Learn what causes stretch marks and how to prevent them
A common misconception about stretch marks is that they are the result of weight gain or pregnancy. While these changes can certainly cause stretch marks, they can also be caused by other types of changes in the body, including growing taller or more muscular. Hormonal fluctuations or changes to your skincare routine may also affect the appearance of stretch marks.
While the skin can stretch as your body grows, its elasticity doesn't adapt at the same rate as the rest of your body, causing stretch marks to form. Here, we will explore what causes stretch marks and what to do about them.
What are stretch marks?
Your skin tissue is your body’s largest organ. We demand a lot from our skin — it’s often being exposed to the elements, sloughing off dead cells, and stretching or shrinking, depending on our other physical conditions. They are extremely common and may be due to any number of normal changes. Stretch marks can appear somewhat suddenly and often fade over time.
Stretch marks, or striae distensae, are the result of skin stretching more rapidly than normal. Your body’s stretch marks, which can look like stripes or streaks, are formed when the skin’s elastic fibers are torn.
These stretch marks vary in color, from dark brown or red to white or even a shade of your natural skin color. They can be pronounced or slight. If you run your fingers over the stretch marks, your skin may feel slightly raised.
Many people develop stretch marks, and some are more likely to develop stretch marks than others. Common locations for stretch marks include the upper arms, breasts, waist and abdomen, and thighs. The striations don’t hurt, but many people don’t like their appearance.
Causes of stretch marks
Stretch marks can occur for any number of reasons, including:
- Rapid Growth: Adolescents who experience significant growth or development over a relatively short period may see stretch marks appear as a result.
- Weight Gain: Stretch marks can appear in parts of the body that carry weight, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, and arms.
- Pregnancy: Pregnant women often get stretch marks around the belly, hips, and breasts.
- Hormonal changes: Increases in hormones such as cortisone or cortisol can cause stretch marks, as they are known to weaken the elastic fibers in the skin.
- Muscle building: Training or weight lifting may cause stretch marks in areas of the body gaining muscle mass.
- Corticosteroid Use: Long-term use of corticosteroid creams and lotions can reduce collagen levels in the skin, increasing the risk of stretch marks.
- Medical Conditions: Certain conditions, like Marfan syndrome or Cushing's syndrome, which affect the body's ability to produce collagen and maintain skin elasticity, can lead to stretch marks
Why some people are more prone to getting stretch marks
It can be difficult to know in advance who will get stretch marks and when they will appear, but your family history may be a good indicator that you, too, could be predisposed to getting them.
Women are especially prone to developing stretch marks. A 2021 cross-sectional study of 512 participants aged 15 to 25 years old demonstrated that stretch mark prevalence is higher in females, tobacco smokers, participants with a family history of stretch marks, and those with a higher body mass index (BMI). Other risk factors include pregnancy and weight gain or weight loss, although those at a healthy weight (according to the BMI) may still develop stretch marks.
Preventing and treating stretch marks
Scientists have not identified whether it is possible to prevent stretch marks. However, it may be advisable to consume a diet rich in nutrients that promote skin health, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. Staying hydrated can also help, as dehydrated skin is more prone to tearing.
Treating stretch marks isn’t necessary; however, some people may wish to try to minimize the appearance of stretch marks. Though there are many stretch mark creams and lotions available, research has not found topical treatments to be effective. They may, however, help with some of the itching associated with early stretch marks.
Some cosmetic procedures may help with stretch marks. This can include chemical peels, laser treatments, micro-needling, and other minimally invasive procedures. These treatments encourage the regeneration of collagen in the affected areas of the skin. The effectiveness of each treatment depends on the age of your stretch marks and how severe they are.
Often, the skin heals naturally and returns to its original appearance. While stretch marks might never disappear completely, they often fade substantially.
Making lifestyle adjustments
If you're concerned with your body's natural reaction to your lifestyle, there are some steps you can consider taking to reduce the chance of stretch marks.
If you are concerned that your stretch marks may be due to rapid weight gain, talk to your doctor. Changes to your diet, hormonal shifts, stress, and other factors may be at play, and a medical professional can help you identify what may be causing you to put on excess weight so you can slow or stop the appearance of stretch marks.
If you think your stretch marks may be due to muscle gain, consider adjusting your workout regimen to reduce the rapid growth of your muscles. Taking a slow and steady approach can give your skin more time to grow and accommodate your larger muscle volume.
Sometimes, regardless of how much effort you put into carefully planning out your new lifestyle, you may still find yourself with a few stretch marks. This is because your body adjusts at its own pace, and this isn't always a predictable variable. Skin products like aloe and other lotions can reduce redness, and there are over-the-counter stretch mark medications and salves that can accelerate the healing process.
