Stretch Marks

A Stretch mark is a type of scar that develops when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The abrupt change causes the collagen and elastin, which support our skin, to rupture. As the skin heals, stretch marks may appear.


Stretch marks are also called striae, striae distensae (SD), striae atrophicans, and striae gravidarum. 

Stretch marks typically appear as bands of parallel lines on your skin. These lines are a different color and texture than your normal skin, and they range from purple to bright pink to light gray. When you touch stretch marks with your fingers, you might feel a slight ridge or indentation on your skin. Sometimes, stretch marks feel itchy or sore.

Stretch marks are indented streaks that often appear on the abdomen, upper arms, breasts, shoulders, hips, back, buttocks and thighs. You can have stretch marks just about anywhere, but they are most common in these areas.

Stretch marks aren't dangerous, and they often disappear over time. These lines commonly appear during or after pregnancy or after a sudden change in your weight. They also tend to occur in adolescents who are rapidly growing. 

Stretch marks also occur as a result of an increase of cortisone in your system.
Cortisone is a hormone naturally produced by your adrenal glands. However, having too much of this hormone can make your skin lose its elasticity.


Corticosteroid creams, lotions, and pills can cause stretch marks too by decreasing the skin's ability to stretch.

The following put you at greater risk for developing stretch marks:

• Being a woman

• Being overweight 

• Being pregnant 

• Being caucasian (having pale skin)

• Having a history of delivering large babies or twins

• Having dramatic weight loss or gain 

• Having a family history of stretch marks 

• Bodybuilding 

Stretch marks often fade with time and there are really no treatments that can make it disappear completely but there are treatments that can improve their appearance. 

There are many products and procedures that promise to remove stretch marks, but there aren't any that have proven effective so far.
Moisturizing your skin may help to relieve the itchiness of stretch marks. Applying self-tanning lotion to your stretch marks is a temporary way to minimize the difference in color between your normal skin and your stretch marks.


Medical procedures and prescription medicines aren't guaranteed to cure stretch marks, and they can be expensive.


A skin doctor or plastic surgeon can also use lasers or other treatments to help fade the marks.

There's no way to prevent stretch marks completely, even if you regularly use lotions and creams. However, keeping your weight in a healthy range by eating well and exercising regularly can help to prevent stretch marks caused by sudden weight gain or loss.