stretch marks
Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them Stretch marks fade with time; however, treatment may make them less noticeable more quickly. What exactly is a stretch mark? A stretch mark is a type of scar that develops when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The abrupt change causes the collagen and elastin, which support our skin, to rupture. As the skin heals, stretch marks may appear. Not everyone develops these narrow bands on their skin. Fluctuating hormone levels seem to play a role. You may also have a higher risk if people in your family get stretch marks. If you develop stretch marks, you’re most likely to do so during these times: Growth spurts that happen in puberty Pregnancy Rapid weight loss or gain Weight training when you have rapid muscle growth Applying a corticosteroid to your skin for a long time can also cause stretch marks. If you have Cushing’s disease or Marfan syndrome, you may see stretch marks. When stretch marks first appe...