Adolescence is a crucial period of development, both psychologically and physically. But the growth spurts and hormonal upheavals triggered by puberty can sometimes bring a few unwelcome surprises. Red stretch marks are one of them.
What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks are, quite simply, micro-tears in the dermis. Soft to the touch, often coloured when they first appear, fading to white over time, they result from the skin being stretched too rapidly. Unable to keep up with a sudden and intense demand for elasticity, the skin gives way in certain areas.
The result is red or purple streaks, on certain parts of the body:
- chest,
- stomach,
- inner and outer thighs,
- buttocks,
- sometimes the lower back,
- arms,
- back of the knees
Why can stretch marks appear during adolescence?
Adolescence turns the human body upside down. Puberty brings intense physical changes that can lead to some unwelcome — though not insurmountable! — side effects, such as increased body hair, breakouts, and the appearance of red stretch marks. These can affect both girls and boys, and don’t only appear alongside weight gain.
- Growth stretch marks are actually a fairly common consequence of rapid bone growth spurts. The skin simply cannot keep pace with the skeleton’s development. Collagen fibres crack under the strain. The result: red stretch marks appear on certain areas of a teenager’s body, which can be a real source of self-consciousness.
- Teenage girls may also develop red stretch marks on the hips, chest and thighs, brought on by changes in body shape triggered by the hormonal shift that comes with the onset of periods.
- During puberty, the production of cortisol — a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, also known as the stress hormone — is thrown off balance. Elevated cortisol levels in the bloodstream can have a direct impact on the skin. Its elastic and regenerative properties are weakened, creating the perfect conditions for red stretch marks to form on a teenager’s skin.
What can be done to reduce teenage red stretch marks?
So, are stretch marks a permanent reminder of adolescence? Let’s start by giving them a fun nickname — tiger stripes or battle scars — to take the drama out of it! Stretch marks in teenagers are completely normal. And to make peace with them and stop seeing them as inevitable, there are several ways to reduce their appearance.
In a salon:
A number of techniques have been developed to reduce the red colouring and uneven texture of stretch marks:
- LED light therapy,
- Laser,
- Peeling
- Injections
These techniques for reducing the appearance of stretch marks can, however, be quite costly.
At home:
The first and most effective way to prevent red stretch marks from appearing during adolescence — or to improve their look — is to keep skin well moisturised, restoring its elasticity and ability to regenerate.
Regular massage of stretch marks or prone areas can be done using high-quality plant-based oils (avocado, jojoba, castor, sweet almond, sesame…).
You can also try our Cellublue stretch mark routine. After a few weeks, this daily ritual should become a moment of pleasure and a way for teenagers to reconnect with their bodies. And seeing the positive results on their stretch marks, they should start to feel much more comfortable in their own skin — stripes and all!
👉95% of women who used this Stretch Mark Pack saw a reduction in stretch marks (recent and older ones)
