Why are my stretch marks purple?

What makes a stretch mark purple?

Stretch marks form when skin stretches or shrinks quickly enough to break collagen and elastin, the proteins that give skin support and stretch. The resulting lines are scars. Early marks have increased vascularity, meaning a greater blood vessel presence, and can look purple, red, pink or brown depending on your skin tone.234

Common triggers include puberty, pregnancy, rapid weight gain or loss, and rapid muscle growth during weight training. Family history also affects your likelihood of developing them. Pregnancy hormones can make skin more prone to stretch marks, which commonly appear on the growing abdomen, thighs and breasts.14

How long will they stay purple?

Stretch marks generally take six to twelve months to fade, rather than changing color on a fixed schedule. New marks can feel slightly raised and itchy. As they mature, the color fades, the lines become slightly sunken, and they can look glossy, silver or white. Fading does not mean the scar has disappeared.135

What can you do about them?

You do not have to treat stretch marks for physical health reasons. If new marks on your breasts itch, an unscented lotion can help relieve the discomfort. Cocoa butter can also soothe itchiness there, but it does not fade stretch marks. Moisturizing for comfort and treating the scar are different jobs.135

Early, colored marks respond better to treatment than older, pale ones. Hyaluronic acid and prescription tretinoin can make early marks less noticeable. Retinol is another option, but noticeable results can require at least six months of regular use. Stretch mark creams are not scar erasers, despite the ambitious job title.123

For a suitable cream or lotion, gently massage it into early marks every day and allow weeks before judging results. Retinol can cause dryness, irritation, discoloration and sensitivity to light. Stop a product that causes a bad skin reaction and ask a healthcare provider for advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before using stretch mark treatments, particularly products containing retinol.13

A dermatologist can discuss laser treatment or microneedling if you want a more substantial improvement. Microneedling usually requires three to six sessions, with full results taking four to six months or longer. Procedures can cause swelling, irritation or pigment changes, so the choice should account for your skin tone and the age of the marks.23

Tanning makes stretch marks stand out more because the marks do not tan. Self tanner can camouflage both new and mature marks without removing them, which makes it makeup with a more complicated application process.1

When should purple stretch marks be checked?

Arrange a medical appointment if unexplained purple marks come with rapid, unusual weight gain around your abdomen or face, easy bruising, muscle weakness or marked fatigue. This combination can occur with Cushing syndrome, a condition involving excess cortisol, a hormone. Purple color alone is not enough to identify that condition.36

Mention any steroid medicines you use. Prolonged use of steroid creams can cause skin thinning and stretch marks; the risk depends on strength, duration and where you apply them. Long term oral steroids can also cause stretch marks. Have new marks reviewed by your prescriber rather than changing treatment yourself, and never stop prednisone abruptly.7