10 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are very common and affect about 80 percent of American women and men. According to Dr. David Ghozland, a Los Angeles OB/GYN, stretch mark reduction is now possible thanks to new treatments and technology. 

Stretch marks are common following pregnancy and typically occur on the dermis, the middle layer of the skin, due to stretching from weight gain or weight loss. When they first emerge, they can appear reddish-purple and later may appear white-silver color in color. Dr. Ghozland notes that there are at least 10 little known facts about stretch marks:

Hormone levels can affect whether you get stretch marks. Your hormones are responsible for creating elastin fibers and collagen and hormone fluctuations can decrease the skin’s elasticity, making it more prone to these unwanted marks.

1. Weight loss does not cure stretch marks. Although losing weight may help minimize the appearance of stretch marks, it cannot eliminate them.
2. Genetics play a role. If you have a genetic disposition to stretch marks, you can develop them in spite of your weight or hormones.
3. There are two different categories of stretch marks. Those in the beginning stages are classified as “striae rubra.” Stretch marks that have developed into a white or silver color are classified as “striae alba.”
4. Hydration helps. Keeping the skin hydrated is a must for minimizing the appearance of stretch marks and certain topical oils can help improve skin elasticity.
5. Drinking a lot of water and eating a balanced diet helps, too. Getting plenty of H20 and choosing a diet rich in vitamin C and zinc can keep skin health and mark free.
6. Exercising moderately may be better than a rigorous workout. Some theories suggest that when muscles grow in size too quickly, it may result in stretch marks.
7. You can be thin and still get stretch marks. For all of the reasons already cited, stretch marks can happen to anyone regardless of their weight.
8. Stretch marks may indicate an underlying illness. Though usually benign, stretch marks have been linked to Cushing’s syndrome, Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).
9. A majority 75-90 percent of pregnant women will develop stretch marks. This is due to the large amount of stretching that skin endures and a lack of elasticity during pregnancy.

If you are pregnant or have already given birth and are frustrated by the appearance of stretch marks, there are many options available to treat them. Dr. Ghozland is an expert in non-invasive laser procedures that effectively erase stretch marks, with minimal discomfort and no down time. Just because stretch marks are a common concern, does not mean you have to live with them, especially if they make you feel self-conscious about your appearance.