bell notificationshomepageloginNewPostedit profiledmBox

Hoots : What causes "stretch marks" in skin? I'm 15, which is young, but I've noticed I have horizontal stretch marks on the back of my legs and arms. They just started popping up. On the Mayo Clinic site, they are defined: - freshhoot.com

10% popularity   0 Reactions

What causes "stretch marks" in skin?
I'm 15, which is young, but I've noticed I have horizontal stretch marks on the back of my legs and arms. They just started popping up.

On the Mayo Clinic site, they are defined:

Stretch marks (striae) are indented streaks that often appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks and thighs.

I also see that risk factors include "being female, having a personal or family history of stretch marks, and being pregnant, especially for younger women."

What causes these stretch marks? Is it common to get them at a young age? Are they more common in some people than others (besides what was mentioned above?)


Load Full (3)

Login to follow hoots

3 Comments

Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best

10% popularity   0 Reactions

What causes these stretch marks?

Stretch marks (striae) are caused by intradermal tears, that means tears that occur within the skin layers. These tears are caused when two things happen at the same time.

The skin is stretching at a high rate. This happens when you gain weight rapidly, are pregnant, or are otherwise undergoing changes in body shape - as happens during the adolescent and teenage years.
There's not enough new collagen being synthesized in the skin to accommodate that stretching.

Is it common to get them at a young age?

Yes - in this case meaning adolescent and teenage years. The reasons are twofold:

First, these are years when your body is undergoing changes in shape and composition. The skin has to stretch to accommodate these changes.

Second, something we haven't discussed yet is the effect of cortisol on collagen synthesis. Cortisone is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland in response to stress among other things. It's been shown to inhibit collagen synthesis, effectively making the skin (and cartilage in the joints) less stretchy.

Are they more common in some people than others (besides what was mentioned above?)

People with increased adrenal cortical activity, such as teenagers and those with Cushing's disease.

References

"The cause of striae distensae"

"Effects of cortisol acetate on collagen biosynthesis..."


10% popularity   0 Reactions

Not only are the risk factors you posted associated with stretch marks but also having high BMI (body mass index) or being over weight with high fat.
When your over weight and have high fat in the act of trying to reduce weight,the skin forms wrinkles which later on form stretch marks.
Its like removing air from a ballon. So stretch marks dont imply to age


10% popularity   0 Reactions

Ya, it's true. Due to this high fat on skin tissues, stretch marks occur. If there is proper diet and the proper exercise then these marks are reduce at some extent. Also, there should be massage of the skin at least twice a week for the betterment of skin tissues. For simple massage, you can have appareil cellulite for massaging. Have a look.


Back to top Use Dark theme