What are stretch marks?

How
can stretch marks be treated?
By Hannah Nichols | Last updated Fri 27 November 2015

Reviewed by Dr Helen Webberley

Stretch marks are long, narrow streaks, stripes or lines that develop on the skin and which
differ in hue from the surrounding skin. They are the result of a sudden stretching of the
skin and are extremely common. Anyone can develop stretch marks, although they tend to
affect more women than men.

Stretch marks can be visible on body parts including the tummy, thighs, hips, breasts, upper
arms, and lower back. The marks form in the middle layer of the skin; when there is a constant
stretch, the layer tears, leaving stretch marks.

This type of scarring happens when the skin cannot bounce back after a period of intense
growth, be that due to pregnancy, weight gain, or during puberty. Extreme weight loss can
also make stretch marks more visible, and some stretch marks arise as a result of acute
trauma affecting the skin (such as a car accident when heavily pregnant).

Stretch marks are usually a slightly red or purple shade to begin with, fading with time to
silvery white lines that may or may not disappear.

Contents of this article:

1. What are stretch marks?

 2. What causes stretch marks?

3. Signs and symptoms

4. Tests and diagnosis

5. Treatment and prevention

You will also see introductions at the end of some sections to any recent developments that
have been covered by MNT's news stories. Also look out for links to information about related
conditions.

Fast facts on stretch marks

Here are some key points about stretch marks. More detail and supporting information is in
the main article.

• The prevalence of stretch marks ranges from 40-90%, depending on race, age and
sex.

• Both sexes are affected by stretch marks.

• Around 70% of girls develop stretch marks during puberty.

• Around 40% of boys develop stretch marks during puberty.

• Stretch marks can occur during pregnancy, puberty, after rapid weight gain, during
various medical conditions and after using certain medications.

• Stretch marks often appear after the 25th week of pregnancy.

• Common areas for stretch marks to arise include the abdomen, breasts, hips, flank,
buttocks and thighs.

• Stretch marks are more common in younger pregnant women.

• Cocoa butter is not effective in preventing stretch marks.

 • Laser therapy has proven effective for stretch mark removal.

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks are also called striae distensae, SD, striae, striae atrophicans and striae
gravidarum. They are dermal scars or disfiguring lesions characterized by flattening and
atrophy (wasting or degeneration) of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin). 1,47

Stretch marks are linear, smooth bands on the skin that, depending on skin color, can appear
as red or purple and which fade over time to leave silvery pale marks. 3,10,34

Occurring in 40-90% of women, stretch

marks appear following rapid repeated over-
stretching of the skin over weak connective
tissue. The most common areas affected are
the: 10,46,48,49,55

Abdomen

Breasts

Hips
Stretch marks are long, narrow streaks that are visible on the
Flank surface of the skin as a result of sudden stretching of the skin.

Buttocks

Thighs.

Skin changes are common in pregnancy with stretch marks occurring in over 70% of pregnant
women, usually after 25 weeks of gestation. 25

Stretch marks are not medically dangerous, but can be a cause of aesthetic concern and
anxiety. For some people, stretch marks are such a significant cosmetic concern that they
affect quality of life. 10 They can be disfiguring, causing emotional and psychological
distress, especially during puberty, the latter stages of pregnancy (when they are most
prominent), in the postnatal period where they appear pale, or after significant weight
loss. 33,40,51
This type of dermatological scarring is particularly challenging and tends to occur with: 47,3

Pregnancy

Puberty

Obesity

Rapid weight gain

Weightlifting

Numerous medical conditions

Certain therapeutic interventions.

Pregnancy

Stretch marks are common during the later stages of pregnancy; their occurrence depends
largely on skin type and skin elasticity.

Preliminary research in women undergoing a second Caesarian section has revealed that the
greater the severity of stretch marks in pregnancy the more likely it is that intraperitoneal
adhesions are present, which may complicate the second C-section or other abdominal
surgery.

