Stretch Marks: Causes, Treatment, Prevention

When do stretch marks appear?

Stretch marks appear when the skin is stretched too fast for the underlying connective tissue to keep up with the body’s growth.

Who gets stretch marks?

Typically, people immediately think of pregnancy when they hear the phrase “stretch mark”. And yes, pregnancy is one of the most common causes for stretch marks, as the growing baby stretches the belly while hormone changes weaken the connective tissue. For this reason, up to 90% of women get stretch marks from pregnancy^[2,3] .

How prone you are to getting stretch marks seems to be influenced by genetics and hormones^[1,3].  Increased steroid levels due to medication, or certain diseases, such as Cushing’s, Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome might also weaken the connective tissue and increase the risk of stretch marks.

Do men get stretch marks?

Yes, over 25% of stretch mark sufferers are men (HRA internal). Several scenarios, such as growth spurts during puberty, sudden weight gain, or a quick increase in muscle mass can cause stretch marks on people.

How do stretch marks age?

The appearance of stretch marks depends on skin type and colour. On pale skin, fresh stretch marks usually appear as red or pink to purplish-blue streaks. Here the skin may appear very thin or slightly elevated and might be itchy. During this phase, inflammation might occur^[1] . Over time, as the cleft in the connective tissue heals, they become more scar-like: thinner, paler, and rather indented.

How can I prevent stretch marks?

The best way to reduce the risk of stretch marks, including during pregnancy, is to maintain a healthy weight and to keep your skin hydrated and supple. You can support this drinking plenty of water, eating a balanced diet, rich in zinc and vitamins C and E to support skin regeneration^[4], and through regular exercise to stay active and keep up your circulation.

You should additionally apply heavy moisturizers to directly support your skin’s hydration.

Prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy

With a baby growing in your belly, gaining weight and girth is hardly avoidable. Therefore, stretch marks tend to develop during the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, caused by stretching of the connective tissue which is weakened by hormonal changes.

You can help prevent stretch marks appearing when pregnant by directly supporting the skin of your belly, buttocks, and breasts. Apply oils or creams containing soothing and softening ingredients, such as bitter almond oil, olive oil, shea butter or vitamin E oil several times per day. In case of use on the breasts, please make sure that there is no product on nipples before breastfeeding.

If you ask yourself if your stretch marks might ever go away, unfortunately the answer is no. Stretch marks do not usually completely disappear, and there is no product that will completely remove them. But don’t give up just yet! They do usually fade with time, especially when properly cared for. And the earlier you start, the better the result!

The best approach to stretch marks is prevention. Skin that is well hydrated and supple has more elasticity and can respond better to stresses which could cause stretch marks. But don’t lose hope if it’s too late for prevention: there are several options that can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. The most suitable stretch mark care may depend on the age of the stretch marks.

Other care options

Other forms of care for stretch marks are available, though these won’t get rid of them entirely. You can undergo light or laser treatments, or a treatment called microdermabrasion. This removes a thin layer of skin from affected areas, which can improve their appearance. These aren’t available on the NHS so you would need to pay for them privately^[5].

Summary

Stretch marks can be a source of concern, particularly in their appearance and effects on your self-esteem. But they’re a perfectly natural part of life. Using the right skincare products can reduce their appearance and give you a boost.

References