Five causes of stretch marks and what follows from each
Genes, fast weight change, steroids, muscle gain and pregnancy. What each one does to your skin, and which of them you can do something about.
Every cause of stretch marks works the same way underneath. Skin is stretched faster than its middle layer, the dermis, can adapt, and the collagen and elastic fibres that hold it together tear.
What differs is what drove the stretching, and how much of it was ever in your hands.
1. Your genes
This is the biggest factor, and the one nobody likes hearing about.
If your mother or grandmother had stretch marks, your chances are higher. Inherited differences in how skin holds together explain why two women who eat the same food, gain the same weight and use the same cream can end up with very different bellies.
So go easy on yourself. A good deal of this was decided before you started.
2. Weight changing quickly
Direction makes no difference. Gaining fast and losing fast both strain the skin.
Speed matters more than size. Gaining 10 kg slowly can leave fewer marks than gaining 4 kg in a rush, because months give skin time to adapt and weeks do not.
In pregnancy this is no reason to cut back on food. Gaining weight is expected and your baby needs it. Your doctor or klinik kesihatan will give you a target range based on your weight before pregnancy, and steady gain within it is kind to your skin too.
3. Steroid medicines
Steroid creams used month after month thin the skin, which makes tearing easier. Steroid tablets can do the same from the inside.
If a doctor has prescribed a steroid for a real condition, keep taking it as directed. The caution is about using strong steroid creams for long stretches without medical advice, including creams bought online that do not list what is in them.
4. Building muscle
Muscle stretches skin too. Training that adds size quickly can leave marks on the shoulders, upper arms, chest and thighs. Building strength more gradually lowers the odds.
5. Pregnancy
Your bump grows fastest in the second and third trimesters, while your breasts, hips and thighs change as well. Twins, a bigger baby or more amniotic fluid all speed up the stretching.
Pregnancy hormones also affect the fibres in your skin, so it is more prone to marking just when it is being stretched the most. The NHS puts the share of pregnant women who get stretch marks at around 8 in 10.
This is the one cause where you know roughly when the fastest stretching is coming, which makes it a good time to start caring for your skin.
Can they be removed?
No. They can be made to look softer and less noticeable.
New marks, red or purple, still have a blood supply and respond better to care. Older white or silvery marks have matured and change more slowly. That difference is the whole case for starting early.
What helps
Moisturise every day, twice a day, ideally on slightly damp skin after your shower, massaged in.
Try not to scratch skin that itches as it stretches. Pat it, or reach for your moisturiser.
Keep new marks out of strong sun, which can deepen the contrast. On a Malaysian afternoon that means shade and loose cotton over your skin.
Eat for your skin, with enough protein, vitamin C and zinc.
Drink enough, more in hot weather. If you are thinking of fasting during Ramadan while pregnant, talk to your doctor first.
Keep going after the birth, while your skin settles.
Our stretch mark care
Mama's Choice Stretch Mark Cream is the daily layer. It deeply moisturises skin as it stretches, keeps it supple and helps prevent stretch marks, with Lipobelle Soyaglycone, aloe vera and shea butter. It feels cool and absorbs quickly, so it is easy to keep up in the heat.
The Stretch Mark Serum is lighter and made for marks that are already there, with niacinamide, Japanese mugwort and bisabolol. It helps reduce the look of stretch marks and dark spots.
Both are formulated for pregnancy and breastfeeding and halal certified by BPJPH, Indonesia.
After pregnancy
Dermatologists use laser, microneedling and chemical peels to improve how stretch marks look. Each needs several sessions and none removes a mark completely. They are usually postponed until after breastfeeding.
When to see a doctor
- Marks appearing very fast and widely with no weight change
- Skin that feels unusually thin and bruises easily
- Marks that are painful, warm, or ringed with spreading redness
- Weight gathering on your tummy and face while your arms and legs stay thin
That combination can point to a hormonal condition that deserves checking in its own right.
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This article is for information only and is not a substitute for diagnosis or medical advice. Please talk to your doctor about your own situation.
