Stretch marks: causes, treatments and solutions

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks are linear skin lesions that are common among women – around 80% are affected. These fine, irregular streaks are most often caused by excessive, sudden and intense stretching of the skin. The elastic network of the dermis (the lower layer of the skin, located between the epidermis and the hypodermis), made up of collagen fibres and fibroblasts, gives way under the sudden and intense distension. The result: stretch marks. They are not scars, but fissures caused by micro-tears in the collagen and elastin fibres.

Types of stretch marks

1- Coloured stretch marks

When they first appear, stretch marks are often (though not always) coloured. The skin is in an inflammatory state and, at the site of the fissures, it takes on a red or even purple hue. The colouring can be alarming, but red stretch marks are not painful. The red or purple colour of inflammatory stretch marks is caused by local dilation of the blood vessels. If they appear in an unusual way or you have any doubts, ask a doctor for advice.

2- White stretch marks

Once the inflammatory phase has passed, the skin begins its regeneration process. It creates new elastic fibres to maintain sufficient suppleness. However, these “neo-fibres” will be finer than the previous ones. This scar tissue causes slight depigmentation and a cracked appearance of the epidermis. Existing stretch marks lose their reddish colour, giving way to a pearly white shade – the result of the healing process. Non-painful and soft to the touch, white stretch marks never disappear completely. It is, however, possible to improve their appearance.

Stretch marks and pregnancy

Stretch marks and pregnancy are closely linked. During a first pregnancy, 50 to 70% of women notice the appearance of stretch marks, often in the final trimester. They tend to concentrate around the stomach, but can also affect other areas of the body. Several associated factors are responsible.

1- Weight gain

Pregnancy naturally leads to weight gain. The skin of the stomach is subjected to constant and increasing tension over the months. In most cases, the dermis cannot sustain this ongoing stretching and the collagen fibres eventually break, leading to the appearance of abdominal stretch marks. Some pregnant women also gain weight around the hips and thighs, which can also trigger stretch marks. Finally, the bust of pregnant and breastfeeding women is equally prone to stretch marks. This is because:

• The skin of the breasts is naturally very thin and drier than on the rest of the body.
• During pregnancy, the mammary glands responsible for producing milk develop and the milk ducts multiply, causing a sudden and sometimes significant increase in breast volume.
• Blood and lymphatic circulation intensifies to ensure optimal mammary gland function, also contributing to increased volume, which may require greater skin elasticity.

2- Hormonal upheaval

The endocrine disruption that pregnancy brings has a significant impact on the body. Hormone production fluctuates considerably to support the smooth progression of gestation, childbirth and breastfeeding. Among these hormones, cortisol plays a key role: stress management, food metabolism, blood pressure regulation… Pregnancy triggers a rise in cortisol levels – 50% higher than normal between the 3^rd and 9^th month. But this increase in blood cortisol levels causes a number of unwanted effects, including:

• Weight gain in the upper body (shoulders, bust, back, abdomen)
• Fragility of the skin and blood capillaries, with the possibility of bruising, purpura and inflammatory stretch marks on the stomach, hips and bust

3- Possible skin dryness

Pregnancy significantly alters the nature of the skin. Some women will notice changes in facial pigmentation (chloasma), others may experience excess sebum production, and some will find their skin becoming dry. Tightness, itching and roughness are all signs of moisture loss in the dermis. Dry skin during pregnancy can weaken the skin’s natural elasticity. This temporary fragility can lead to a breakdown of collagen fibres – and consequently, stretch marks.

Causes of stretch marks

As you will have gathered, pregnancy is one of the main causes of stretch marks – but it is far from the only one.

1- Adolescence and puberty

A pivotal stage in life, adolescence brings many physical changes that can lead to inflammatory stretch marks.

• Growth stretch marks: these are common and affect both boys (10%) and girls (25%). They result from a “desynchronisation” between bone growth and skin elasticity. Puberty growth spurts can be rapid and intense, leaving the skin unable to keep pace. The result: stretch marks on certain areas of the body where the collagen fibres have given way. In boys, stretch marks are often seen around the pelvis and lower back, while in girls, the bust, hips and thighs tend to be more affected.
• Changes in body shape: in girls, the onset of the menstrual cycle triggers changes in body shape – breast development, widening of the hips, thickening of the thighs. If these transformations occur too suddenly, stretch marks are likely to appear.
• Elevated cortisol: as previously explained, high cortisol levels and skin lesions are linked. And adolescence, a period of hormonal upheaval, is often associated with elevated cortisol levels, which can accelerate the loss of skin suppleness and the development of stretch marks.

2- Weight fluctuations

Sudden weight loss or gain can put the skin under serious strain!

