Stretch marks
Although stretch marks are not usually a medical concern for patients, they can be unsightly and cause us to feel less confident within our own bodies.
Stretch marks appear as parallel lines of thinned skin and are commonly found on the breasts, buttocks, thighs, abdomen and hips. They can be dark or light in appearance and are caused by the stretching of the skin, coupled with an increase of a hormone called ‘cortisone’ within the body. Excess cortisone results in the skin losing its elasticity.
Stretch marks commonly appear in adolescents who are experiencing rapid growth in certain areas of the body.
Similarly, pregnant women often suffer from stretch marks; as the baby grows, inevitably the skin must stretch, and those with less elasticity to their skin may see these marks appear as the skin stretches. Stretch marks can be attributed to fluctuating weight gain.