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The amazing thing about stretch marks is that they're not really caused by the skin "stretching". People associate stretch marks with weight gain or pregnancy and assume that stretch marks are caused by our skin stretching to fit around this new, larger body. The association is so strong that the name 'stretch mark' was given, only further adding to the misperception. |
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Hormones are the Cause The true cause of stretch marks is hormones. That's right, hormonal influences are the cause. How can I support this fact? Well, when people gain weight, our hormones are produced and metabolized by fat cells. Hormones resemble fat and cholesterol, so when we gain and lose weight it affects the hormones in our body, and also the hormones in our skin.
Able to 'Create' Stretch Marks in the Lab For example, we have been able to artificially create stretch marks on normal skin simply by applying strong topical corticosteroid creams. And this is without any weight loss or gain on the part of the test subject. The steroids are similar to the hormones in our bodies which cause stretch marks so by applying them to the skin, we are inducing a stretch mark. Proof positive that it's not the 'stretching' of the skin that's causing the stretch mark, as the skin isn't stretching.
Gaining Weight, Pregnancy Changes HormonesSo why do people who gain weight or are pregnant often get stretch marks? During the times we are growing, certainly when women are pregnant, when guys are lifting weights, or growth during puberty, its true that your skin is expanding as your body is expanding. But these life changes are accompanied by a serious change in our hormones and a change in the metabolism in our skin. It is this, not the 'stretching', that is the cause of stretch marks.
Learn about the removal of stretch marks: Laser Stretch Mark Removal How do I get rid of Stretch Marks? How to Choose a Doctor for Stretch Marks? |
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Laser surgeon Eric Bernstein, MD discusses the cause of stretch marks in this clip.
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