To Marti - stretch marks - Skin Problems Message Board

sharm · 11-13-2002, 07:59 PM

Hi Marti,

I'm currently 10 weeks pregnant and I'm terribly worried about the inevitable stretch marks. Its there anything I could use to prevent it? Anyone out there with any suggestions, pls share.

Marti · 11-14-2002, 06:24 PM

Prevention is ALWAYS best, so start NOW! Purchase Jojoba oil, Vitamin E oil, and either Rice Bran oil or Safflower oil. these oils can be purchased over the internet from any site that sells Essential Oils. You can type the name of the oils into your browser to find sites that sell them. Mix the oils in this manner:

8oz Rice Bran Oil or Safflower Oil
2oz Jojoba Oil
2oz Vitamin E oil

Rub into the skin of your tummy, upper thighs, breasts and buttocks at least twice daily.

You can also purchase a scented oil to give the mixture more fragrance as none of them have much scent. I prefer Passion flower oil myself, but purchase one you like the scent of. I DO NOT RECOMMEND any woman who is pregnant to use Oil of Peppermint or any other minty oil during the pregnancy. There has been some concern over miscarriage with the use of minty oils.

[This message has been edited by Marti (edited 11-14-2002).]

sharm · 11-14-2002, 06:50 PM

Thanks Marti for the quick response, but do have 3 questions though:-

(i) Did you mean safflower oil or sunflower oil? and isn't the latter a cooking oil

(2) Is using these oils better than using cocoa butter or shea butter cream to prevent stretch marks?

Thanks and regards

Marti · 11-15-2002, 03:59 PM

(i) Did you mean safflower oil or sunflower oil? and isn't the latter a cooking oil?

A: Safflower Oil - yes, the latter is a cooking oil and the molecules are much to large for use on the skin.

(2) Is using these oils better than using cocoa butter or shea butter cream to prevent stretch marks?

A: Using Cocoa Butter is about the same thing as using cooking oil - the molecules are much too large to penetrate the skin and just lie on the surface. They work as moisturizers by blocking the skins natural moisture from excaping as sweat. Shea Butter works in much the same manner as it relies on the skins natural moisture to work best. Neither of these products contain the vitamin E that the skin needs to heal itself.

Vitamin E and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (fruit acids) are the only 'things' I know of that will rid the body of the free radicals (molecules that split in two) that lead to the break down of the skin such as in pre-mature aging. Vitamin E is excellent for healing the skin, but it cannot work at its optimum without the aid of jojoba oil.

[This message has been edited by Marti (edited 11-15-2002).]

sharm · 11-15-2002, 06:20 PM

Thanks so much Marti - What would we do without you on this Board ...

I'm from Malaysia and I can't seem to find a single place here that sells Jojoba oil, so I'm going to get it from Australia (when a friend of mine comes down for the holidays)

Thanks again