It’s about time to admit it: I have stretch marks on my legs, and they suck big time! I wasn’t bothered by them until high school, when most girls start to become self-conscious and seek approval from everyone else, especially boys. What’s worse was that while other women with stretch marks still went out in public in short shorts and sexy skirts, I couldn’t.
I’ve had my stretch marks since puberty. While science says they were caused by the tearing of the dermis, I used to believe my grandma’s idea that they happen when a female steps on a thread during her first menstruation. Ridiculous, I know. What’s true, however, is that I used to do a lot of stretching when I was a teen. So if I believe in science, my marks could be the result of the severe pulling force on my skin way beyond its elasticity.
During summer outings, I secretly become anxious at the thought of wearing swimsuits. My friends would console me by saying it doesn’t really matter. Of course it doesn’t matter – for them – because they’re my friends. But in my mind, it mattered very much – to other people. It was during those times that I’d try to think ways to remove my stretch marks so I could finally stop being so self-conscious.
My first plan was to have tattoos on my legs, right at the back of my knees where the ugly stretch marks are lurking. I could put some tattooed roses in there with the word “rebel fleur”, ala Rihanna. Or I could ask the artist to just trace the stretch marks in black ink. Maybe it’ll be cool and original, especially when I’m bikini-clad on the beach, but my fear of needles hindered me from pursuing this “ingenious” plan.
I’ve scoured the world, via the Internet, looking for creams to cure my “embarrassing stretch marks”. Sadly, none of them have actually removed them. Minimizers? I don’t know if some of the creams have really minimized the stretch marks or I just imagined them fading away because I’m so desperately hopeful of a positive result. All I know is that they’re not gone and are still coarsely visible.
Then I discovered that laser treatments can help treat stretch marks. Fractional laser therapy is quite an expensive procedure but is said to produce good results for white stretch marks like mine. Laser therapy will create a number of vertical injuries to the patient’s skin (the diameter of a hair shaft) with non-treated, uninjured skin in between the treated areas to help heal the wound and replace the area with new skin.
Shall I undergo laser treatment for my stretch marks? I may or may not consider it someday. But right now, I’ll just keep my options open. Yes, they bother me, but I don’t see them as a life-or-death situation. Besides, I’m certainly not a beauty queen or a model, so I don’t need flawless legs. I’m just a normal woman with stretch marks on my knees that the media deems “shameful” to have. And as long as commercial advertising says it’s “shameful” to have stretch marks, many women like myself will be too self-conscious to show them.
The good news is that many celebrities have now stepped forward and talked about their cellulite and stretch marks, among other body image issues. One day, I might be influenced by their resilience and will finally come to accept my flaws as part of simply being human.
Always love your body. Don’t hate it for the things it went through. ?
I used to use the Palmer’s stretch marks remover lotion but even after I’ve used lots of bottles of it, it never even faded the scars. Creams or any topical treatments don’t really work. It’s more of a preventive measure to provide your skin enough elasticity. I don’t think any cream will ever be effective to remove them. It’s like a scar.
Most people wouldn’t mind their own stretch marks, but for some reason, it’s those who see it that mind it. Like c’mon people, it’s their body so mind your own business. If they’re not bothered by it, don’t be such an ass by pointing it out or saying it looks disgusting. Because the only person that’s in the wrong here is you. If they want to wear short shorts then let them. People’s stretch marks won’t kill you if by any chance you see them. Just let them be and let them love their own skin.
I know! Like who cares if that lady who walk past you has them? It doesn’t give you the right to laugh about it or mock it.
The stretch marks that I hate the most in my body are the ones near my breast. They ruin almost every piece of clothing that I have. I wouldn’t mind them showing but then others get bothered by it, saying I should cover it up and it makes me look like I’m such a “mom” who breastfed so many children.
I don’t think I want to undergo expensive treatments just for stretchmarks. Even if the money I’m about to spend is something I earned, worked hard for and saved, I don’t think it’s ever worth it to use it for purposes like this. Stretch marks are normal and a lot of people get them. It doesn’t make you less beautiful just because you have them. Especially cellulites. Even the sexiest person could have them, even the most beautiful person you know could have them. Just keep in mind that you’re not alone and you’ll learn to accept your flaws.
I agree with you. Those procedures are just too much for me. I don’t mind laser at all but these aren’t cheap treatments either.
I excercise a lot and I consider myself fit, but I do have stretch marks. Why? Because I used to be overweight but then I chose to live a healthier life. I don’t think anyone is exempted from getting them.
It was only during my teenage years that I hated stretch marks. When I got a little older, it no longer stopped me from wanting to wear whatever I want. Even if my stretchmarks are showing. I’d continue to wear skirts and shorts and nobody around me really cared. I would usually think of it like, “Well, someone else who has worse things to cover don’t even bother. So why would stretchmarks–a normal body imperfection should stop me?”
After I got pregnant for the first time and gave birth, the state of my body saddened me. I had new stretch marks that were purplish in color and they were devastatingly itchy. I knew I could no longer wear bikinis the way I did when I was younger. It bothered me for years until I just got over it. I gained weight and had these marks all over my tummy and the back of my knees as well. I even had a couple near my armpits. But after years and years of seeing my body in front of the mirror in this state, I knew it’s something I could no longer reverse and it’s a mark of braveness that I got through pregnancy. It’s a pride of motherhood and it’s not ugly at all. It just goes to show that our body is merely a temple that can be damaged and all but it doesn’t really take away the fact that we’ve grown into something else despite these stretch marks.
i have strech marks but not because of pregnancy. i used to be 282lbs and now im 120lbs my skin got streched so far that when i lost the pounds it stayed with excess skin. but i still keep it. it’s ugly sure, but it simbolizes my struggle and accomplishment. so yeah, i’m keeping it.
Is laser treatment painful or not? It will damage my skin, right? I am scared, but I wanted to try.