• Weight gain: the excessive and rapid strain placed on the dermis following weight gain can have damaging consequences, including stretch marks. Fibroblasts are unable to withstand the tension generated by increased volume (greater fat mass), causing the elastic fibres to give way.
• Weight loss: during drastic weight loss (due to a strict diet or illness), the body suffers a deficiency that affects all organs, including the skin. Suddenly weakened, it loses its elasticity. Moreover, the tension to which the dermis was “normally” subjected disappears abruptly – enough to cause distension and even stretch marks.

3- Muscle hypertrophy

Stretch marks can also appear following rapid and intense muscle mass gain. The cause: muscle development that subjects the skin to sudden distension. The skin sometimes cannot keep up with this unexpected muscular growth. The elastic fibres break under the strain, forming stretch marks on the most heavily worked areas. Certain sports are particularly conducive to stretch marks: bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting and high-impact sports. As a result, some athletes notice stretch marks in areas not usually affected: arms and shoulders, chest, calves.

4- Stress

The human body produces two substances in response to stressful and threatening situations: adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline is a neurotransmitter that acts on heart rate, blood pressure, airway dilation and the nervous system to enhance the body’s defence mechanisms. Cortisol, on the other hand, is a hormone produced by the adrenal gland, gradually and throughout the day. It is the body’s response to everyday stressful situations – from simply needing to wake up early, to rapidly memorising a large volume of information (short-term memory).

What happens when the brain is under constant stress? Cortisol levels soar. The effect on the skin is particularly damaging: high blood cortisol levels alter the skin’s properties – for example by causing the connective tissue (the well-known collagen fibres) to thin. The skin becomes finer and drier, marks easily and can deteriorate in depth. Stretch marks then appear.

5- Medication

• Corticosteroids: cortisone is often prescribed as an anti-inflammatory treatment (for rheumatism, allergies) in oral, topical or injectable form. However, corticosteroids are not without side effects. Taken over the long term, they can cause significant weight gain, muscle wasting, osteoporosis and skin deterioration, of which stretch marks are one manifestation.
• Hormonal treatments: as previously mentioned, hormones play a key role in skin quality. In women, the use of hormonal contraceptives containing oestrogen and/or progesterone, or hormone replacement therapy during menopause, can have damaging effects on the dermis and lead to the development of stretch marks.

6- Cushing’s syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome, or “chronic hypercortisolism”, is a disease of the adrenal gland – which is responsible for secreting cortisol into the blood. The condition can have various origins: iatrogenic (prolonged and/or excessive use of corticosteroids), tumour, adenoma. This syndrome has damaging effects on the body, and particularly on the skin. Patients may present with unexplained bruising, acne, thinning of the dermis and the appearance of wide, purple stretch marks. These stretch marks are particularly concentrated around the abdomen (stomach, hips, lower back, sometimes the bust) and are often vertical. Their development is exacerbated by the vertebral compression caused by the condition.

Preventing stretch marks

Preventing stretch marks is no easy task, as their appearance is often unpredictable and beyond our control. However, appropriate lifestyle and dietary measures can improve skin health and help avoid certain skin lesions.

1- Choosing a suitable diet

Above all, a balanced and varied diet helps you avoid any nutritional deficiency.

• Vitamin C (or ascorbic acid): it contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin. It is found in fresh produce such as blackcurrants, parsley, kiwi, broccoli and citrus fruits.
• Vitamin A (or retinol): it contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. It is found mainly in liver (cod, veal, poultry) and dairy products (butter, crème fraîche, cheese).
• Vitamin B5 (or pantothenic acid): it is found in brewer’s yeast, offal (especially liver), wheat germ and certain cheeses (goat’s cheese, camembert).
• Copper: this trace element contributes to normal skin pigmentation. It is found in offal, cocoa, dried fruits and shellfish (whelks, periwinkles).
• Silicon: it is present in bones and connective tissues. It is found in whole grains and in certain dehydrated foods (additives), such as dehydrated soups or freeze-dried coffee.
• Zinc: this trace element contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. It is found in meat (liver, beef), oysters, whole grains, cocoa and dried fruits (cashews, pine nuts, pecans).
• Vitamin E (or tocopherol): it contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. It is found in natural vegetable oils (sunflower, rapeseed, olive), oil-rich nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts) and dried fruits (prunes, apricots), avocado, shellfish and oily fish.

