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Why do I get stretch marks is a question women (and men) have been asking themselves for literally hundreds of years.

And, the answer may not be what you think it is. Read on to find out.

First, What Are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks (referred to as striae by dermatologists) are reddish or purple lines of varying thickness that form on skin as a result of damage to the dermis.

Stretch marks tend to fade over time, but usually do not disappear entirely without treatment.

Over time, stretch marks will fade to a pale version of your skin tone, sometimes with a whitish or almost silvery color, and can be accompanied by deep indentations in the surface of the skin.

Stretch marks at this stage are referred to by medical professionals as striae distensae alba.

It is important to treat stretch marks before they develop into striae distensae alba, because after stretch marks have reached this stage, apart from laser stretch mark removal, they can be quite difficult to treat.

Why Do I Get Stretch Marks And How?

Understanding The Causes

Contrary to popular opinion, what causes stretch marks is not the actual stretching or tearing of the skin. The reason for this misconception is due in part to their name and their scar-like appearance.

The etiology of stretch marks is complicated, but the primary cause appears to be hormonal fluctuations, and this is why people with volatile hormone levels are most susceptible to stretch marks: teenagers; pregnant women; users of corticosteroid medications; and individuals with Cushing’s syndrome, Marfan’s syndrome or adrenal disorders.

Hormone Fluctuations In Adolescents Cause Stretch Marks

The most potentially damaging hormone fluctuations occur with puberty, and that is why adolescents are at a greater risk of forming stretch marks than any other group. A study published by the British Journal of Dermatology in 2006 titled “Striae gravidarum in primiparae” confirmed that adolescents suffer a higher incidence of stretch marks than other at-risk groups such as pregnant women and corticosteroid users.

Hormones And Rapid Growth During Pregnancy Causes Stretch Marks

Pregnant women, while not quite as susceptible to forming stretch marks as teenagers, are still quite likely to develop stretch marks during pregnancy. In addition to experiencing hormonal fluctuations, pregnant women experience tremendous stretching forces on their skin, and these forces often end up contributing to the formation of stretch marks in the abdominal area.

A few studies have looked at possible ways to prevent the formation of stretch marks during pregnancy, because approximately three quarters of pregnant women develop stretch marks by the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy.

A 1991 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science and titled “Prophylaxis of Striae gravidarum with a topical formulation. A double blind trial,” found that pregnant women could decrease their chances of developing stretch marks by applying a cream composed of a mixture of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) extract and vitamin E to the abdominal area.

Overuse Of Corticosteroid Hormones Cause Stretch Marks

Corticosteroid hormones can be a cause of stretch marks, with topically applied corticosteroid hormones being by far the most damaging to the skin. A 2006 study in Clinical And Experimental Dermatology titled “Elastotic striae associated with striae distensae after application of very potent topical corticosteroids,” notes that the application of corticosteroids has a pronounced stretch mark promoting effect. Part of this effect probably derives from the fact that corticosteroids are uniquely able to thin dermal tissue, predisposing skin to form stretch marks.

Unlike Cushing’s syndrome, Marfan’s syndrome is a genetic disorder and completely untreatable. Marfan’s syndrome is similar to Cushing’s syndrome in that it results in frequent hormone spikes in the bloodstream.

Adrenal Disorders Can Cause Stretch Marks

Adrenal disorders increase the likelihood of stretch mark development to the same degree that both Cushing’s syndrome and Marfan’s syndrome do. There are a great number of adrenal disorders, and although all contribute to the formation of stretch marks in a similar fashion, each must be considered on a case by case basis with regards to stretch marks.

Fluctuating hormone levels do not cause stretch marks by themselves. Individuals with fluctuating hormones tend to have high levels of glucocorticoid hormones. Glucocorticoid hormones negatively affect the dermis by preventing fibroblasts in the dermis from forming elastin and collagen fibers.

Without adequate elastin and collagen fibers, skin lacks the support structure to prevent it from forming microtears. Microtears by themselves are not what causes stretch marks, but the skin’s inflammation reaction to them leads to the formation of stretch marks.

More Stretch Mark Resources

For more answers to common questions like, “What Are Stretch Marks?” and “Why Do I Get Stretch Marks?”, see the Understanding Stretch Marks and Treating Stretch Marks sections of this site.

Learning as much as you can about stretch marks and what can be done about them can save you plenty of frustration and money and get the burden of stretch marks out of your life for good.