How common are stretch marks?

How common are they at different stages of life?

These are estimates for particular groups, not one percentage that applies to everyone. Stretch marks also occur with rapid weight gain or loss and rapid muscle growth during weight training. Having a family member with stretch marks increases your likelihood of developing them. Not everyone gets them, even during the same kinds of body changes.5

What do stretch marks look like?

A stretch mark is a type of scar that forms when skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The sudden change damages collagen and elastin, the structures that support skin. Marks appear as lines or streaks, most commonly on the tummy, breasts, chest, upper arms, legs, bottom, hips or back. New marks can be pink, red, purple, brown or black. They often start darker and become lighter over time.15

Are stretch marks normal during pregnancy?

Most pregnant women develop stretch marks on their belly, and some also develop them on their breasts, hips or bottom. Belly marks appear as the baby grows; breast marks appear as the breasts enlarge to prepare for breastfeeding. Marks can also develop on the upper thighs. They are not harmful and gradually fade after birth. Lotions and oils can smell and feel good without preventing stretch marks, so a pleasant bathroom shelf is not a prevention plan.46

Will they fade without treatment?

Stretch marks usually become less visible with time, but they are permanent scars and can remain visible. Mature marks often look paler and feel slightly sunken. Marks that develop during adolescence generally need no treatment. Ordinary stretch marks are harmless, so treatment is about changing their appearance rather than fixing a medical problem. There is no need to treat them simply because they are there.125

What if you want them less noticeable?

Many creams promise to remove stretch marks, which is a large job description for a jar. There is very little evidence that ordinary stretch mark creams and lotions work. Hyaluronic acid and prescription tretinoin can help make early marks less noticeable, while treatment has little effect on mature marks. If you try a topical product, use it on early marks, massage it in gently and apply it daily for weeks; visible changes take weeks. Do not use retinoid creams during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before treating stretch marks.15

Dermatologists also use treatments such as lasers, chemical peels and microdermabrasion, which removes a thin layer of skin. These can make marks less noticeable but cannot remove them. A dermatologist can assess suitability based on your health, age and how long the marks have been present. Redness and swelling after procedures commonly settle within hours or days.15

When should you see a doctor?

Steroid creams or tablets can also cause stretch marks, particularly with prolonged use. Rarely, stretch marks are associated with Cushing's syndrome. See a GP if large stretch marks appear alongside more fat on the chest and tummy but slim arms and legs, fat at the back of the neck and shoulders, or a red, puffy, rounded face.12