They appear gradually, due to a number of different causes, including:
1. RAPID CHANGES IN WEIGHT
When your skin expands, the collagen, elastic fibres and blood vessels in your dermis can be damaged, become inflamed and stretch marks can appear.
Plus, when you lose weight rapidly, your skin doesn’t have enough time to go back in shape and tighten up properly.
2. PUBERTY GROWTH SPURTS
When young teenagers go through puberty their body grows faster than their skin can produce collagen.
So, when their skin is stretched beyond its elasticity, the connective tissue changes and causes stretch marks.
3. PREGNANCY
Your belly often grows too fast for your skin to keep up when you are pregnant.
Growing that fast can leave you with stretch marks.
4. YOUR GENES
Stretch marks are also hereditary.
If your parents or older relatives have had stretch marks, you are more likely to experience them as well.
5. AN UNDERLYING MEDICAL ISSUE
Excessive stretch marks on the body can also sometimes indicate an underlying issue.
This can be due to a number of factors or disorders, including:
- Taking oral corticosteroids
- An adrenal gland disease
- Cushing's disease
If you start seeing excessive stretch marks on your body, we recommended that you see a qualified physician to receive an accurate assessment of your condition.
