From puberty to pregnancy and weight gain we explain what causes stretch marks on legs, bums and tums and how to get rid of stretch marks
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What are Stretch marks?
What causes stretch marks?
Do stretch marks go away?
How to get rid of stretch marks
Tiger stripes, lightning strikes, stretchies – whatever you call stretch marks, chances are everyone you know has at least one or two somewhere on their body.
They’re not the reserve of overweight people. They’re not only common among Mums.
Whether it’s through puberty, weight gain, pregnancy, or just generally growing in the body we own, stretch marks affect both men and women of varying sizes and shapes.
It’s rumoured that both the Ancient Greeks and Romans used olive oil to make stretch marks disappear on pregnant stomachs.
Today, we spend thousands of pounds on ‘miracle’ products and laser treatments in the hope of fading them, and use photo editing software to make them vanish from ad campaigns and social media posts.
This in turn has inevitably led to (mostly but not exclusively) women understandably feeling a variety of different emotions when they see stretch marks on their Skin. Whether you love them or hate them, we’ve unpacked the science behind what causes stretch marks and how to get rid of them, should you want to.
At mamabella we believe women are beautiful in all shapes and sizes and should feel comfortable and empowered in their own skin. Our stretch marks tell a unique story and we’re under no circumstances telling you to get rid of them. We’re also not judging you if you want to minimise them.
We’re simply arming you with the information about what they are and what causes them to fade should that be something you’re interested in.
FURTHER READING: Best stretch mark cream: From Bio-Oil to Burt’s Bees Belly Butter
What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks, medically known as Striae or Striae Distensea, are exactly that – marks left on your skin after its been stretched.
They are long, narrow streaks, stripes or lines that develop on the skin. They can occur on a range of body parts, including but not limited to, the stomach, thighs, hips, breasts, upper arms and lower back.
Before stretch marks initially begin to emerge, the area can appear thick and pink, and may also feel irritated or itchy.
As the marks develop, they appear as wrinkly, raised streaks that can be red, purple, pink or reddish-brown depending on the skin tone.
READ NEXT: What causes cellulite and how to get rid of the dreaded orange peel
What causes stretch marks?
Stretch marks are caused by extreme skin growth or shrinkage. The most common causes include:
- Pregnancy: Between 50 and 90% of women who are pregnant experience stretch marks during or after birth
- Puberty: During puberty rapid growth is typical for young people, which in turn can lead to stretch marks
- Rapid weight gain: Putting on a lot of weight in a short period time – like we have during lockdown! – can also cause stretch marks
Now for the science.
The skin consists of three key layers. Stretch marks form in the dermis (or in layman’s terms – the middle layer) when the connective tissue is stretched beyond the limits of its elasticity.
As the body grows, the connecting fibres in the dermis layer slowly stretch to accommodate slow growth.
However, rapid growth leads to sudden stretching and causes the dermis to tear, allowing deeper layers of skin to show through. This can form stretch marks and contributes to the way they look.
Do stretch marks go away?
Over time, the streaks eventually fade and flatten and tend to change to a silvery colour and may gradually become less noticeable.
They get this silvery or glossy appearance as the pale fat beneath the skin becomes visible in place of the usual blood vessels.
How to get rid of stretch marks
There are several ways to get rid of – or at least reduce the appearance of stretch marks, from cosmetic products right up to surgery.
We should note that it’s relatively straightforward, and can be cheap, to minimise how noticeable stretch marks are but they’re very difficult to get rid of completely due to the fact the skin has been damaged and torn.
As a result, be a little cynical of high-street products that promise to get rid of them, especially if they claim to get rid of stretch marks in a matter of weeks.
Like with many skin concerns, prevention is better than cure.
If you moisturise often – around twice a day – every day from around the age of puberty, you may reduce your chances of developing stretch marks as you grow as supple, well-moisturised skin will not give in to stretch marks as easily.
However, we’re acutely aware that if you’ve landed on this page, it’s probably too late to stop them in their tracks. Plus, there’s no *guarantee* that this will work – stretch marks for almost everyone is an inevitability.
While we still recommend you moisturise daily, here are a few other ways to tackle the dreaded stretch marks.
READ NEXT: How to prevent wrinkles
Retinol
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding do not use retinol-based products, or products containing retinoids, as they can be harmful. Read more here
Creams spiked with retinol – derived from Vitamin A – stimulate collagen production in the body to generate new, slightly thicker skin over time.
This is why you’ll find retinol in a whole host of the best anti-ageing creams and best eye creams on the market.
Whilst this isn’t a cure, it comes pretty close and can help to fade the appearance of new scars, making stretch marks look more like un-stretched skin.
