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Some Basic Information About Stretch
Marks What are
stretch marks?
Stretch marks, or Striae gravidarum, are a type of
scarring. Stretch marks usually appear as a result of obesity,
pregnancy, bodybuilding and even puberty. Stretch marks are caused when
the skin is stretched beyond its natural elasticity. This disrupts the
body’s normal production of collagen, which is a special protein that
keeps the skin elastic. When collagen production is disrupted, the skin
becomes less elastic and, therefore, more prone to stretch marks.
What do stretch marks look like?
Stretch marks are small, indented streaks that can be found throughout
the skin. The streaks are more rough and uneven than the surrounding
skin. When stretch marks first appear on women with light-colored skin,
they are usually pink, reddish-brown or almost purple in color. In
dark-colored women, stretch marks are usually very dark brown.
Over time, stretch marks generally fade and become lighter in color. In
fact, stretch marks actually become lighter in color than the
surrounding skin. Unfortunately, they never go away and, though the
color may fade, the change in texture remains.
Since weight gain is the culprit for stretch marks, losing weight -
whether from the birth of a child or from a change in diet – often
causes the stretch marks to become less visible. This is because the
skin returns to its original size, causing the indented streaks to
contract and become less noticeable.
How does puberty affect stretch
marks?
Most girls and boys going through puberty will develop stretch marks,
though some will develop more than others. This is because pubescent
children grow and gain weight rapidly as their bodies change.
For pubescent girls, stretch marks most often occur on the breasts,
butt, hips, and thighs. While stretch marks are most common in girls,
boys can also get them in their arms, legs, and other parts of their
bodies as their bodies change and grow.
Does medication increase my chances of getting stretch marks?
People who use skin creams or ointments containing steroids, such as
hydrocortisone, for a month or longer are more likely to develop stretch
marks. Also, people who take high doses of oral corticosteroids for
several months increase their chances of developing stretch marks.
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