2- Keeping your body and skin hydrated

Good hydration is the greatest ally of healthy, beautiful skin. To help prevent stretch marks, it is essential to maintain:

• Body hydration: drinking water, still or sparkling, at a rate of 1.5 to 2 litres per day, remains the best way to stay hydrated. Herbal teas, freshly pressed juices, milk, broths and soups are also excellent options.
• Skin hydration: the skin contains between 20% and 30% water, which shows just how important hydration is. Using nourishing products to preserve the skin’s hydrolipidic film is a good way to look after it as part of your stretch mark prevention routine. Certain natural actives are particularly popular in skincare, such as plant butters (cocoa, shea) and natural vegetable oils (jojoba, olive, sweet almond, argan, avocado…).

3- Staying physically active

Some sports can have a damaging effect on the skin if they place particular strain on a specific area of the body and/or lead to rapid muscle mass gain. However, physical activity has its place in a lifestyle that looks after your skin. In particular, it helps you maintain a stable weight and manage stress better. Gentle sports are preferable, as they allow muscles to develop harmoniously without causing skin trauma.

4- Additional tips

Finally, it is important to:

• Manage your weight by adopting a balanced diet and avoiding sugars, saturated fats and alcohol. As mentioned earlier, weight fluctuations are a recognised factor in the development of stretch marks.
• See your doctor if you suspect an underlying condition or an unsuitable treatment that could be causing stretch marks.
• Consult an endocrinologist if a hormonal imbalance is suspected.

Treating stretch marks

Adopting a series of lifestyle and dietary measures to prevent stretch marks is strongly recommended. However, their appearance is unpredictable and often inevitable, despite best efforts. Once they have appeared, stretch marks never disappear completely. That said, it is possible to improve their appearance. Skincare has more effect on young (red) stretch marks than on atrophic (white) ones.

1- Technical solutions

Aesthetic and dermatological medicine has paid particular attention to the subject of stretch marks. These skin lesions are a source of self-consciousness for many people, and numerous techniques have been developed over the years. They aim to:

• Stimulate collagen production
  • Plasma injections (or PRP) stimulate the stem cells of the dermis, which are responsible for collagen production.
  • Carboxytherapy (injection of sterile medical carbon dioxide) aims to promote healing and tissue renewal.
  • Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that involves rolling a device fitted with tiny needles over the skin. These needles penetrate the dermis and create micro-perforations. The healing process then encourages collagen production.
  • Various procedures using laser technology are available, all designed to stimulate dermal regeneration.
  • Treatment using an LED lamp aims to improve the tone of fibroblasts, which are responsible for generating the dermis’s elastic fibres.
  • Radiofrequency is also a technique for stimulating fibroblasts through the emission of uniform heat.
• Smooth the epidermis
  • Peeling, whether mechanical (dermabrasion) or chemical, involves removing dead skin cells (through exfoliation or a chemical process) to smooth the skin’s surface and encourage cellular renewal both at the surface (epidermis) and in depth (dermis).
  • Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery is reserved for specific types of stretch marks. Possible procedures include abdominoplasty (a tummy tuck), particularly for post-pregnancy stretch marks, and skin removal on the limbs (arms, thighs), but only when the quality and quantity of excess skin is deemed suitable.

2- Medical solutions

Certain medications may be prescribed as a preventive or curative treatment for stretch marks. Hyaluronic acid and retinoic acid are the most commonly used molecules. To benefit from these treatments, it is essential to consult a doctor or dermatologist, who will be able to assess the condition of the stretch marks. All treatments may carry potential side effects.

3- Cosmetic solutions

Finally, cosmetics can help soften the cracked appearance of stretch marks and enhance the quality of the epidermis by nourishing the skin. The composition of the products you use is therefore a key consideration. Natural vegetable oils and essential oils (except for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as some are contraindicated) are premium ingredients worth considering.

The best approach is to follow a dedicated stretch mark routine consistently, to take care of your skin:

• A gentle scrub on the areas affected by stretch marks, to rid the epidermis of dead skin cells and smooth skin texture.
• A rich-textured cream, applied to the areas concerned to provide hydration.
• A treatment oil (a blend of nourishing oils), applied with regular massage to nourish the skin and care for its hydrolipidic film.

Lili’s experience with our stretch mark products

Discover Lili’s photo and her feedback after 1 month of using our stretch mark routine (her personal experience – every skin responds in its own way):

‘If changes take time, don’t worry, ladies. Every woman is unique, and every body responds differently and at its own pace. Stretch marks (especially white ones) take a long time to fade. So don’t give up, and keep following our advice consistently!’

Frequently asked questions

Why do stretch marks itch?

Itching can accompany dry or stretched skin, but it can also have other causes. If it persists, is severe or worries you, seek advice from a healthcare professional promptly.

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• Where to buy Cellublue products in store?

Useful categories: Everything About Stretch Marks, Stretch Marks.