Stretch marks: Why they happen and how to treat them

Stretch marks, or scar-like lines that appear when the skin stretches and shrinks rapidly, are very common. Indeed, data suggest that as many as 90 percent of people have stretch marks.

Also called striae, stretch marks often appear following pregnancy, puberty, and fluctuations in weight.

Stretch marks are completely harmless, and there is no medical need to treat them. Some people are perfectly comfortable with their stretch marks and choose to embrace them. That’s great! But others may not like their appearance and strive to get rid of them. Doing so can result in greater comfort with how they look, potentially bolstering self-esteem.

Whatever your relationship with stretch marks, read on to learn what causes them, who is at risk, and (if you choose to) how to treat them.

What Stretch Marks Look Like

Not all stretch marks look the same. They can vary depending on where they appear on your body, how long you’ve had them, and what caused them.

Stretch marks may be pink, red, blue, purple, or dark brown, depending on your skin color.

They may appear as bright streaks or bands on the skin that fade to a lighter color. Sometimes stretch marks appear to be indented or sunken.

When they first develop, stretch marks tend to be slightly raised and can feel itchy.

They may appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks, or other places on the body. It’s common for stretch marks to fade over time. But they may never disappear entirely. Stretch Marks: Causes and Risk Factors Stretch marks are the result of abrupt stretching and shrinking of the skin.

“Stretch marks can occur when the skin stretches out so rapidly that the collagen and elastin, essential proteins that provide strength and elasticity to the skin, break,” says Susan Massick, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Westerville.

During the skin’s healing process, stretch marks may show up.

Common risk factors include: for

Steroid use

stretch marks

Pregnancy

Growth spurts during puberty Rapid weight gain or loss Bodybuilding or weight lifting Breast enlargement surgery

Stretch marks after using steroids isn’t only a problem for bodybuilders or weightlifters.

“[It’s also] true for prescription steroids when used to treat medical issues, such as in connective tissue disease and certain arthritis conditions,” Dr. Massick says.

Topical steroids used to treat skin conditions like eczema can also lead to stretch marks, particularly when applied to areas like the armpit and inner thighs and groin.Repeated use of steroids can cause a thinning of the skin, which can lead to stretch marks, notes Amy Kassouf, MD, a Cleveland Clinic dermatologist in Twinsburg, Ohio.

Certain genetic disorders can also increase the risk of stretch marks. Striae are common in people with Cushing’s syndrome, a disorder in which the body produces too much of the stress hormone cortisol.

Prolonged elevated cortisol levels can weaken the elastic fibers in the skin, leading to stretch marks, Dr. Kassouf explains.

Marfan syndrome

and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, two disorders of the body’s connective tissues, both weaken the skin, which can lead to stretch marks.

Treatment for Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are harmless to your physical health and will often fade over time without any treatment. Your stretch marks may make you feel uncomfortable with your appearance. However, it’s important to note that there is no magic bullet to get rid of stretch marks.

“With any of the treatments available, none of them are a slam dunk,” Kassouf says.

Still, if you wish to minimize the appearance of stretch marks, you might want to try the following options.

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