An additional lifestyle change you can take to become comfortable in your skin and its natural changes is to consider talking to a mental healthcare professional. Not only can they provide guidance on seeing your stretch marks as a developmental result rather than a negative side effect, but they can also discuss potential underlying insecurities.
Embracing natural change
Developing stretch marks is human. It’s important to not only understand the natural changes your body goes through but to embrace them. It's understandable to feel frustrated, especially when you're working hard toward improving your self-esteem and self-image. Whether you seek out a dermatologist for medical advice or you're interested in healing your stretch marks in a natural way, it can help to acknowledge that they're a part of you. They can remind you of the physical work your body has performed to bring you joy in life.
It may help to think of stretch marks like acne marks or faded scars — they arrive on your person fairly easily, but it takes some time for them to fade away entirely. If you regularly use moisturizer, lotion, or other skin products, you may already understand how fickle your skin can be to subtle changes. Think of stretch marks as a longer-lasting reaction to your body's subtle change in growth.
When it comes to what many people consider a "blemish," it can be difficult to jump over mental hurdles that are telling you negative things about yourself. For many people, this is rooted in anxiety, reduced self-image, and difficulty with self-esteem. Just telling someone “It’ll get better soon," is likely not enough to help them come to terms with their body's changes.
Instead, whether you're finding stretch marks or someone you're close to has started developing insecurities about them, try to change the way that you talk to yourself about them. What will they look like in the future? How can you work towards improving your personal viewpoint?
When to seek help for body image issues
Stretch marks and other natural bodily changes during adolescence can sometimes contribute to a lack of self-confidence or other emotional and mental challenges. If you're struggling with the discovery of new stretch marks or are concerned about bodily changes, it may help to learn to embrace this as a natural occurrence with the support of an online therapist.
Therapy services and benefits are not strictly limited to those who have been diagnosed with mental health conditions. If you're struggling with self-image, confidence, or coming to terms with change, therapists can be an asset to understanding your inner voice.
For people who feel especially distressed about their body image, online therapy may be a more appealing option because it reduces the need to travel to a therapist’s office. You can also schedule online therapy appointments at times that are convenient for your schedule, reducing the need to compromise time you’d prefer to spend dedicated to work, your family, your social life, or physical activity.
A recent study adds to research that online therapy is effective in assisting people with body image and self-esteem concerns. Using an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for perfectionism (ICBT-P) approach, study leaders found that among the 31 participants (of which 28 were women), ICBT-P was effective in reducing dysmorphic concerns, selective attention toward appearance-based stimuli, and body image disturbances.
Takeaway
Improving your self-esteem doesn't have to be a lonely road — with resources from mental health platforms like BetterHelp, you can find an experienced therapist to help you address body image concerns and cultivate a positive self-image.
What are the main causes of stretch marks?
The most common causes of stretch marks, or striae, include:
- Pregnancy
- Fast growth during puberty
- Obesity and rapid weight gain
- Side effects of prescription medicine such as cortisone
- Cushing syndrome (excess cortisol due to hormonal medications or pituitary gland dysfunction)
- Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa.
In rare cases, certain kinds of surgery may lead to stretch marks as a side effect. Some uncommon genetic conditions such as Marfan syndrome may also be associated with these marks.
How can I prevent stretch marks?
Science has found very few effective strategies for preventing stretch marks. Many popular home remedies like cocoa butter or aloe vera have failed to show any effect in research trials. Some medical professionals are skeptical of the idea that prevention is possible at all.
That said, some researchers have reported mild but beneficial effects for a few topical management approaches, including:
- Extract of Centella asiatica (Pennywort)
- Daily massage with olive oil or bitter almond oil
- Stretch mark creams containing hyaluronic acid
The evidence for these treatments remains relatively weak. It may be best not to count on them to prevent the formation of striae, but they may help to make early stretch marks less noticeable. A less expensive but more temporary option is to conceal striae temporarily with makeup or self tanner.
Another study noted that pregnant women were more likely to gain stretch marks if they had lower age or a higher body mass index (BMI). Maintaining a healthy weight for your body type might lower the odds of forming striae during periods of weight change such as puberty or pregnancy. Lifestyle factors like regular exercise and a nutritious diet may also help avoid obesity or abrupt weight loss, both of which are common causes of stretch marks.
Are stretch marks good or bad?