Intraperitoneal adhesions were present in half of those with severe striae gravidarum, 30% of
those with mild stretch marks, and fewer than 1 in 10 (9.1%) of those with no stretch marks. 63

Hormones are produced during pregnancy that soften pelvic ligaments and increase their
flexibility. Hormones also soften skin fibers, giving an increased risk of stretch marks.

Stretch marks appear on the abdomen as the baby grows and sometimes occur in the skin
covering the thighs and breasts.

Puberty

The body goes through rapid growth cycles during puberty which can cause the development
of stretch marks. In males, stretch marks commonly arise on the shoulders and back, while
females typically develop stretch marks on the hips, thighs and breasts.
Rapid weight gain

Stretch marks may also arise if a person gains weight rapidly, such as when bodybuilders and
athletes dramatically increase muscle mass over a short period of time.

Medical conditions

Medical conditions such as Cushing's syndrome and Marfan syndrome can lead to the
development of stretch marks. Marfan syndrome is a genetic condition that causes weakness
and decreased elasticity in body tissues.

Cushing's syndrome can cause stretch marks because the condition involves the
overproduction of cortisol (the stress hormone), which can lead to rapid weight gain,
especially in the abdomen, in addition to causing the skin to become fragile, thin and more
susceptible to bruises, scarring and infection. Cushing's syndrome is three times more
common in women than in men, but can be successfully treated in most cases.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a rare inherited condition that disrupts the integrity of
structural proteins in the skin which can also cause stretch marks.

Corticosteroids

Sometimes prolonged or inappropriate use of corticosteroid creams and lotions that are used
to treat eczema can cause stretch marks by decreasing collagen levels and thinning the skin.

Late-stage faded stretch marks are a type of scar characterized by a loss of collagen. This key
structural protein is found throughout the body, providing strength and cushioning to many
different areas, including the skin - and elastic fibers in the dermis. The dermis is the sensitive
layer of skin below the epidermis, containing nerve endings, sweat and sebaceous glands,
and blood and lymph vessels. 38

What causes stretch marks?

The skin consists of three key layers: epidermis (the outer layer), dermis (the middle layer) and
subcutaneous or hypodermis (the deepest layer). Stretch marks form in the dermis when the
connective tissue is "stretched" beyond the limits of its elasticity due to rapid expansion or
contraction of the skin from sudden growth or weight gain.

The abrupt stretching causes the dermis to

tear which allows deeper skin layers to show The three main layers of the skin are the epidermis, dermis and
hypodermis. Stretch marks are caused when the dermis is stretched
through, forming the stretch marks.
so rapidly it tears.

Usually, as the body grows, the strong

connecting fibers in the dermis slowly stretch. However, with rapid growth, the fibers
overstretch and break. Stretch marks are red or purple initially due to blood vessels
showing through the tears in the dermis.

Stretch marks eventually fade to a silvery, white or glossy appearance due to the blood
vessels contracting and the pale fat underneath the skin becoming visible instead.

Stretch marks are more likely to develop and to appear more extreme where there are high
levels of circulating cortisone, or where cortisone is used topically. Cortisol, the stress
hormone produced by the adrenal glands is converted into cortisone, which weakens elastic
fibers in the skin. 57

A number of risk factors have been associated with the development of stretch marks but the
evidence supporting these associations is highly variable. Much remains to be understood
about the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of stretch marks. 33,47

The pathogenesis of stretch marks is unknown but is likely to relate to changes in the
fibroblast phenotype. 3

A study that compared skin biopsies from volunteers with normal skin (NS), and both stretch-
mark skin (SM) and normal-looking skin (NL) from patients with stretch marks found that: 2

There was less DNA, protein, and elastin in the skin of people with stretch marks
compared to the skin of those without stretch marks, with those deficiencies more
profound in SM skin.

