Also known as striae, stretch marks usually appear on skin that has been stretched quickly. These narrow lines come in various colours such as red, pink or white and are commonly found on the stomach, breasts, chest, upper arms, legs, bottom, hips and/or back. The main cause of stretch marks is skin that’s stretched rapidly, which damages the connective tissue in the skin.
Skin can be stretched during periods of weight gain as well as puberty and pregnancy.
Genetics also play a role in and you may be more likely to develop stretch marks if older members of your family had them.

Other causes of stretch marks include smoking, a lack of hydration and also certain medical conditions. For example, Cushing’s Syndrome, caused by consistently high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, can actually cause stretch marks due to hormonal imbalances.

Stretch marks can affect anyone, however they are more common in women, with pregnancy being a big cause of stretch marks due to the rapid stretching of skin around the abdomen. Plus, anyone who gains weight quickly will be more prone to stretch marks. Unlike many skin conditions, an increase in age doesn’t increase the chances of stretch marks; in fact it’s quite the opposite as skin's elasticity decreases with age, which decreases the chances of stretch marks developing.
Contact us to find out how we can treat your stretch marks to reduce their appearance and even out your skin.