Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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After reading this thread ( http://paleohacks.com/questions/4765/dealing-with-subcutaneous-fluid ) about loose skin, it got me thinking about another (even more common) skin elasticity issue, namely stretch marks (aka "striae"). Does anyone have paleo (or non-paleo) solutions for the prevention and treatment of stretch marks?

Edit, 6/24/2010: Has anyone tried the prescription cream Retin-A (generic is Tretinoin) for stretch marks? Ref: http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/132/5/519

edited Jun 25 2010 at 3:27

asked May 17 2010 at 1:51

Ed♦
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Kim · Accepted Answer · 2010-05-17 14:39:01Z UTC

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I used Mederma, which is some kind of onion extract, on mine right after my pregnancy, so when the stretch marks were very new. I guess I can't say for sure because I did not leave a control area, but it seems that I got some modest results from it. A year later, they have no difference in color from the rest of my skin, but the texture is most certainly still different. If the stretch marks are old, I probably wouldn't bother.

answered May 17 2010 at 14:39

Kim
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@Kim, Mederma is usually used on small scars. Stretch marks tend to be multiple and have a much greater surface area. How expensive was it to use the Mederma for this purpose? – Ed♦ May 18 2010 at 14:11

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They certainly market it for stretch marks! mederma.com I bought and used one tube, which I think I purchased for somewhere in the neighborhood of $20. I think this amounted to maybe 6 weeks of daily use. The stuff spreads pretty thin so it took very little to cover the stretch marks which cover a ~2x6 inch section of my belly. – Kim May 19 2010 at 19:44

SKoK · Answer 2 · 2010-05-17 02:39:42Z UTC

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Allegedly using a dry loofa or bath brush to scrub your skin just before you get in the shower/bath helps with both problems.

answered May 17 2010 at 2:39

SKoK
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Stephen-Aegis · Answer 3 · 2010-08-15 00:27:56Z UTC

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I looked in the mirror today... I don't know how long it's been this way... I've had the weight gone for over a year now... I had alot of stomach stretch marks from my 285lb days...

Today, they're gone!!!

No cream, no supplements, just strict diet, exercise and time. I'm 31yr old male, and very excited today to see that what I once thought was a fat man tattoo, is now GONE...!!!

answered Aug 15 2010 at 0:27

Stephen-Aegis
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	Fantastic! When you say "no supplements", does that include things like Vit. D and O-3 oils? – Ed♦ Aug 15 2010 at 2:12
	Can I ask, how long ago did you loose the weight? What appearance did they have right after? What appearance did they have right before paleo? What was your diet like through most of paleo? – Katie Aug 15 2010 at 2:56
	Ok, I take D, I used to take fish oil, but now I just strongly avoid O6 – Stephen-Aegis Aug 15 2010 at 5:15
	The weight came off about a year ago, they initially were angry pink rage scars like 4 large parentheses hugging my abs, they got lighter and tighter in a couple months, I'm wondering if the strong no O6 switch made the difference to close up completely – Stephen-Aegis Aug 15 2010 at 5:17
	Stephen, could yo confimr that they are really gone? Mine has faded in color and are not visible to the eye, however when I slide with my finger over them , I can clearly feel them. – MasterB Aug 16 2010 at 19:29

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Sara J · Answer 4 · 2010-06-29 14:32:26Z UTC

I use Retin-A micro for acne, which along with washing my face once a day and using a fragrance-free facial lotion has really helped. I recommend talking to a dermatologist first before anything, especially before taking advice from me. But by my understanding it involves high doses of vitamin A to push impurities out of your skin and only a small amount should be used a day. As far as skin damage, the vitamin A only goes so far in reversing it. After using Retin-A for over a year I'm only slightly noticing minor acne scarring diminish. A lot of companies enjoy marketing products with vitamin A with the claims that it reverses damage and wrinkles, but I feel that it's only a preventative treatment for the most part. So I'm not sure how this would help with stretch marks.

Also, I feel I should note that Retin-A reduces your resistance to UV, and my dermatologist recommended that I use spf every day on my face. And using spf has become a debated topic as of late.

Hack your stretch marks?

4 Answers