Cells derived from NL and SM skin had slower than normal outgrowth of their fibroblasts,
demonstrating low migration and proliferation rates, and producing less elastin, fibrillin 1,
collagen 1, and fibronectin than cells derived from NS.
The skin structure of stretch marks is qualitatively and quantitatively different compared to
healthy skin. The altered appearance of the skin reflects structural modifications in the
dermis. 48

A series of tests led to the discovery of a dormant phenotype in dermal fibroblasts from
patients with stretch marks. These tests may help predict a predisposition to stretch marks
and could open up a new approach for preventive treatments for people predisposed to
stretch mark formation. 2

The cause and associated factors for stretch mark occurrence could be linked
to: 14,17,21,30,33,39,53,54

Maternal age

Hormone changes

Genetic factors

Inherited defects

Pre-pregnancy BMI

Maternal BMI at delivery

Gestational age at delivery

It has been shown that women with a higher BMI have an increased
Birth weight of the baby risk of stretch marks.

Alcohol consumption

Water intake

Family history

Physical stretching of the skin.

Women with a higher body mass index (BMI) have more stretch marks, except in cases where
stretch marks are related to breast augmentation, in which case a low or normal BMI
increases the likelihood of stretch marks. 62 They are more frequently observed in younger
women, with teenagers suffering the most severe stretch marks.

These findings may be explained by the greater degrees of stretch applied to the skin in
obese women with larger babies, and by changes in skin collagen and connective tissue that
are age-related and which affect its likelihood of tearing. 33,56
One study suggests that increased maternal age could be a protecting factor against
stretch marks during pregnancy. 21

It has been suggested that genetics may play a role in the development of stretch marks.
Regardless of the etiology, all stretch marks display the same changes in the dermis, showing
atrophy and loss of rete ridges (rete ridges are the downward projections of the epidermis
that interlock with the papillary or superficial dermis). These findings are similar to those seen
with scar formation. 55

Research has also indicated that areas of skin that undergo greater mechanical stretching
may respond differently to hormonal signals from estrogens, androgens and glucocorticoids.
This is because under such conditions the skin cells appear to express greater hormonal
receptor activity. In fact, in one small study involving eight people with stretch marks and
eight without, estrogen receptors were twice as concentrated in the skin of those with stretch
marks. 39

Recent developments on causes of stretch marks from MNT

news
Cushing disease: A case of mistaken identity

The symptoms of Cushing disease are unmistakable to those who suffer from it - excessive
weight gain, acne, distinct colored stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs and armpits, and a
lump, or fat deposit, on the back of the neck. Yet the disorder often goes misdiagnosed.

First genetic study of stretch marks

23andMe, the leading personal genetics company, has conducted the first genetic study of
striae distensae (stretch marks). Researchers at the company identified four genetic markers
significantly associated with the development of stretch marks that inform why some
individuals are more susceptible to the skin condition.

Signs and symptoms

Before stretch marks begin to emerge, the skin can appear thin and pink and may feel
irritated or itchy.
The marks initially develop as wrinkly, raised streaks that can be red, purple, pink, reddish-
brown or dark brown, depending on skin color. The streaks eventually fade, flatten and
change to a silvery color over time, becoming less noticeable (this can take years).

Tests and diagnosis

Stretch marks are easily diagnosed based on a skin examination and review of medical
history. The doctor will usually ask questions based on signs and symptoms, any medications
currently being used and any existing medical conditions. 58

Stretch marks are not harmful in themselves and do not cause medical problems. In rare
cases they may indicate an underlying medical issue that requires treatment or monitoring.

Recent developments on diagnosis of stretch marks from MNT

news
Stretch marks diagnosis and treatment

Stretch marks are caused by a sudden or excessive stretching of the skin due to pregnancy,
rapid weight gain, puberty or other cause such as surgery or trauma. Almost half of all
pregnant women develop stretch marks.

