Unfortunately stretch marks, or tiger stretch marks as some women call them are part of our lives. They can appear just about anywhere on your body and at any time regardless of your age. However, there are plenty of reasons for why you have stomach stretch marks or stretch marks on any part of your body. 

Understanding that this is the result of the rapid stretching of the skin for various reasons. If you are like many people, you believe many of the misconceptions about these parallel streaks of red, thinned, glossy skin that have a different texture than your normal skin. 

We’ll explain the stretch mark colors and meaning and answer the question of how can stretch marks appear overnight or does massaging stretch marks help. 

Stretch marks color can be red, violet, brownish or white

One day you look in the mirror and on your buttocks you notice bright red or violet streaks. It can be alarming to see. Stretch marks that are this color are just in the beginning stages of development. There are two stages of stretch marks and the first stage of stretch marks is called striae. This is when the stretch marks initially appear as red or purple stripe-like marks on the skin. But they will not stay this way forever.  After a few years they will begin to slowly fade to white or gray pale lines becoming less noticeable. This is how amazing our bodies are when it comes to healing. 

However, unless you help your body to increase its natural production of collagen and improve your skin's hydration they will not disappear entirely.

Stretch marks are deep skin tears

Stretch marks are the result of rapid changes to the body. These rapid changes cause the skin’s elastic fibers to stretch, weaken and break resulting in deep skin tears that cause the middle layer of the skin to tear, ultimately forming stretch marks. 

There are many reasons why rapid changes to your skin can happen, such as rapid growth, weight gain, pregnancy, the building of muscle, or even cosmetic implants. Not everything is preventable. 

Stretch marks can occur at various ages

Stretch marks are most often associated with pregnancy and weight gain. But the truth is stretch marks can occur at any age both female and male. It’s not uncommon for stretch marks to appear in teens because they are a normal part of puberty for most people. And children who have a sudden rapid growth spurt or become rapidly obese will often begin to see stretch marks.  Bodybuilders often get stretch marks due to the quick body changes that can happen. And if you’re using steroid-containing skin creams or ointments for more than a few weeks there's a risk of getting stretch marks as well. 

The truth is that people are predisposed to stretch marks appearing. You can thank your genes and family history for this.  

Stretch marks can be found in various parts of the body

Yes, stretch marks can be found on many parts of the body. The most common areas that are prone to develop stretch marks are on the upper arms, abdomen, buttocks and thighs. But they can also be found on the back, breast, hips and other places.

Stretch marks are hereditary

Yes, you can thank your mother or father for your stretch marks. Ever wonder why some people have stretch marks before they even reach there 20’s and other people no matter what never get them.  Well, for most people you are predetermined to have stretch marks. However, the severity is affected by several factors, including your genetics, such as the degree of stress on the skin and your level of the hormone cortisol.  Cortisol is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands. Less cortisol can weaken elastic fibers in the skin which can potentially lead to stretch marks.

Stretch marks can develop for various reasons and it's important to know that anyone can develop stretch marks. However, there are some factors that increase the likelihood of getting them. Here are some of these factors:

• Being a female, as if we already didn’t deal with enough.
• Having a personal or family history of stretch marks
• Pregnancy, especially if you're young 
• Rapidly gaining or losing weight. It’s best to lose at most 3lbs a week safely.
• Using corticosteroids for an extended amount of time.
• Having breast enlargement surgery
• Exercising and using anabolic steroids 

Stretch marks can itch

Stretch marks aren’t harmful, but they can certainly become uncomfortable when they are itchy. Itchy stretch marks are extremely common, and there is a perfect explanation for this. Stretch marks are itchy when they are first developing because the quality of your skin is poor. As your skin stretches it becomes thinner, softer, and has less support than it once was. This reduces the lack of support for the nerve effectors ultimately causing them to be more sensitive and prone to itching.

You’ll want to do your best not to scratch, we know that’s easier said than done in many cases. But if you are continuously scratching it can potentially lead to an infection in the skin. This happens as a result of scratchin open your skin. Your nails contain bacteria and when bacteria get into a cut it can lead to an infection. 

If your stretch marks are itchy and bothersome, the best thing that you can do is to apply a soothing moisturizer or a topical anti-itch cortisone cream to prevent scratching. As the stretch marks stop developing the itch will go away and the stretch mark will begin to fade to white and you’ll forget that they are there. 

Stretch marks can be prevented

Stretch marks cannot always be preventable. You do not have control over your genetics or how quickly you grow. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that is nothing that you can control when it comes to preventing stretch marks. 

There are some things that will help you to avoid stretch marks such as controlling weight loss and gain and increasing foods rich in Vitamin E and C, zinc, and silica to help form collagen. Collagen and elastin fibers are responsible for your skin's strength. And strong healthy skin is less likely to break and result in stretch marks. 

Stretch marks can be reduced or even eliminated if they are treated in time

Dermaclara 100% medical grade silicone patches have been clinically proven to eliminate stretch marks.  So even if you believe you have the worst stretch marks ever our silicone patches will work.

Here’s why:

Dermaclara patches create a microclimate between the skin and silicone patch. This microclimate helps to stimulate the production of collagen, it encourages hydration and promotes healing which is exactly what your skin needs to make the appearance of stretch marks blends into the surrounding skin.

This unique environment that the patch creates helps to draw your body’s moisture from lower skin layers which will actually cause your skin to plump up and smooth itself out. Our bodies are amazing and you’ll notice a difference in your stretch marks within just an hour of using the Dermaclara patches. We have a variety of patches to choose from to treat stretch marks wherever they are.