Stretch Marks: Types, Causes, & How To Manage And Reduce Them

Love your stretch marks and embrace your skin with care and confidence.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Zeel Gandhi, BAMS

Dr. Zeel Gandhi is an Ayurvedic doctor with 7 years of experience and an expert at providing holistic solutions for health problems encompassing Internal medicine, Panchakarma, Yoga, Ayurvedic Nutrition, and formulations. She graduated as a... more

Written by Anjali Sayee, Associate Editor Experience: 7 years

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy ... more

Edited by Ramona Sinha, Editor Experience: 11 years

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Beng... more

Fact-checked by Swathi E, Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer Experience: 2.5 years

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over two years of experience in writing on health and lifestyle. She also has a... more

• Feb 8, 2024

Stretch Marks: Types, Causes, & How To Manage And Reduce Them

Image: Shutterstock

Stretch marks are nothing to be ashamed of. They are a mark of how much you and your body have grown. There are many causes of stretch marks, like pregnancy, weight changes, and genetics. These marks appear as thin, lengthy, flowing lines on the skin. They start out crimson and progressively turn white. Stretch marks are permanent, but you can prevent the appearance of new ones. In this article, we will go through how stretch marks occur, their different types, and how to deal with them. Keep reading!

In This Article

What Are Stretch Marks And How Are They Formed?

Stretch marks appear when the skin is stretched and ripped at the dermis level, the second and the thickest skin layer, beneath the epidermis (top layer) (1). They are also known as striae distensae. They appear as reddish-purple and white lines and often lead to collagen and elastin (fibers responsible for skin elasticity) loss (2). These marks are mainly found on the thighs, breasts, abdomen, knees, calves, and hips in women. They can be classified into two types striae rubrae (the acute stage) and striae albae (the chronic stage) (3).

Types Of Stretch Marks

1. Striae Rubrae

Image: Shutterstock

This is the acute stage of stretch marks and the early indication of overstretched skin. It is characterized by red flares and stretched lines developing perpendicular to the direction of the skin tension. These early stretch marks often itch.

2. Striae Albae

Image: Shutterstock

his is the chronic or mature stage of stretch mark development. The lines appear faded, pale, wrinkled, and hypopigmented. The stretch marks develop a scar-like appearance and become more prominent at this stage. They are permanent.

The causes of stretch marks are associated with tissue stretching. Several factors may increase your likelihood of developing them (3). Lets take a look at them below.

Causes Of Stretch Marks

Anyone can develop stretch marks at any point due to the following factors:

Weight Gain Or Loss: Sudden and extreme weight loss or gain may affect skin elasticity and lead to stretch mark formation.

Adolescence: Sudden growth spurts may occur during puberty and adolescence. This may stretch the skin in specific areas and leave marks.

Family History: If you have a family history of stretch marks, you too may develop them.

Chronic Steroid Use: Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation and are often used to treat conditions like dermatitis and eczema. However, steroids may affect the skin’s collagen levels and lead to stretch marks.

Cushing’s Syndrome: Health conditions like Cushing’s syndrome increase your body’s cortisol levels and lead to stretch marks.

Marfan Syndrome: This condition weakens the skin tissues. As a result, the skin loses elasticity and develops stretch marks.

Pregnancy: The weight gain and loss during and after pregnancy leads to stretch marks.

Now you know the causes, let’s look at how you can manage stretch marks. However, remember that medical treatment and home remedies may work on early stretch marks (the reddish and purple marks) and not on white stretch marks.

How To Manage Stretch Marks

1. Medical Treatments

Medical treatments like laser therapy, acid peel treatments, collagen injections, laser lipolysis, radiofrequency techniques, and microdermabrasion are suggested for fading stretch marks. These targeted treatments reduce deep discolorations on the skin or remove the top layer of damaged skin. They may reduce the appearance of stretch marks but not eliminate them. Using topical creams may increase skin elasticity and boost collagen production and help fade stretch marks.

Your dermatologists may recommend one of the following medical treatments to help improve the appearance of stretch marks:

Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic procedures such as laser therapy use infrared or red light beams to stimulate collagen production and increase blood flow to the area to help improve the appearance of stretch marks (4).

