Stretch marks are a normal part of puberty for most girls and guys. When a person grows, gains weight or muscles really quickly (like during puberty or intense body building), that person may get fine lines on the body called stretch marks.
What Causes them?
Stretch marks happen when the skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching. Although the skin is usually fairly elastic, when it’s overstretched, the normal production of collagen (the major protein that makes up the connective tissue in your skin) is disturbed. As a result, scars called stretch marks may form.
Who Can Have Them?
If you are noticing stretch marks on your body, you are not alone. Most people have them, usually on their chests, thighs, hips, and bum. Stretch marks are more common in girls, but guys can get them, too.
- Obese people often have stretch marks.
- Bodybuilders are prone to getting stretch marks because of the rapid body changes that can go with bodybuilding.
- People who use steroid-containing skin creams (such as hydrocortisone) for more than a few weeks may also get stretch marks.
- People who have to take high doses of oral corticosteroids as drugs for months or longer.
At first, stretch marks may show up as reddish or purplish lines that can look indented and have a different texture from the skin around them. Stretch marks often turn lighter and almost disappear over time.
What Can Be Done?
Tons of creams and other skin products on the market claim to get rid of stretch marks, but the truth is that most don’t work, and they are costly.
You can’t make stretch marks go away completely without the help of a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. These doctors may use one of many types of treatments — from actual surgery to techniques like microdermabrasion and laser treatment — to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
These techniques are expensive. Doctors don’t usually recommended them for teens because they are not done growing so new stretch marks might appear and existing ones will probably lessen over time.
