What to know about prominent stretch marks

They may begin red, purple, or darker than nearby skin and later become paler with a slightly indented texture. Treatment may soften their contrast or texture, but no procedure can promise complete removal.

Rapid body growth, pregnancy, muscle gain, or weight change can disrupt collagen and elastin within the skin. Genetics and hormone exposure can affect who develops marks and how visible they become. Common sites include the abdomen, breasts, hips, thighs, buttocks, upper arms, and back.

Newer marks tend to have more colour; established ones often look lighter and feel thinner. Their appearance does not reveal whether the underlying body change was healthy or unhealthy, and the word “bad” describes their impact on you rather than a medical grade.

Moisturiser can ease dryness or itch, though it does not erase the altered dermal tissue. Camouflage products or self-tanner can reduce colour contrast; tanning the surrounding skin may make pale marks stand out more.

A dermatologist may discuss microneedling, fractional laser, radiofrequency microneedling, or other procedures based on mark colour, age, skin tone, tendency to pigment, and healing history. Improvement is gradual and variable, and several approaches can cause temporary redness, swelling, pigment change, or irritation.

Arrange a review if many wide marks appear suddenly without a clear period of growth or body change, particularly alongside easy bruising, muscle weakness, or prolonged use of steroid medicines or creams. These features may warrant a check for an underlying hormonal or medication-related cause.

Pain, warmth, drainage, or an open area is not typical of an uncomplicated stretch mark and should be examined. You can also seek care when distress about appearance is affecting clothing choices, intimacy, or daily confidence.

Ask which feature the proposed treatment targets—colour, width, or texture—and what degree of change is realistic for your skin. Discuss pigment risk, downtime, aftercare, medicines that affect healing, and whether a small test area would be useful.