Why do stretch marks appear

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Stretch marks on arm Open pop-up dialog box Close. Stretch marks on arm Some men and women are prone to develop stretch marks on the upper arms, abdomen, buttocks and thighs. Stretch marks in pregnancy Open pop-up dialog box Close. Stretch marks in pregnancy Stretch marks are common in pregnant women, especially during the last trimester. Widespread stretch marks Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Widespread stretch marks Stretch marks can cover large areas of the body, but it happens rarely. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Kang S, et al. Skin changes and diseases in pregnancy. In: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology. McGraw Hill; These lines are a different color and texture than your normal skin, and they range from purple to bright pink to light gray.

When you touch stretch marks with your fingers, you might feel a slight ridge or indentation on your skin. Sometimes, stretch marks feel itchy or sore. These lines commonly appear during or after pregnancy or after a sudden change in your weight. They also tend to occur in adolescents who are rapidly growing. Stretch marks are a result of skin stretching and an increase of cortisone in your system. Cortisone is a hormone naturally produced by your adrenal glands.

However, having too much of this hormone can make your skin lose its elasticity. Your doctor can tell if you have stretch marks by simply looking at your skin and reviewing your medical history.

If they suspect your stretch marks may be due to a serious illness, they may order blood, urine , or imaging tests. A dermatologist or plastic surgeon are doctors who can help treat stretch marks. They specialize in caring for the skin. To reduce the appearance of stretch marks, they might use prescription creams, microdermabrasion, and laser treatment. But doctors don't usually recommended these for teens because they're still growing.

So new stretch marks might appear and existing ones will probably fade a bit over time. Also, these treatments can be expensive and usually are not covered by insurance. Many creams and other skin products claim to get rid of stretch marks, but the truth is that most don't work and are costly. Tanning cannot get rid of stretch marks.

Self-tanner : While tanning can make stretch marks more noticeable, a self-tanner can camouflage stretch marks — both early and mature ones. A self-tanner cannot get of rid of stretch marks. Prescription medicine you apply to your skin: In studies, two ingredients seem to offer some relief:.

In two large studies, applying hyaluronic acid to early stretch marks made the stretch marks less noticeable. Tretinoin is a retinoid, which may also make early stretch marks less noticeable. In one study, people who applied this prescription cream every night for 24 weeks had less noticeable stretch marks. Other studies have found similar results. Procedures that dermatologists perform: Dermatologists use the following procedures to make stretch marks less noticeable, but none of these can get rid of stretch marks:.

To give you the best results, your dermatologist may use more than one procedure. For example, your dermatologist may treat you with radiofrequency and a pulse dye laser. With all procedures, side effects are possible. In the skilled hands of a board-certified dermatologist, side effects tend to be minor and temporary.

The redness and swelling tend to disappear in a few hours or days. In studies, neither almond oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, nor vitamin E prevented stretch marks. Other ingredients may work.