Stretch Marks

Item: Stretch Marks
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Last Updated: 15 January 2024

Stretch marks are scars that appear inside your skin when the skin is stretched rapidly beyond the limits of its natural elasticity. Stretch marks are created when the middle layer of skin, the dermis, is stretched far enough to make it tear.

Stretch marks commonly occur on the abdomen, the breasts, the hips and buttocks, and the thighs, as these are the areas that typically grow the most during rapid weight gain or pregnancy. However, stretch marks can also occur on other parts of the body, including the chest, arms, and shoulders, if these parts experience growth more rapid than the dermis can handle.

The general medical term for stretch marks is striae. The most common type of stretch marks are striae distensae, stretch marks caused by the skin being distended. Striae gravidarum are stretch marks that occur during pregnancy. Striae rubrae are red or purple stretch marks, and striae albae are stretch marks that have faded to white or silver.

TWEAKMENTS FOR
Stretch Marks

SKINCARE FOR
Stretch Marks

DEVICES FOR
Stretch Marks

What causes stretch marks?

Stretch marks usually occur when your body grows rapidly, such as during puberty, or puts on weight quickly, such as during pregnancy. Stretch marks can also occur if you bulk up your muscles rapidly, such as by working out with heavy weights and taking anabolic steroids.

Your skin consists of three main layers:

The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin. It is relatively thin but flexible, and it forms a barrier to protect your body from the environment.
The dermis is the middle layer of skin. This is a thick layer containing connective tissue, nerve endings, blood vessels and the bases of hair follicles.
Also known as the subcutaneous layer, the hypodermis contains fat and connective tissue. This layer stores fat for energy, cushioning, and insulation.

Stretch marks occur when rapid growth stretches your dermis too far, causing it to tear. Your epidermis and hypodermis are flexible enough to accommodate more stretching than the dermis can, so the epidermis and hypodermis do not tear even when the dermis tears between them.

Do stretch marks go away?

Stretch marks normally fade after a few weeks or months, but they do not go away entirely. Stretch marks are typically an angry red or purple at first, so they stand out, especially against pale skin. The colour comes from inflammation of the dermis. Over time, the inflammation subsides and the blood vessels in the dermis contract, causing the stretch marks to fade to a white or silvery colour and making them less noticeable. Even after fading, stretch marks may retain a different texture from the skin around them, so you may be able to feel them as well as see them.

Stretch Marks

How can I get rid of stretch marks?

You may not be able to get rid of stretch marks altogether, but you should be able to reduce their visibility, and perhaps reduce any difference between their texture and that of the surrounding skin, by using topical treatments or by having tweakments.

What topical treatments may help reduce the appearance of stretch marks?

Topical treatments that may help reduce stretch marks include the following five treatments. You apply such treatments to the epidermis, but they penetrate the epidermis to reach the dermis and take effect on it.

Retinoid creams. Retinoid creams stimulate your skin to produce more collagen and produce new skin cells. Retinoid creams tend to be more helpful for new stretch marks than for old stretch marks, but you must not use them during pregnancy.
Hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid hydrates your skin and makes it more elastic.
Glycolic acid. Glycolic acid helps increase collagen production, so it may reduce the appearance of stretch marks. However, you may need to use prescription-strength glycolic acid rather than over-the-counter strength.
Vitamin E oil. Vitamin E oil is believed to increase your skin’s elasticity and to reduce the visibility of scars.
Shea butter and cocoa butter. Shea butter and cocoa butter are natural moisturizers that help hydrate your skin and may make it more elastic.

What tweakments may help reduce the appearance of stretch marks?

The following tweakments may help reduce stretch marks:

Laser therapy. To reduce the appearance of stretch marks, dermatologists use various types of lasers, depending on the age and colour of the stretch marks and your skin type. For example, fractional CO2 lasers and fractional non-ablative lasers can stimulate your skin to produce collagen and renew its surface. Pulsed dye lasers can reduce the redness of new stretch marks by targeting blood vessels. Alexandrite lasers can be good for treating older stretch marks. And excimer lasers can stimulate melanin production to make old, light-coloured stretch marks less visible.

microneedling. Exfoliating the top layer of skin stimulates the skin underneath to renew itself. Also called medical needling, pokes tiny holes in your skin to stimulate your body’s healing response and make it produce more collagen and elastin.

Chemical peels. A chemical peel removes the top layer of the epidermis, causing new skin to grow. The new skin should be smoother and less wrinkled, lessening the visibility of the stretch marks.

Radiofrequency treatments. Radiofrequency treatment directs radio waves through the dermis to stimulate the epidermis to produce more collagen and to remodel the dermal tissues.

High-intensity focused ultrasound. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can deliver focused ultrasound energy to the dermis and the hypodermis, stimulating natural healing, collagen production, and regeneration.

How can I avoid getting stretch marks?

You may not be able to avoid getting stretch marks completely if you grow rapidly, put on weight quickly, or get pregnant. But you can take the following six steps to lessen your chances of getting stretch marks and to reduce their severity:

Avoid rapid weight gain. Aim to maintain a steady weight. If you gain weight, aim to do so gradually rather than quickly.
Keep your skin hydrated and moisturised. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated, and use moisturiser when needed, to maintain the skin’s elasticity.
Eat a healthy diet. Make sure your food includes a full range of vitamins and minerals to keep your skin healthy. Vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E are important for your skin, as are silicon and zinc.
Exercise regularly. Exercise helps your circulation, which is vital for keeping your skin elastic.
Protect your skin with sunscreen. Apply sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. This will help keep your skin healthy and stretchy.
Use anti–stretch mark creams and oils during pregnancy. If you become pregnant, you can use anti–stretch mark creams and oils on areas of the body likely to suffer stretch marks. Consult your doctor for advice.

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