Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are scars from the breakdown of both the epidermal and dermal layers of skin. As skin gets stretched beyond recoverable elasticity, the healing process results in stretch mark scars. They are considered to be the most common types of skin lesions.

Stretch marks are caused by a variety of reasons, but their predominant cause is pregnancy. Women who are pregnant often experience stretch marks as the skin stretches at a rate too fast for the skin to keep up with. Puberty is also a common cause for stretch marks while the body undergoes rapid changes as can happen with breast growth.

Both men and women can get stretch marks as a result rapid weight loss or weight gain. Stretch marks are not something you suffer from physically, but many people who have them become self-conscious about them.