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Symptoms of Stretch marks

Stretch marks appear where the skin has been stretched over a short period of time, such as during a childhood growth spurt or when pregnant.

Stretch marks start as red lines on the skin that are slightly raised. Depending on the colour of your skin, they may also look pink, reddish brown, or dark brown. The lines then change to purple, before slowly flattening out. As the lines get flatter, they also fade, and usually end up a few shades lighter than your natural skin tone.

Stretch marks usually appear in parallel lines. The skin is thin and silvery and often looks scar-like. They usually fade and become less noticeable over time, but this can take years.

Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body where the skin has been stretched. They usually occur on parts of the body where fat is stored, such as the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, thighs and buttocks. People who put on a lot of weight over a short period of time often notice stretch marks in these places.

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