Early stretch marks: what to know

Stretch marks, also called striae, often appear as narrow lines or broader bands on the abdomen, breasts, hips, thighs, buttocks, upper arms, or back. Early marks may feel slightly itchy or raised and can have a different colour from surrounding skin. They can develop during pregnancy, puberty, rapid changes in body size, muscle growth, or with some steroid medicines. They are not a sign that someone has failed to care for their skin.

Over time, the colour commonly becomes less noticeable and the surface may flatten, although the texture can remain different. A clinician can distinguish stretch marks from bruising, infection, or another rash when the appearance is uncertain.

Use a plain moisturiser if the skin feels dry or itchy, avoid scratching, and protect exposed areas from sun so colour contrast is less noticeable. Do not rely on creams marketed as erasing marks; products have different evidence and may not suit pregnancy or sensitive skin. If the marks concern you, a dermatologist can assess their age, colour, texture, and likely cause before discussing treatment.

Options may include microneedling, fractional laser treatment, RF microneedling, or carboxytherapy. These procedures aim to improve texture or colour rather than remove the skin mark completely. Treatment choice depends on skin tone, body site, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, scar tendency, and the maturity of the marks.

Arrange a medical review if marks appear suddenly without an obvious stretch, are widespread, bruise easily, or occur with muscle weakness, unusual weight change, easy infections, or prolonged steroid use. Seek prompt care for warmth, swelling, marked pain, pus, or fever, because those features suggest a separate skin problem rather than uncomplicated stretch marks. During pregnancy, ask your maternity clinician before using prescription creams or procedures.

Ask: Do these marks look like striae? Could a medicine or hormone-related problem be contributing? Which treatment fits my skin tone and the mark’s age? What results are realistic, how many visits might be needed, and what side effects or pigment changes should I watch for?