What Are Stretch Marks & Why Do They Appear?
Stretch marks are a kind of scar within the skin’s deeper layer (dermis) that occurs when the skin stretches or shrinks quickly. When the skin expands rapidly - for example, during pregnancy, sudden weight gain, muscle growth or puberty - the collagen and elastin fibres in the dermis can tear. As the skin heals, the visible lines or bands form, which we call stretch marks.
Contributing factors include:
- Rapid body-change: Pregnancy, adolescent growth spurts, bodybuilding, rapid weight gain or loss.
- Hormonal changes: Fluctuating hormones (eg, during puberty or pregnancy) increase the likelihood.
- Genetic predisposition: A family history of stretch marks increases your likelihood.
- Steroid use or conditions: Long-term corticosteroid use or conditions such as Cushing’s syndrome can contribute.
Where they most commonly appear:
When early stretch marks (striae rubrae) first appear, they may seem red, purple or pink. Over time, they tend to fade to lighter (“silver”) lines (striae albae) and commonly appear:
- On the abdomen (especially in pregnancy)
- Hips, thighs, buttocks
- Breasts
- Upper arms and lower back
Treatment Options
At Cambridge Contour Clinic, we assess how long the stretch marks have been present, their colour and stage, your skin type and overall goals. The earlier the intervention, the better the potential outcome.
Potential treatment options or combinations include, but are not limited to:
- Microneedling - a technique to aid in improving skin texture; using controlled micro-injuries stimulates collagen and elastin formation, helping remodel the dermis and improve the appearance of stretch marks.
- Phototherapy - typically used alongside treatments to assist with the healing process, increasing cellular turnover and boosting collagen.
Other potential treatment options
Here at Cambridge Contour Clinic, we focus on minimally invasive techniques to optimise healing and cosmetic outcomes. However, we believe in transparency to help our clients make an informed choice on how they would like to proceed. Therefore, if we are aware of other recognised treatment methods that may be suitable for you, we will discuss these during your consultation.
How the treatment process works at Cambridge Contour Clinic
Your journey with us:
- Consultation & assessment – At our clinic, you will have a full skin assessment, including identifying the scar type(s), pigment factors, skin tone, background of inflammation/lesion and your expectations.
- Treatment phase – We begin the chosen treatment by applying a topical anaesthetic if necessary. Often more than one treatment is required, spaced appropriately (e.g., several sessions across months).
- Maintenance & after-care – Once improvement is achieved, maintaining tone, texture and limiting new damage is key (sun protection, gentle skincare, avoiding picking).
- Review & optimisation – We revisit at defined intervals to review progress, adjust the plan, and ensure skin health is sustained.
Stretch Marks Frequently Asked Questions
Are stretch marks medically dangerous?
No, they are purely cosmetic, though many people dislike the appearance.
Can creams alone remove stretch marks?
Evidence suggests creams/oils (e.g., cocoa butter, almond oil) have a very limited impact on established marks.
When is the best time to treat Stretch marks?
Early intervention (when marks are red/purple) gives the best chance of improvement.
Will my skin ever look “completely normal”?
Outcomes vary by skin type, area, and severity; the aim is significant improvement in texture, colour, and appearance, blended with surrounding skin. Our specialist will be able to advise you of realistic outcomes during your consultation.
Is the treatment painful?
A topical anaesthetic may sometimes be applied depending on skin type, area, and severity. We’ll explain the likely discomfort, downtime and after-care in your consultation.
Does treatment work on all skin types?
We assess individually - certain treatments may be better for some skin tones/areas, and we tailor accordingly.
