Stretch marks

Striae; Striae atrophica; Striae distensae

Stretch marks are irregular areas of skin that look like bands, stripes, or lines. Stretch marks are seen when a person grows or gains weight rapidly or has certain diseases or conditions.

The medical name for stretch marks is striae.

Considerations

Stretch marks can appear when there is rapid stretching of the skin. The marks appear as parallel streaks of red, thinned, glossy skin that over time become whitish and scar-like in appearance. Stretch marks may be slightly depressed and have a different texture than normal skin.

They are often seen when a woman's abdomen gets larger during pregnancy. They can be found in children who have become rapidly obese. They may also occur during the rapid growth of puberty. Stretch marks are most commonly located on the breasts, hips, thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and flank.

Causes

Causes of stretch marks may include any of the following:

Cushing syndrome (disorder that occurs when the body has a high level of the hormone cortisol)
Cushing syndrome
Cushing syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your body has a high level of the hormone cortisol.
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Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (disorder marked by very stretchy skin that bruises easily)
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited disorders marked by extremely loose joints, very stretchy (hyperelastic) skin that bruises easil...
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Abnormal collagen formation, or medicines that block collagen formation
Pregnancy
Puberty
Obesity
Obesity
Overweight and obesity mean having a weight than is higher than what is healthy for a given height. A person may be overweight from extra muscle, bo...
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Overuse of cortisone skin creams

Home Care

There is no specific care for stretch marks. Marks often disappear after the cause of the skin stretching is gone.

Avoiding rapid weight gain helps reduce stretch marks caused by obesity.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

If stretch marks appear without a clear cause, such as pregnancy or rapid weight gain, contact your health care provider.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms, including:

Is this the first time that you have developed stretch marks?
When did you first notice the stretch marks?
What medicines have you taken?
Have you used a cortisone skin cream?
What other symptoms do you have?

If the stretch marks are not caused by normal physical changes, tests may be done. Tretinoin cream may help reduce stretch marks. Laser treatment may also help. In very rare cases, surgery may be done.

Open References

References

James WD. Abnormalities of dermal fibrous and elastic tissue. In: James WD, ed. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 20.

Patterson JW. Disorders of collagen. In: Patterson JW, ed. Weedon's Skin Pathology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Limited; 2025:chap 12.

Striae in the popliteal fossa - illustration
Striae in the popliteal fossa. Striae or stretch marks result from stretching of the skin, or other influences such as Cushing syndrome. Most pregnant women experience striae at some point during their pregnancy. This picture shows striae in the popliteal fossa (the area on the back side of the leg at the knee joint). When the striae first appear they have a violaceous (red-purple) color, but over time they take-on a dull white appearance.
Striae in the popliteal fossa
illustration
Striae on the leg - illustration
Stretch marks (striae) result from rapid stretching of the skin which may occur with obesity, pubertal growth spurts, pregnancy, or from other influences such as Cushing syndrome.
Striae on the leg
illustration
Stria - illustration
Stretch marks (striae) can appear when there is rapid stretching of the skin. Stretch marks appear as parallel streaks of red, thinned glossy skin that over time become whitish and scarlike in appearance. They are often associated with the abdominal enlargement of pregnancy and can also occur during the rapid growth of puberty in males and females. The stretch marks may be slightly depressed and have a different texture than normal skin.
Stria
illustration

Striae in the popliteal fossa - illustration
Striae in the popliteal fossa. Striae or stretch marks result from stretching of the skin, or other influences such as Cushing syndrome. Most pregnant women experience striae at some point during their pregnancy. This picture shows striae in the popliteal fossa (the area on the back side of the leg at the knee joint). When the striae first appear they have a violaceous (red-purple) color, but over time they take-on a dull white appearance.
Striae in the popliteal fossa
illustration
Striae on the leg - illustration
Stretch marks (striae) result from rapid stretching of the skin which may occur with obesity, pubertal growth spurts, pregnancy, or from other influences such as Cushing syndrome.
Striae on the leg
illustration
Stria - illustration
Stretch marks (striae) can appear when there is rapid stretching of the skin. Stretch marks appear as parallel streaks of red, thinned glossy skin that over time become whitish and scarlike in appearance. They are often associated with the abdominal enlargement of pregnancy and can also occur during the rapid growth of puberty in males and females. The stretch marks may be slightly depressed and have a different texture than normal skin.
Stria
illustration

A Closer Look

Self Care

Tests for Stretch marks

Review Date: 6/3/2025

Reviewed By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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Health Library

Stretch marks

Considerations

Causes

Cushing syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Obesity

Home Care

Weight gain

When to Contact a Medical Professional