Are stretch marks normal?

What do normal stretch marks look like?

Stretch marks, also called striae, are narrow bands of scar tissue that form when skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The sudden change breaks collagen and elastin, the proteins that support skin and help it stretch. New marks can look pink, red, purple, brown or black. They can feel slightly raised and itchy at first, then become paler and slightly sunken. Common locations include the abdomen, breasts, hips, thighs, buttocks, upper arms and lower back.12345

Why do some people get them?

Anyone can get stretch marks. Common triggers include a teenage growth spurt, pregnancy, rapid weight gain or loss, and rapid muscle growth during weight training. A family history increases your chance of developing them. Long term use of corticosteroid creams or medicines such as prednisone can also contribute. Stretch marks are not contagious, so skin contact cannot pass them to someone else.25

Will they go away on their own?

Stretch marks generally take six to twelve months to fade, but becoming less noticeable is different from disappearing completely. Like other scars, they can remain after their colour has faded. Older marks often feel like shallow grooves when you run a finger across them. Leaving them alone is a valid option. Treatment is for changing their appearance, not because the marks themselves damage your physical health.256

Do stretch mark creams actually help?

Many creams promise to prevent or remove stretch marks, giving the packaging rather more confidence than the results. There is very little evidence that most creams and lotions work. Cocoa butter, olive oil, almond oil and vitamin E have not reliably prevented or faded marks in studies. Hyaluronic acid and prescription tretinoin can help make newer marks less noticeable; mature marks are harder to treat. No single treatment works for everyone.125

How should you try a topical treatment?

1. 1Check with your doctor before treating stretch marks if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use retinoid creams during pregnancy.
2. 2Choose treatment while the marks are new rather than waiting until they are pale and mature.
3. 3Massage the product gently into the marks and use it daily as directed. Any visible improvement takes weeks, not a few applications.

A dermatologist can discuss laser treatment, microdermabrasion or microneedling if the appearance bothers you. Treatments aim to make stretch marks less visible, not erase them, a distinction that gets less space on the front of a jar. Procedures can cause redness, swelling or changes in skin colour. Ask about likely improvement, recovery and side effects before choosing one.1245

When should you see a doctor?

Book an appointment if stretch marks appear without a clear explanation, such as pregnancy, growth or rapid weight change. Tell the doctor when they started and which medicines or steroid creams you use. Large marks together with a rounded, puffy face, extra fat around the neck and shoulders, or more fat on the chest and abdomen with slim limbs warrant assessment for Cushing's syndrome, a condition involving too much cortisol. Also seek help if the marks cover a large area or distress about their appearance is affecting daily life.123