Treatment and prevention

Creams, gels, lotions, laser and cosmetic surgery have all been proposed as treatments for
stretch marks, although there is little medical evidence to support the efficacy of such
treatments. 25 Current treatments are particularly limited in their ability to deliver long-lasting
improvements for all skin types. 37

Often stretch marks fade over time and become unnoticeable. For people who developed
stretch marks in pregnancy, these are usually less noticeable 6-12 months after giving birth.
Cosmetic camouflage (makeup) can be used to temporarily conceal marks.

Advances in laser technologies and ongoing research mean that the future looks bright for
developing effective treatments for stretch marks. 26
Creams, oils, topical preparations

Several studies have found little or no statistically significant difference in the development of
stretch marks when comparing topical preparations (something applied to the surface of the
body) that include active ingredients with a placebo (preparations without active ingredients)
or with no treatment.

There is no high-quality evidence to support the use of topical preparations in the

prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy. 9,10,43

Creams and oils do, however, help with skin

dryness and may reduce itching.

Six studies involving 800 participants found

no statistically significant average differences
in the development of stretch marks with the
use of preparations such as Alphastria,
Trofolastin, Verum, olive oil and cocoa butter,
all of which contain vitamin E (Alphastria and
Verum also contain hyaluronic acid). 43 The majority of creams, oils and lotions do not seem to reduce the
likelihood of stretch marks occurring.

One study evaluated the use of an anti-

stretch mark cream containing hydroxyprolisilane-C, rosehip oil, Centella asiatica triterpenes
and vitamin E, which proved to be effective in reducing the severity of the stretch marks
during pregnancy, preventing the appearance of new stretch marks and halting progression
of those already present. In women with no stretch marks, use of the anti-stretch mark cream
was more effective than placebo in preventing new stretch marks. 45

Cocoa butter

In studies of 300 and 175 women, application of a lotion containing cocoa butter did not
appear to reduce the likelihood of developing stretch marks during pregnancy. 27,52

Bitter almond oil

A study aiming to identify the effect of applying bitter almond oil with and without massage for
preventing stretch marks during pregnancy found that a 15-minute massage applied with
almond oil during pregnancy reduced the development of stretch marks.

Applying bitter almond oil without massage had no apparent effect, however, leading the
authors of this study to conclude that those who are pregnant should be informed of the
positive effects of massaging with applied almond oil early in pregnancy. 40,51

Olive oil

Studies looking at the effects of olive oil on stretch marks occurring in the second trimester of
pregnancy found the treatment ineffective in reducing the occurrence or severity of stretch
marks. 36,52

Another study comparing 50 women

applying topical olive oil twice a day with a
control group applying none, showed that
although olive oil reduced the frequency with
which severe stretch marks developed, it did
not significantly reduce the overall incidence
and severity of stretch marks and could not
be recommended for stretch mark
prevention. 41

Olive oil has not been shown to significantly reduce stretch marks
and is not recommended for stretch mark prevention.

Tretinoin cream (retinoic acid)

Products containing retinoic acid are teratogenic (can result in congenital defects) and
should not be used by anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding. 61

Tretinoin is extensively used in the treatment of acne (as Retin-A) and in the treatment of
stretch marks. 12,13
Studies indicate that the topical application of tretinoin significantly improves the clinical
appearance of early stretch marks, although the process responsible for the clinical
improvement is unknown. 15,20

In one study, tretinoin reduced the length of the stretch marks by 14% and the width by 8%
after six months of treatment. 65 In another study, 12-weeks of treatment decreased the length
of stretch marks by 20%. 64

Note that products containing retinoic acid should not be used if pregnant or nursing. 61

Tretinoin helps to rebuild collagen, which makes stretch marks look more like "normal" skin. 59

Silicone gel

A study of 20 volunteers who massaged silicone and placebo gels into separate sides of the
abdomen daily for 6 weeks showed that the application of silicone gel increased collagen
levels and reduced pigmentation compared with a placebo. These findings could provide
preliminary evidence of the use of topical gels in the clinical management of stretch marks. 42

