A Simple Look At What Causes Stretch Marks

For many women, stretch marks are a very frustrating part of their lives. They may not take the time to think about what causes stretch marks, but they live with the unsightly effects of them every day.

What Causes Stretch Marks: The Stretching Of Your Skin

The simple explanation for what causes stretch marks, is stretching. A woman’s skin can be quickly stretched for a few reasons, the most common being pregnancy, puberty, and weight gain.  The majority of women who have stretch marks on their bodies probably obtained them during pregnancy. In nine quick months a woman’s stomach will grow several inches, stretching out the skin on her tummy, faster than her body can produce the collagen it needs. As a result, stretch marks often form on the sides and lower portion of a woman’s stomach. These stretch marks often fade after the pregnancy, but because they never completely go away.

Many women that have never experienced pregnancy still find themselves facing stretch marks. The most common time for non-pregnancy stretch marks to appear on a women’s body is when she goes through puberty. Rapid spurts of growth, expanding hips and even budding breasts can all contribute to stretch marks. During puberty, like pregnancy, the skin can be stretched faster than it can repair and rebuild itself, leading to stretch marks.

Weight gain can also contribute to stretch marks, although the weight usually has to be put on in a relatively short time for stretch marks to appear. A slow weight gain over the period of a few years usually won’t produce stretch marks. People that yo-yo diet, losing and gaining the same weight over and over again, tend to experience stretch marks.

What Causes Stretch Marks: Genetics

When one seeks to learn what causes stretch marks one cannot ignore an obvious factor.  Genetics do play a large role in whether or not a person will suffer from stretch marks. Some people are more likely to develop stretch marks than other people. That is why two women can weigh exactly the same weight, get pregnant and maintain similar weights during their pregnancy and yet have completely different experiences when it comes to stretch marks.

What Causes Stretch Marks: The Scientific Studies

When the skin is rapidly stretched, whether it is from pregnancy, weight gain, or puberty, your body simply can’t produce repairing collagen fast enough to keep up with the demand. As a result, small scars or stretch marks are formed.  One way to prevent this from happening is to supplement your skin with moisturizing products that help or stimulate the production of collagen.