Do stretch marks get darker or lighter when you lose weight?

Author: Melba Wehner  |  Last update: Friday, June 30, 2023

Permitting that rapid weight gain stops and prevents your skin from stretching more, you'll notice your marks will fade from deep red or purple to a silvery or white color.

Do stretch marks get darker when losing weight?

The main culprit is the excess weight that originally made skin stretch beyond its means in the first place. As you lose weight, and the skin shrinks, sometimes, deep stretch marks remain, and look even more prominent with excess skin around them.

Do stretch marks lighten with weight loss?

Although weight loss can minimize the appearance of stretch marks, it does not reduce or eliminate them in all cases. Additional factors that contribute to the persistence and prominence of stretch marks include skin type, skin coloration, location of the stretch marks and orientation on the body.

Do stretch marks get more visible when you lose weight?

Conclusion. Stretch marks can become visible when you are losing weight and are quite common as the skin stretches due to weight gain or rapid growth.

What does it mean when stretch marks get lighter?

It is good to know that the redness and itchiness don't last permanently. Your stretch marks can turn lighter and become less noticeable as the scars heal. Furthermore, new stretch marks are easier to treat, as the presence of blood vessels enables the red marks to be more responsive to treatment.

Dark stretch marks & Light stretch marks. Causes & Treatment - Dr. Rasya Dixit | Doctors' Circle

What color are shrinking stretch marks?

Stretch marks are colored lines or streaks that appear on your skin from weight gain or growth. They're essentially tears on the skin, but aren't an indication of a health issue. Stretch marks often begin as red or purple marks, and slowly fade to white or silver over time.

Why did my stretch marks turn dark?

Stretch marks are also associated with long-term application of corticosteroids and with certain health conditions, such as Cushing's disease and Marfan syndrome. Darker colored stretch marks, such as purple ones, are typically newer. Without treatment, they'll usually fade to white or silver over time.

Do red stretch marks mean weight loss?

Depending on where you gain excess pounds, red stretch marks could appear anywhere on the body. Sometimes stretch marks can also occur due to rapid weight loss.

How do I know my stretch marks are fading?

Most stretch marks will fade on their own over time. They may become less noticeable after fading. Faded stretch marks usually look lighter in color than the surrounding skin and a little shiny, like a scar.

Are dark stretch marks new or old?

New stretch marks are bright pink, red, blue, black or purple. Older stretch marks fade. Stretch marks (striae) are indented streaks that appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks or other places on the body.

What color are fat stretch marks?

Stretch marks look like lines or streaks across the skin. Stretch marks can be pink, red, brown, black, silver or purple. They usually start off darker and fade over time. Stretch marks are most common on the tummy, breasts, chest, upper arms, legs, bottom, hips or back.

What makes stretch marks worse?

When stretch marks appear, it's most often because you've experienced rapid weight gain. To prevent the stretch marks from getting worse, stop any additional weight gain. If you're purposely trying to build muscle mass, consider slowing your routine down so your skin has time to acclimate.

Can you get purple stretch marks from losing weight?

Excess skin after rapid, massive weight loss might cause some stretching and tearing, but the majority of stretch marks are not actually caused when you lose the weight. Weight gain is more likely to cause stretch marks, especially on your stomach.

Can you reverse stretch marks?

Like any scar, stretch marks are permanent, but treatment may make them less noticeable. Treatment can also help alleviate the itch. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before treating stretch marks.

What is the best thing to avoid stretch marks?

  • Control your weight. One of the most helpful things you can do to prevent stretch marks, whether you're pregnant or not, is to maintain a healthy weight. ...
  • Stay hydrated. ...
  • Eat a nutrient-rich diet. ...
  • Include vitamin C in your diet. ...
  • Soak up some vitamin D. ...
  • Eat foods rich in zinc. ...
  • Treat fresh stretch marks when they appear.

How can I flatten my stretch marks?

Options include:
  1. Laser therapy. Laser therapy repairs and regenerates skin cells and is used to soften and flatten the appearance of stretch marks. ...
  2. Platelet-rich plasma. ...
  3. Microneedling. ...
  4. Microdermabrasion.

How long does it take stretch marks to turn white?

How long do stretch marks take to fade? In general, stretch marks take between six and 12 months to fade.

What do different Colour stretch marks mean?

Some stretch marks are quite a deep shade of purple; others are pinkish-red; whilst others are silvery and almost colourless. What makes them appear in different hues? The colour of stretch marks gives an indication of how new they are and how the body is responding to them.

Why aren't my stretch marks fading?

Stretch marks may fade naturally but often won't disappear completely. Using topical treatments can help to keep skin moisturized and reduce their appearance. If a topical product is still not enough, you may consult your dermatologist to discuss more drastic solutions, such as laser, radio and ultrasound therapy.

Why did my stretch marks disappear?

Outlook. Stretch marks are very common, but the appearance may be lessened by using self-tanners, makeup, ointments, or surgical treatment. Sometimes when the cause of the stretching is no longer a factor, stretch marks will disappear, but in most cases, over time, they fade to a less noticeable scar.

When do stretch marks get lighter?

In general, stretch marks take between six and 12 months to fade. With treatment, they often fade faster.

Do stretch marks get lighter after pregnancy?

But here's some good news: Most stretch marks will fade naturally on their own after your baby is born. Not only that, but you can make them even less noticeable with different treatments.

What color are stretch marks when you gain weight?

Stretch marks are long, thin streaks that occur on the surface of the skin. They're often red or purple to start with, before fading to a silvery-white colour. They're particularly common during pregnancy, puberty or following rapid weight gain.

What month do you get the most stretch marks?

But the honest truth is, you'll probably get them. Research shows nine out of 10 women develop stretch marks during pregnancy—usually in the sixth or seventh month, says Debra Jaliman, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City.

What week do most get stretch marks?

You'll most likely start to notice stretch marks on your stomach (and elsewhere) around the end of the second trimester into the beginning of the third trimester, when you're between 6 and 7 months pregnant. That said, they do sometimes appear sooner.

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