Stretch Marks - NHS

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Stretch marks

Stretch marks are very common. They're harmless and often get less visible over time.

Signs of stretch marks

Stretch marks look like lines or streaks across the skin.

Purple streaks on white skin, covering the lower tummy. Each streak is about 1cm wide and several centimetres long.
Stretch marks can be pink, red, brown, black, silver or purple. They usually start off darker and fade over time.
Credit:

Michael Heim / Alamy Stock Photo https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-woman-displaying-stretch-marks-on-her-abdomen-after-pregnancy-caused-90328374.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=8CD2F7A0-4F23-46C7-B795-6746E63CD78D&p=278143&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d1%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d2%26resultview%3dsortbyPopular%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3dF6XPNA%26qt_raw%3dF6XPNA%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d32846%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d1%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26customgeoip%3d%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0%26lb%3d%26fi%3d2%26edrf%3d1%26ispremium%3d1%26flip%3d0%26pl%3d

Dark, shiny streaks on brown skin, covering the upper arm. Each streak is about 1cm wide and several centimetres long.
Stretch marks are most common on the tummy, breasts, chest, upper arms, legs, bottom, hips or back.
Credit:

SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/481108/view

Common causes of stretch marks

Stretch marks are often caused by sudden growth or weight gain.

You may be more likely to get them if you:

  • are pregnant
  • are going through puberty
  • lose or gain weight quickly
  • are female
  • are overweight
  • use some kinds of steroid creams or tablets
  • have a family member with stretch marks

Rarely, stretch marks can be due to a condition called Cushing's syndrome.

Information:

Find out more about stretch marks in pregnancy

What to do about stretch marks

Stretch marks usually fade over time but may not disappear completely.

Many creams and lotions claim to prevent, reduce or remove stretch marks. But there's very little evidence these work.

There are some treatments that may help make stretch marks look better, but they will not get rid of them.

They include:

  • retinoid (often called tretinoin) creams or hyaluronic acid – these may help if used on new stretch marks, but you should not use retinoid creams if you're pregnant as they may harm your baby
  • light or laser treatments
  • microdermabrasion, which removes a thin layer of skin

You would need to pay for these treatments as they're not available on the NHS.

Information:

It's not always possible to prevent stretch marks. The best way to reduce your chance of getting them is by maintaining a healthy weight.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

You have large stretch marks and:

  • more fat on your chest and tummy, but slim arms and legs
  • a build-up of fat on the back of your neck and shoulders
  • a red, puffy, rounded face

These could be symptoms of Cushing's syndrome.

Page last reviewed: 30 April 2024 Next review due: 30 April 2027

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