What do red stretch marks mean?

Author: Mrs. Pamela Hansen  |  Last update: Saturday, November 1, 2025

Red Stretch Marks (STRIAE) Stretch marks result from inflammation that damages the elastic fibers in linear patches of skin causing thinning of the skin, or atrophy, and redness indicative of inflammation. Stretch marks are best treated while they are red to get maximal improvement.

Why my stretch marks are red?

For everyone, men and women, the most likely causes of the appearance of red stretch marks are: adolescence and its hormonal upheavals. excessive stress. intensive sports practice and especially weight gain (excessive and rapid demand on the elasticity of the skin)

Do stretch marks go away if you lose weight?

This lowers the chance of developing both excess skin and the appearance of stretch marks. Losing weight won't make stretch marks go away. Instead, time is one of the best tools you have to reduce the appearance of stretch marks (along with some of the treatments we've rounded up below).

Do red stretch marks mean they are new?

When stretch marks first appear, they tend to be red, purple, pink, reddish-brown, or dark brown, depending on your skin color. Early stretch marks may feel slightly raised and can be itchy. In time, the color fades and the narrow bands sink beneath your skin.

What are the stages of stretch marks?

Stages of stretch marks during pregnancy
  • Stage 1: Early stretch marks will appear pink in color, and may also be itchy. ...
  • Stage 2: Gradually, the stretch marks will enlarge in length and width and become a reddish or purple color.
  • Stage 3: Once the stretch marks have matured, they lose their reddish/pink hue.

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

What color do stretch marks turn when you lose weight?

New stretch marks will look slightly raised with a red or glossy colour. Over time, they eventually fade to white and start to look slightly depressed. Older stretch marks may look like scars.

Why do I have stretch marks on my boobs?

Skin changes during puberty are the most common reason for stretch marks on the breasts. “They develop when your skin rapidly stretches as your breasts develop,” Dr. Akhtar says. “We also see breast stretch marks in pregnant women as their breasts enlarge.”

Do stretch marks affect relationships?

Relationship issues: Stretch marks can affect intimate relationships, leading to decreased sexual confidence or avoidance of physical intimacy.

Why am I getting stretch marks when I'm not gaining weight?

Aside from the obvious causes like pregnancy and rapid weight change, a few other reasons why stretch marks might appear include: Genetics or a hereditary condition. Having overly dry skin. Having previous damage or injury to the skin.

Why are my stretch marks red when losing weight?

Stretch marks in weight loss

During the stress on the skin, collagen and elastin become damaged and stretch marks are scars where that damage occurs. Stretch marks often appear red or pink initially because the body increases blood flow to that area to aid in healing the damage.

How do celebrities get rid of stretch marks?

Radiofrequency Treatments

Allure reports that RF treatments use energy to heat the skin's deeper layers, stimulating collagen and elastin production. This process tightens the skin and reduces the appearance of stretch marks by improving skin elasticity and texture.

How long red stretch marks fade?

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

Should I be worried about red stretch marks?

Red stretch marks are common and benign. They typically occur when the skin stretches due to the rapid increase in size of underlying structures. Red stretch marks are not harmful. However, some people may wish to treat them or reduce their appearance with topical creams and other therapies.

Why do I have stretch marks even though I'm not pregnant?

Stretch marks happen when your body grows quickly for any reason. Your skin can't stretch enough to keep up. Collagen is a protein that makes your skin more elastic. If your skin doesn't have enough, the marks may show up as it stretches.

How do you get rid of deep red stretch marks?

What to do about stretch marks
  1. retinoid (often called tretinoin) creams or hyaluronic acid – these may help if used on new stretch marks, but you should not use retinoid creams if you're pregnant as they may harm your baby.
  2. light or laser treatments.
  3. microdermabrasion, which removes a thin layer of skin.

What do stretch mark colors mean?

New stretch marks tend to be red, purple, reddish-brown or dark brown, depending on your skin color. This is because the stretched lines across your skin allow underlying blood vessels to show through. These early stretch marks can also be itchy and may feel a bit raised.

Why am I gaining weight so fast?

Weight gain and short-term fluctuations may happen for a variety of reasons, such as aging or making lifestyle and dietary changes. However, fast weight gain can be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as a problem with the thyroid, kidneys, or heart.

How to stop stretch marks from growing?

How to prevent stretch marks
  1. Hydrate. The body needs adequate amounts of water to function at its best. ...
  2. Moisturize. There's no magic cream that can absolutely prevent stretch marks, but keeping skin supple may make a person less susceptible to developing stretch marks. ...
  3. Eat nutrient-rich foods. ...
  4. Cosmetic treatments.

What do healthy stretch marks look like?

At first, stretch marks may show up as reddish or purplish lines that can look indented and have a different texture from the skin around them. Stretch marks often turn lighter and almost disappear over time.

What is the final stage of stretch marks?

Using stretch mark creams at this stage won't help you as much as if you had started using them beforehand, but it can still help tighten up any loose skin in the area. This is the final stage of stretch mark healing, and, at this point, your stretch marks will be pale and slightly off from your normal skin color.

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