Why am I suddenly getting more stretch marks?

Author: Dr. Nicolette O'Hara  |  Last update: Wednesday, November 12, 2025

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. Stretch marks (striae) can appear when there is rapid stretching of the skin.

Why am I getting so many stretch marks all of a sudden?

Stretch marks are often caused by sudden growth or weight gain. You may be more likely to get them if you: are pregnant. are going through puberty.

Why are my stretch marks increasing?

The cause of stretch marks is stretching of the skin. Their severity is affected by several factors, including your genetics and the degree of stress on the skin. Your level of the hormone cortisol also might play a role. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands.

Why am I getting stretch marks when I'm not fat?

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.

Can stretch marks go away?

Stretch marks don't require treatment. They are harmless and often fade over time. Treatment can make them fade, but they may never completely disappear.

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What are purple stretch marks?

Development of a stretch mark

The skin is stretched as a consequence of underlying tissue expansion. There is an inflammatory reaction in the skin that is responsible for the characteristic red or purple colour. The inflammation eventually fades and is replaced by scar tissue.

What do weight gain stretch marks look like?

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.

How can I remove a stretch mark naturally?

Can stretch marks be removed at home?
  1. Method 1: Massage. One of the most effective ways to combat skin imperfections at home is through massage. ...
  2. Method 2: Exercise. ...
  3. Method 3: Nutrition. ...
  4. Method 4: Using creams and oils. ...
  5. Method 5: Using aloe vera. ...
  6. Method 6: Exfoliation. ...
  7. Method 7: Masking. ...
  8. Method 8: Regular skin care.

Does hyaluronic acid cause weight gain?

For instance, when used in skincare products like serums and lip fillers, the water retention is beneficial for skin hydration, not for adding extra pounds. In joint health, the lubrication provided by hyaluronic acid is crucial for smooth movement and pain relief but doesn't translate to weight gain.

What causes stretch marks to be more visible?

When you tan, stretch marks become more noticeable because they don't tan. Self-tanner: While tanning can make stretch marks more noticeable, a self-tanner can camouflage stretch marks — both early and mature ones.

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.

What deficiency causes stretch marks?

Vitamin D (VD) plays a role in the skin regulation. Striae Distensae (SD) are manifestations of epidermal atrophy that occurs after tissue tearing due to overstretching or rapid growth.

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.

How do you get rid of stretch marks asap?

Stretch marks are a form of scarring that appear after your skin quickly stretches or shrinks. They often happen due to pregnancy, weight gain, weight loss and bodybuilding. Treatment options include laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasion, microneedling and retinol creams.

Do stretch marks go away when you lose weight?

In general, stretch marks from weight loss fade or disappear completely on their own. Sometimes rapid weight loss can actually cause stretch marks because of excess skin weighing down on the healthy skin.

What causes stretch marks on the thighs?

People get stretch marks when the middle layer of the skin, called the dermis, becomes stretched. They appear on the thighs either when a person gains weight or muscle around the thighs or when they lose weight in this area. Growth spurts and pregnancy can also cause stretch marks on the thighs.

Can stress cause stretch marks?

Stress itself doesn't directly cause stretch marks, but has the potential to heighten a person's likelihood of developing stretch marks indirectly. Elevated stress levels can potentially lead to poor lifestyle choices, which in some instances may have an adverse effect on a person's skin health.

What do purple stretch marks mean?

Red and Purple Stage

At first, stretch marks appear as red or purple streaks on the skin. This is the inflammatory stage and is caused by skin stretching and tearing.

How to remove old stretch marks?

Ideally, if you want to care for older stretch marks the place to start is with topical creams. But if that doesn't have the desired impact, Chemical Peeling, Microdermabrasion, FMR and Laser are options.

Why am I getting stretch marks but not gaining weight?

Marfan Syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the body's connective tissue; causing the tissue in the body to not grow and develop properly, this can cause stretch marks to appear without any visible reason (i.e. weight gain/pregnancy).

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.

How do celebrities not have stretch marks after pregnancy?

Exercise. One way to decrease the visibility of excess skin after pregnancy is to strengthen the muscle below it. In the case of the abdomen, strengthening your core through regular exercise can help to build the stomach muscles out and tighten the skin above as a result.

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