What should you know about keloid stretch marks?

A keloid usually feels raised, firm, or thick and grows beyond the original injury. Stretch marks, also called striae, are narrow indented or slightly textured lines that can appear when skin changes size quickly, including during growth, pregnancy, muscle gain, or weight change. They commonly occur on the abdomen, hips, thighs, breasts, upper arms, or back.

The two can be confused when colour changes are prominent. A clinician can examine the surface and history, especially if a mark is painful, expanding, or clearly raised.

Treatment is usually cosmetic and aims to soften colour or texture rather than erase the mark. A dermatologist may discuss fractional laser treatment, microneedling, radiofrequency microneedling, or carboxytherapy. Suitability depends on the mark's age and colour, your skin tone, the body area, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, and the risk of pigment change.

Do not assume a treatment for a keloid will help stretch marks. Avoid home needling and ask about sun protection and aftercare before any procedure.

Arrange an assessment if a supposed stretch mark becomes distinctly raised, rapidly changes, bleeds, ulcerates, or causes persistent pain or itch. Prompt review is appropriate for widespread new marks alongside other unexplained body changes or after starting a medicine.

Ask whether the marks are stretch marks or keloids, what improvement the proposed procedure can realistically target, how many visits may be needed, and how your skin tone affects aftercare.