Pregnancy is not the only cause of stretch marks

Posted on 25 Aug, 2011

With around nine out of ten women affected by stretch marks during pregnancy, it is hardly surprising that we associate the two. Pregnancy, however, is not the only cause of stretch marks, and women are not alone in developing them.

Adolescence
70% of girls and 40% of boys develop stretch marks during puberty, most likely because of growth spurts stretching the skin. In severe cases, stretch marks can develop on the thighs or other areas that are more difficult to keep hidden. This can be very difficult for self-conscious teenagers.

Rapid weight gain
Bodybuilders can suffer from stretch marks, as their sport tends to involve a rather rapid gain in bulk as they develop their muscles. They tend, therefore, to develop the marks on the areas of increased muscle volume, such as the arms, legs, shoulders and pectorals. In a sport where the image is important, stretch marks are difficult to accept.

Stretch mark removal is one option that can help enormously if an individual has developed stretch marks that are having an impact on their quality of life. People can feel distressed about their bodies’ appearance and this can be detrimental to their confidence in general. Microdermabrasion and laser therapy can address this problem by greatly improving the skin’s appearance.