Essential oils for stretchmarks?

[~Kaz~]

Hi,

I'm just wondering if anyone has heard of using Lavender and Tangerine essential oils (in a blend with sweet almond oil) for stretch marks during pregnancy? I have some massage and bath oil that says this blend is good for stretch marks but I'm unsure about the pregnancy bit. I know that Lavender is ok - what about Tangerine?

I don't have any stretchies yet and I know that there's generally not a lot that can be done to prevent them, but I also thought this oil blend might help make them less severe perhaps. (I also know not to put the oil directly onto my skin and was planning to use it in the bath).

Thanks guys,

[Liz]

I used a belly balm that had tangerine & lavender in it. It's ok to put on your skin as long as it's well diluted.

Avocado oil is meant to be good for stretchmarks/scarring. There are some good plant oils you can use if you'd rather avoid essential oils. Or if you're not averse to animal products, emu oil is meant to be very good too.

[AngelPunks]

just be careful with any citrus based oil (incl bergamot) - not just for pregnancy as they are photosensitive and can "burn" - well at least "help" your skin burn. It would be ok for night time.

[~Kaz~]

Thanks heaps girls!

Liz - I think we might have some avocado oil somewhere in the pantry. Emu oil sounds very exotic.
Schaz - I wondered about the citrus - I'll be sure to use it in night time baths only.

[tattoo_mama]

be careful when using the essential oils, i read in one of my baby books that essential/aromatherapy oils have not been tested for their 'safeness' during pregnancy and should therefore be avoided...i have put off getting a massage with oils for this reason

[AngelPunks]

tattoo_mama - Actually there has been quite a bit of research into essential oils & pregnancy, there are even aromatherapists who specialise in pregnancy.

Yes there are oils that are not safe during pregnancy, just like there are herbs not safe (like rosemary - in large doses), but if you talk to a qualified aromatherapist, then you should get correct information.

I'd be looking at text books used in aromatherapy studies instead of baby books for information on oil & pregnancy. Sal who owns the Perfect Potion chain has an amazing book on essential oils, it is actually used throughout the world as a text book, I've still got to unpack my uni stuff since my move so I can get my hands on it right away (am studying Bachelor of Health Science majoring in naturopathy), but if there is a Perfect Potion near you, you should be able to go and have a quick look at the book.

[AngelPunks]

on a side note: a base carrier oil blend I usually make for massage etc is:

sweet almond oil (quickest oil to be absorbed into the skin - approx 15 mins) - use this as your major oil
jojoba oil (closest in oil content to skin) - about a third of the amount you've used of the sweet almond oil
wheatgerm oil (a vit e capsule is ok if you can't get wheatgerm oil) - not a lot of this is needed but it is great for scaring

then for about 100ml of carrier oil I use no more that 5 drops of essential oil (usually organic)

Also there is a BIG difference between a fragrance oil and an essential oil. A fragrance oil is just that, for fragrance. Essential oils keep the active consituents in them.

[Liz]

Don't use wheatgerm if you have wheat allergies tho Or nut oils if you have allergies. hehe. Too much to think about isn't there!

Perhaps just stick to good ol' olive oil

[~Kaz~]

Thanks again for the info girls. There is a lot to learn! No allergies here though. I might just try a few drops in a bath tonight and see how it goes. I already seem more prone to sunburn so I don't want to make that any worse with the tangerine!

Liz - is olive oil good for stretchies?

[Liz]

Some ppl swear by it, but I think you'll find stretchies come anyway if they're going to. But olive oil is good for your skin regardless.

[~Kaz~]

Ok thanks. I've never heard of that about olive oil before.

Finally had my bath last night. I was very careful to only put a few drops in so not sure how useful it might have been. It was relaxing though which I guess is the main thing.

I know the stretchies will come and tbh I am expecting them I am just engaging in a bit of emotion-focused coping by denial