Chemical Peel

Salicylic acid and retinol peels may help exfoliate damaged skin and promote collagen production to minimize the appearance of stretch marks (5).

Tretinoin

Tretinoin is a potent derivative of vitamin A that aids in skin renewal and improves elasticity to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. (3). You may include it in your routine after consulting with your dermatologist.

2. Natural Remedies

You may try natural remedies to reduce early stretch marks. Moisturizing ingredients like plant oils (shea and cocoa butters, coconut, almond, and olive oils) may boost skin elasticity and collagen production to reduce stretch marks. However, the efficacy of natural remedies for stretch marks is purely based on anecdotal evidence. Many have claimed that almond oil, aloe vera, sugar, coconut, and castor oils prevented stretch marks formation and improved early stretch marks.

Quick Tip

Incorporate gentle exfoliation into your skin care routine to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover.

Here are some general care tips for you to follow to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

General Care Tips To Reduce Stretch Marks

Use topical vitamin A (retinoid) creams and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin. Moisturization is crucial to maintain skin elasticity and decrease the chances of developing stretch marks.

Use anti-stretch marks creams. They contain moisturizing ingredients and are easily available. For best results, use them as instructed on the package.

Avoid crash diets or heavy binges. Crash diets may cause extreme weight loss, while binges can cause immediate weight gain.

Try to work on stretch marks when they are at their initial stage and appear reddish-purple. Early stretch marks respond well to treatment.

Avoid using topical creams and steroids without consulting a dermatologist. They can suggest the best treatment as per your skin type and type of stretch marks.

Drink plenty of water to ensure your body and skin stay hydrated.

Quick Tip

Always use sunscreen before stepping outside. While it may not eliminate stretchmarks, it may protect from UV rays.

Here are some symptoms to look out for when checking for stretch marks.

Symptoms And Diagnosis

The symptoms of stretch marks may differ depending on how long you have developed them. You may look for:

Red, pinkish, blue, and purple streaks on the body.

Long lesions on the hips, abdomen, breasts, arms, and calves.

Red lines fade and become white. The dermatologist may ask for additional tests to ensure they are not a symptom of other medical conditions like Cushing’s syndrome and Marfan syndrome.

When To See A Doctor

If you are concerned about the appearance of stretch marks, and if they do not respond to home remedies, consult a dermatologist. They can help determine the exact reasons for your stretch marks and suggest treatments to effectively reduce them. Moreover, before going for medical treatments, it is crucial to discuss the outcomes with the doctor.

Even with the right treatment, it may take some time for the stretch marks to fade away.

How Long Does It Take To Fade Stretch Marks?

With the right treatment and proper skin care, early stretch marks may lighten in 7-9 months. However, they may not be eliminated but may fade over time.

Stretch marks develop when the skin is stretched beyond its capacity which results in the collagen and elastin fibers tearing and the development of red stretch marks. Some of the causes of stretch marks include puberty, weight gain or loss, pregnancy, or medical conditions. You can opt for medical treatments such as collagen injections, laser therapy, or chemical peels to treat early stretch marks. You can also use simp[le ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, or olive oil to boost collagen production, hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Consult a doctor before you opt for any medical treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can stress cause stretch marks?

Yes, physical stress on the skin can cause stretch marks.

What foods give you stretch marks?

Eating certain foods cannot cause stretch marks. However, you can consume lean proteins, vegetables, and fruits and avoid consuming processed foods and sugar to maintain healthy skin.

Do stretch marks go away with weight loss?

No, stretch marks do not go away with weight loss.

Key Takeaways

Stretch marks are the reddish-purple and white lines that appear when the skin is ripped and stretched just beneath the surface.
They can be a result of weight gain, genetics, or pregnancy and are mostly found on the thighs, breasts, and abdomen.
The best way to fade early stretch marks is to use an anti-stretch marks cream and keep your skin moisturized with vitamin A or hyaluronic acid.

Embracing one’s stretch marks can foster self-acceptance and body positivity. The video below discusses types of stretch marks and how they occur. Learn about their different apperances and the differences between them from a doctor. Check it out!

References

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