From a medical perspective, stretch marks aren’t inherently good or bad. They may cause some people to feel discomfort with their appearance, but they’re typically not signs of poor health. According to some estimates, around 80% of pregnant women will experience some stretch marks.
In many cases, people judge themselves far more harshly for physical blemishes like striae than others will. Even if you’re worried that your stretch marks will seem unattractive or odd-looking, you may be surprised how little other people care about them.
Instead of looking for ways to get rid of stretch marks, some people find it helpful to regard them as positive attributes. Viewed a certain way, stretch marks can be seen as markers of maturity, mementos of the transformative experience of childbearing, or reminders of past challenges you’ve overcome. Some people can come to regard their stretch marks as life-affirming and beautiful tributes to their life experiences.
Are stretch marks caused by stress?
There’s not much research on the possible relationship between striae and psychological stress. It’s possible there’s a connection, since high levels of cortisol — a hormone that’s often produced more during periods of stress — can contribute to the formation of stretch marks. This is why striae are commonly seen in Cushing syndrome, a condition marked by excessive cortisol.
At least one study has found a direct correlation between cortisol levels and stretch mark formation in male athletes. However, this study did not measure mental stress directly. More research will be needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn about the relationship between psychological factors and stretch marks.
Can stretch marks go away?
Stretch marks don’t usually disappear completely. They’re a form of scarring created by torn skin tissue, and like other types of scars, they typically won’t heal completely. Many stretch marks do tend to fade and become less noticeable over time, though. As their coloration becomes less intense, they don’t stand out from the skin as much.
Some kinds of dermatological treatments may also reduce the visibility of striae. They likely won’t get rid of stretch marks entirely, though. They can also be fairly expensive, and many insurance providers will not cover them. These treatments also appear to work better on early stretch marks than on older ones.
The following methods have shown some promise in research trials:
- Microneedling — making many tiny punctures in the skin to stimulate collagen production.
- Energy-based treatments, including laser pulses, radio waves, and infrared light, all of which may help break up scar tissue to smooth out stretch marks.
Some people use cosmetic strategies like self tanner to hide stretch marks. These solutions can temporarily make these blemishes less visible, but they won’t get rid of them for good, and the affected skin will still have a different texture.
Can stretch marks go away when you lose weight?
Although stretch marks may result from weight gain, they aren’t likely to disappear if you lose weight afterward. The lines are caused by tiny tears in the skin, and weight loss doesn’t undo this damage. As noted above, overly rapid weight loss can be a cause of stretch marks in its own right. Losing weight may also sometimes cause stretch marks that were originally caused by weight gain to become more visible.
How long do stretch marks last?
Stretch marks are usually permanent, though they often become less noticeable over time. Early stretch marks are often more brightly colored, sometimes appearing reddish-brown or purple. With time, they often lose pigment and fade to a pale white color. The striae may also take on a different texture, becoming indented rather than raised and bumpy.
Do stretch marks mean weight gain or loss?
Stretch marks aren’t always caused solely by weight changes. An excess of cortisol or similar hormones may play a significant role, as seen in Cushing syndrome. These molecules may weaken the skin’s collagen, which may make stretch marks and other skin injuries more likely.
This may have internal causes, such as genetic disorders or tumors affecting the hormonal system. It can also be a side effect of corticosteroid medications or the use of anabolic steroids as an aid to bodybuilding.
Even without these medications, rapid muscle growth can also sometimes lead to stretch marks as your skin stretches out. Though this may not be what most people picture when they think of “rapid weight gain”, it can still lead to excessive tension on the skin.
Do stretch marks happen when you gain or lose weight?
Though the weight gain associated with pregnancy, puberty, and obesity is the most common cause of stretch marks, you can also get them if you lose weight rapidly. Any abrupt change in the amount of tension on your skin may result in striae. The presence of stretch marks alone may not be a good indicator of whether an individual has gained or lost body mass.
If you’re trying to lose weight or bulk up and you want to avoid stretch marks, it may be best to aim for slow, steady progress. Shifting your body shape gradually can decrease your odds of stressing and tearing your skin.
What should I eat to avoid stretch marks?
There’s not much evidence that eating certain foods can have a defensive effect against stretch marks. But sticking with a healthy diet may help you avoid the rapid shifts in weight that commonly result in striae. Ensuring that your body has the necessary nutrients to build and repair connective tissue might also reduce the risk of skin damage.
Many health experts believe that a healthy eating approach known as the Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. This diet is characterized by:
- High consumption of vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and cereals
- Replacing butter and vegetable oils with olive oil wherever possible
- Moderate fish and poultry intake
- Little consumption of red meat, refined sugars, and dairy
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