What do stretch marks mean?

Home remedies and doctor prescribed treatments may help diminish the appearance of stretch marks.

A stretch mark (striae or striae distensae) is a form of scarring on the skin with a pinkish or whitish hue that appears when your skin stretches or shrinks quickly.

Collagen is a protein underneath your skin that makes it more elastic and supports your skin. Your skin tries to heal any abrupt change or tear in your skin collagen, and in that process, stretch marks may appear on your skin.

They often appear on your belly, arms, breasts, back, shoulders, torso, hips, buttocks or thighs. These grooves or lines aren’t painful or harmful. However, some people may feel awkward about their appearance. Over time, they become less noticeable.

What do stretch marks look like?

A stretch mark varies depending on when they form, the cause, the location and the type and color of your skin. They may appear as follows

• Slightly depressed, parallel lines or long, thin, rippled streaks on your skin
• With pink, red, black, blue, silver or purple hue
• Bright dark streaks that may fade to a lighter shade over time
• Whitish and scar-like appearance over time
• Several centimeters long and one to 10 mm wide, usually