts or thighs.

The piece suggests Vitamin E as an effective alternative. What's your opinion?