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a popular technique used in the treatment of several skin problems,

including acne, acne scarring, stretch marks, and photoaging. The procedure appears to
result in an improvement in skin contour irregularities with significant improvement in early
stretch marks. 22

This treatment involves a device that blows crystals onto the skin, "polishing" the skin's
surface while a vacuum tube removes both the crystals and skin cells. The top layer of the
skin is gently removed, stimulating growth of new elastic skin. 59

Side effects are less frequent with microdermabrasion and patients are more likely to stick
with (adhere to) the treatment compared with topical tretinoin. 46

Laser therapies
The use of lasers to diminish the appearance of stretch marks or in combination with other
treatments can provide safe and effective reduction in the appearance of both red (early-
onset) and white (late-stage) stretch marks. Many laser therapies require special measures for
darker skin types as altered pigmentation can be more challenging in dark skin. 8,31

A doctor can give advice as to which form of laser treatment would be suitable. Laser
therapies work by using wavelengths of light to stimulate growth of collagen, elastin or
melanin production in the skin. 59

For early stretch marks, pulsed dye lasers have been shown to be effective, as has
fractional laser treatment for older stretch marks.

Clinical improvements to stretch marks have been obtained with the following devices in
studies by potentially stimulating new collagen and elastic fiber synthesis:

1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser 28

1540-nm fractional nonablative laser 37

1550-nm fractional nonablative laser 35

Fractional CO2 laser 38,49

Fractional photothermolysis 25

Pulsed dye laser 6,16,31,50

Copper bromide laser. 5

Other

Other technologies that shown promise in studies of alternative treatments for stretch marks
include:

Intense pulsed light (IPL) 7,44,50

TriPollar radiofrequency device. 24

Alternative therapies often claimed to treat stretch marks include plant extracts such as aloe
vera, combinations of botanicals, vitamins, tea tree oil, fruit acids, lemon juice, potato juice,
egg whites and alfalfa. There is no evidence that these products work. 60 There is weak
evidence that hyaluronic acid may help prevent stretch marks. 66
There is also some evidence that Centella
asiatica (gotu kola) can prevent stretch
marks; research suggests that gotu kola can
promote collagen synthesis and fibroblast
proliferation and increase intracellular
fibronectin content, helping to improve the
tensile strength of newly formed skin while
inhibiting inflammation that leads to the
developing of hypertrophic scars and
keloids. 67
Various medicinal herbs and combinations of botanicals have been
It has been demonstrated that ultrasound can claimed to treat stretch marks. There is no evidence that any of
these work.
diagnose stretch marks; PRIMOS devices can
detect and measure stretch mark type and
maturation.

A high-frequency ultrasound and 3D image device has also been used successfully to
evaluate the effectiveness of a topical treatment for stretch marks. 41

Ultimately, stretch marks cannot always be prevented, although these steps may help to
reduce the risk:

Maintain a healthy weight

Avoid yo-yo dieting

Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals - particularly vitamins A and C and the
minerals zinc and silicon for healthy skin

Aim for slow and gradual weight gain during pregnancy

Drink plenty of water (6-8 glasses daily).

Recent developments on treatment of stretch marks from MNT

news
Mederma(R) skin care for scars gel and Mederma(R) stretch marks therapy now available in
Canada

Merz Pharma Canada announced the availability of Mederma Skin Care for Scars Gel and
Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy at retailers nationwide.
The most advanced solution for the reduction of stretch marks based on TriPollar(R)
technology presented at the upcoming EADV congress

Dr. Worophong Manuskiatti was invited to present results of his study "Treatment of striae
distensae in skin phototypes IV-V with a TriPollar radiofrequency device" in the meeting of
the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Conference.

Additional information

Article last updated on Fri 27 November 2015.

Visit our Dermatology category page for the latest news on this subject, or sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest
updates on Dermatology.

All references are available in the References tab.

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