Do Stretch Marks Mean I'm Gaining Weight? Stretch marks are recognizable parallel lines that appear on your skin. These lines often happen when any of your body parts like stomach, upper arms, breasts, buttocks, thighs start protruding. These discolored streaks or lines are even more visible if the skin color is pale. Stretch marks are commonly seen in pregnant women. However, these are not harmful to the body, and they disappear slowly with time. A stretch mark doesn't mean that you have suddenly put on weight. It also happens when you start losing weight. Stretch marks can happen at any age and not just happen during the postpartum period to new mothers. Let's discuss this in detail.
What Causes Stretch Marks? Cortisone is a hormone that is produced naturally by the adrenal glands of our body. The increase in cortisone in the human body results in skin stretching, thus causing stretch marks. However, if the level of cortisone hormone increases, then the skin loses its flexibility and elasticity. These marks are often itchy, and therefore, the skin needs to be kept hydrated to keep away the itchiness. Below are a few circumstances that can cause stretch marks, especially in women:
Typically, all women develop stretch marks during their pregnancy; as the baby grows in the womb, it stretches the skin. The continuous stretching and dragging cause the formation of long purple marks over the skin. Often, teenagers also experience stretch marks on their bodies as they lose or gain weight. This happens during puberty when their body experiences a sudden spurt of growth. Constant exposure to lotions, pills, corticosteroid creams makes the skin lose its elasticity, thus causing stretch marks. Several other syndromes like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, Marfan’s syndrome, and other disorders related to the adrenal gland can cause stretch marks, as the level of cortisone hormone doubles up in the body. It may also happen if the person is a fitness enthusiast and does weightlifting exercises. Sudden gain of weight due to some medical condition, or living an unhealthy lifestyle. It may also happen due to sudden loss of weight. The stretch marks visibly appear as the skin starts losing its elasticity.