Stretchmarks

Stretch marks are narrow streaks or lines that occur on the surface of the skin. Doctors often refer to stretch marks as stria, striae or during pregnancy striae gravidarum.

Stretch marks are often red or purple to start with, before gradually fading to a silvery-white colour. They're usually long and thin and can greatly affect your confidence.

Stretch marks can occur anywhere where the skin has been stretched, but they usually affect areas where fat is stored, such as the:

• Tummy (abdomen)
  
• Breasts
  
• Upper arms
  
• Buttocks
  
• Thighs
  
• Shoulders (common in bodybuilders)
  

During puberty, stretch marks commonly develop on the backs of young boys, overlying the spine horizontally (like the rungs on a ladder).

Stretch marks caused by Cushing's syndrome (where the blood contains high levels of a hormone called cortisol), tend to be wider and larger, and can also appear on the face.

If you have a family history of stretch marks or if you have an underlying health condition, such as Cushing's syndrome or Marfan syndrome, collagen stimulating treatments such as Pixel, Dermapen, PRP, Mesotherapy can all be considered.