Yes!
In various (not always reliable) sources, you might come across information suggesting that stretch marks are almost a disease. Women who have recently given birth often feel ashamed for not putting in enough effort to prevent stretch marks and end up with a few lines on their skin, while teenagers feel embarrassed about their changing bodies. In reality, 88% of people have stretch marks. The presence or absence of stretch marks doesn’t heavily depend on self-care and lifestyle.
Where Do They Come From?
Stretch marks appear when the dermis “can’t keep up” with the stretching of the growing body. This is why stretch marks most commonly appear in teenagers during periods of rapid growth and in pregnant women. As a result, tears occur in the dermis. Imagine a strip of elastic fabric with paper glued to it – if the strip is stretched, the paper will crack in several places. It’s important to know that these tissue tears happen in the dermis, the middle layer of the skin – this helps understand why topical creams and ointments can’t affect stretch marks (and save you some money!).
Hormones Are to Blame Again
Hormonal changes in the body also influence the appearance of stretch marks. An increase in cortisol levels in the blood raises the chances of getting stretch marks, as it inhibits the production of collagen and elastin. The use of creams with corticosteroids increases the likelihood of tears in the dermis. Certain autoimmune diseases affecting connective tissues also contribute to the appearance of stretch marks, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Cushing’s syndrome.
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