The appearance of stretch marks may “improve” over time, and buying those specially-formulated moisturizers or bathing in Vitamin E may make a difference, but I think it’s harmful to make your confidence contingent on getting back to the way you used to look rather than finding a way to accept and love your present self. Take a note from the Love Your Lines Instagram account, which celebrates stretch marks of all kinds with powerful black and white photography. It’s not cool to ask people why they aren’t trying to get things off their own bodies, and it’s okay to be okay with your stretchies!