What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks, or striae, are discolored, slightly depressed, scar-like lines that appear on the skin when it stretches or shrinks rapidly.

Stretch marks generally appear on your:

• Abdominal area (stomach).
• Thighs.
• Hips.
• Breasts (boobs).
• Upper arms.
• Lower back.
• Buttocks (butt).

Who do stretch marks affect?

Factors that may increase your risk of developing stretch marks include:

• Pregnancy, particularly
• Rapid weight gain or loss
• Rapid muscle growth from bodybuilding or weightlifting
• Adolescent growth spurts
• Family history of stretch marks (genetics)
• Conditions such as Cushing's syndrome or Marfan syndrome
• Long-term use of prednisone

How frequently do stretch marks occur?

Stretch marks are common, with between 50% and 90% of pregnant individuals developing them.

How do stretch marks affect my body?

Stretch marks are not physically painful, but they can significantly impact your mental health. They may cause concern about others' perceptions of your body and can influence your self-image and behavior. This can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of stretch marks?

• Indented skin lines.
• Changes in skin color (red, pink, blue, black, purple, or brown).
• Skin gradually becomes shiny and develops streaks of silver or white.
• Itching.
• Skin irritation.

What causes stretch marks?

Sudden changes in skin size can cause elastin and collagen to deteriorate. Elastin maintains skin flexibility, while collagen provides structure, strength, and support. When these proteins degrade, stretch marks can form during the skin's healing process.

Management and Treatment

How are stretch marks treated?

Treating stretch marks is generally challenging, and while treatments can enhance their appearance, complete removal may not be possible. It's best to address stretch marks when new for optimal results, as older and deeper marks may be more difficult to treat.

Treatment options include:

• Laser skin resurfacing
• Dermabrasion
• Microneedling
• Retinol

Prevention

While there's no guaranteed method to prevent stretch marks, staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine can help reduce their likelihood.

Note

Stretch marks are a common condition that can affect anyone. Despite how common they are, you may not like how stretch marks look on your body. Talk to your healthcare provider about how you can reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Together, you can decide what treatment is best for you.