Stretch marks

Stretch marks

Stretch marks occur when the skin is exposed to rapid weight gain and stretching. This is very common during pregnancy and puberty. During pregnancy, up to 90 percent of pregnant women get stretch marks. The condition is therefore more common in women than men, but can be seen in both sexes.

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks occur due to increased stretching of the elastic fibers in the skin. This is therefore an injury to the body's subcutaneous tissue that can lead to marks such as stripes, bands or lines in the skin. These can occur on the stomach, breasts, buttocks, thighs and arms. The marks can occur in varying colors and widths, but at first they are usually pink to blue-violet stripes.

When an overstretching of the elastic fibers in the skin has already occurred, these fibers will not regain their elasticity. The stretch marks will therefore be permanent, but they will shrink and fade over time. The marks will eventually appear as whitish or skin-colored streaks, but this will take time.

Causes of stretch marks?

The condition is usually caused by rapid weight gain or hormones. Common conditions are:

• Pregnancy.

• Puberty - This can affect both girls and boys, as this is a period of increased growth rate.

• Overweight.

• Strong muscle growth in bodybuilders.

• Cushing's disease.

• Long-term treatment with high doses of cortisone.

People who are at greater risk of developing stretch marks are:

• Women with dark complexions.

• Women who have previously had stretch marks on their chest or thighs.

• Women who have a family with a tendency to stretch marks.