READ NEXT: The truth about the acids lurking in your skincare
mamabella recommends: Try Face Theory’s Retin-C Vitamin Scar Treatment Oil 09 (£17.99).
It consists of a blend of 2% retinoid, plus Vitamin C and E with a non-comedogenic base to accelerate skin cell shedding and renewal leaving skin feeling hydrated and the appearance of stretch marks faded.
BUY NOWDry brushing
Exfoliation alone won’t make stretch marks disappear.
However, what it can do is make retinol creams work better as it helps loosen and lift dead skin cells that might be getting in the way of the formula.
Dry brushing (gently brushing your dry skin before getting into the shower) is a great option if you have a normal skin type.
Dry brushing can also reduce the appearance of cellulite.
mamabella recommends: Try the Dr. Barbara Sturm brush (£25), which comes in two densities, soft and medium depending on what you prefer.
It can be used anywhere from your feet, legs, arms to your bum and tum.
We also rate the cactus brushes from The Body Shop (£12). You can read more in our guide on how to get rid of cellulite.
Dry brushing is not suitable for sensitive skin or if you have conditions such as eczema.
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Self-tan
Using fake tan is a quick and easy way to temporarily get rid of stretch marks and boost your confidence.
mamabella recommends: For a glowy, sun-kissed look try working a gradual tanning lotion into your daily routine such as St. Tropez Gradual Tan Lotion (£18).
It’s fast drying, non-sticky and provides a hint of bronze that slowly intensifies for a natural-looking finish.
It may not permanently change the appearance of stretch marks but glowing skin is always en vogue.
If you haven’t ventured into the realms of fake tan yet, our editor recently took the plunge for the first time and you can read her experience including what to do – and what to avoid – in our beginner’s guide to fake tan.
We’ve also explained the science of fake tan if that will put your mind at rest!
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Oils and creams
For most people, oils are the first choice when it comes to looking to get rid of stretch marks. They’re usually full of vitamins and help get hydration into your skin quicker than most moisturisers.
The act of massaging the oil into the skin, and the fact it takes a little longer than creams, is also beneficial to improving the texture of your skin.
mamabella recommends: Try using a gentle all-over body oil such as Bio Oil (£9.99).
It’s fast absorbing and packed with Vitamins A and E to soften and moisturise skin, all of which can help temporarily reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
This is suitable to be used during pregnancy, teenage growth spurts, and periods of rapid weight gain – or at any point in your life!
Massage the oil in a circular motion until its fully absorbed and for best results, apply twice daily for a minimum of three months.
In addition to stretch marks, hormonal changes in pregnancy can also affect the condition of your skin and leave it dry or sensitive when it wasn’t before.
This is one particular area where oils can be hugely beneficial beyond the cosmetic and the Natural Birthing Company sells an oil called Nourish & Relieve.
It’s safe enough to be used throughout pregnancy as well as during labour and the postnatal period and contains sweet almond, grapeseed, olive and wheat germ oil plus glasswort extract, cocoa and shea butter.
You can also buy stretch mark creams that have a similar effect on reducing the appearance of stripes and keeping the skin supple and moisturised.
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Microneedling
Like with dry brushing, microneedling alone won’t get rid of stretch marks but it can help reduce their appearance, especially when used with creams and oils.
Microneedling can also be known as collagen induction therapy because it helps stimulate collagen and elastin in the skin. It uses fine needles to create tiny punctures on the skin.
These micro-injuries trigger the body’s natural healing process which includes producing collagen and elastin to close the wounds.
By increasing collagen, microneedling can improve the texture and appearance of stretch marks, making them less noticeable.
As a side note, microneedling is also good for stimulating hair growth when used on the scalp.
mamabella recommends: The Kitsch Micro Derma Roller (£14.50) has 0.25mm stainless steel microneedles that help reduce stretch marks as well as fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes.
While the Stria Lab Microneedling Tool (£19) is designed specifically for stretch marks because it has slightly larger, 1.5mm needles for use on larger areas of skin and which can more easily penetrate deep stretch mark scarring.
Stria Lab sells the tool as part of its wider stretch mark kit too, which includes a stretch mark cream.
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Lasers
The most drastic way to get rid of stretch marks, not to mention expensive is through the use of lasers.
Laser therapy is an effective way to resurface the skin, however, it does come with a hefty price tag – into the hundreds, or thousands – and does require multiple treatments to tackle the area. Having said this, the procedure itself is said to be fairly quick and painless.
The laser delivers pulses of energy into your skin, tricking your cells into thinking they are injured – you are numbed first, don’t worry.
This causes the body’s natural healing process to kick in, triggering your cells to release the chemicals that it need to create new collagen in the area, all of which eventually improves the appearance of stretch marks.
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