Do you notice random stretch marks on stomach or stretch marks on back? It may seem as though these appeared out of nowhere, and may even be red, purple, pink, reddish-brown, or dark brown and some may appear as thick stretch marks. While they may look scary, stretch marks are nothing to fear. However, they can become annoying to look at. 

Stretch marks develop as a result of your skin stretching or shrinking too quickly. This abrupt change causes the collagen and elastin to rupture and as the skin begins to heal, stretch marks may appear. 

There are some stretch mark complications that you’ll want to know about for example stretch marks with bumps, itchy stretch marks, and swollen stretch marks. 

Can stretch marks harm you?

The first appearance of stretch marks can be scary because they tend to be deep colors of red, purple, and pink, depending on your skin color. Sometimes stretch marks may even feel slightly raised and be itchy when they are new. Stretch marks are not harmful and do not cause any medical problems. 

And the deep colors and raised scars will fade and the narrow bands will begin to sink beneath your skin. When you run your fingers over mature stretch marks, you will feel a slight depression.

Are stretch marks harmful during pregnancy?

Stretch marks are a natural result of pregnancy for so many women. This is a result of your skin stretching to make room for your developing baby and growing uterus. While not every pregnant woman will get them many do and thankfully these stretch marks tend to fade over time. They are not harmful and can be seen as a gentle reminder of your beautiful baby that should be worn as a badge of honor. Let’s face it it’s hard work being pregnant and giving birth you should be proud. 

There are some ways that you can soothe your skin to help reduce the risk of stretch marks naturally. But there are some things that you should know about stretch mark treatments while pregnant.

Stretch marks themselves are not harmful during pregnancy. However, some treatments can be harmful during pregnancy. There are many stretch mark removal methods and products on the market that should not be used while you are pregnant. The safest methods of treatment to help reduce and prevent stretch marks are silicone patches that do not use any harmful ingredients.

Reasons for stretch marks

It sometimes seems as though you're getting stretch marks for no reason at all. However, the truth is you don’t get stretch marks for no reason. A stretch mark appears when your skin is stretched beyond its elasticity. The severity of your stretch marks is affected by a variety of factors that often begin with your genetics. Your cortisol level will also play a role because cortisol is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands and affects the elastic fibers in the skin.

Anyone can develop stretch marks which is why you can find stretch marks on teens. However, generally, there is a direct cause as to why they are developing.  Some of these factors include 

• You have a family history of stretch marks
• If you are young and pregnant, but pregnancy alone will do it
• Growth spurts during adolescence and growing too quickly - this is why it’s common to find stretch marks on lower back teenagers
• Gaining or losing weight rapidly 
• Applying corticosteroids for a long time
• Weight training and experiencing rapid muscle growth or using anabolic steroids
• And some genetic disorders including Cushing's syndrome and Marfan syndrome

Can a dermatologist help with stretch marks?

If you’re looking for a more aggressive approach to eliminating stretch marks a dermatologist can help with various cosmetic dermatology procedures, that range from mild, non-invasive procedures to invasive surgery. Some of the most common cosmetic procedures for stretch marks include

• Pulsed-Dye Laser Therapy is a painless treatment that uses pulsed light at new stretch marks. This calms problematic blood vessels to reduce stretch and the appearance of stretch marks.
• Fractional Laser Therapy, this newer method uses light/heat energy to smooth out older stretch marks.
• Microdermabrasion, microdermabrasion is often used for acne and has been known to reduce stretch marks by rubbing away the top layers of skin and therefore promoting the growth of new skin cells.
• Surgical Procedures, this invasive surgery is similar to tummy tucks and completely removes the skin containing stretch marks.

Each of these procedures contains the risk of various side effects and complications and can be extremely costly. There are less invasive, more effective, and extremely affordable methods of treatment for stretch marks.

There is a much safer method of treatment that will cost far less, is less expensive, and naturally produces that development of collagen to eliminate stretch marks - 100% medical-grade silicone patches. Unlike other brands of silicone patches that use harsh ingredients, Dermaclara silicone patches are packed with vitamin C, retinol and pro-retinol, and hyaluronic acid.

It’s these high-quality ingredients that provide optimal results when it comes to naturally hydrating and nourishing your skin. They create a microclimate that boosts moisture, collagen, and elastin for the perfect solution when it comes to stretch marks.

By wearing these patches for 20 minutes a day you’ll begin to notice a difference when it comes to the appearance of your stretch marks. Your skin will even begin to brighten, hydrate, and the layers of your skin will become smoother. The best part is these patches have been scientifically proven to eliminate stretch marks within just a few short months without invasive and costly procedures. 

How to deal with itchy stretch marks

New stretch marks can be itchy, and the reason they are itchy is related to your skin quality. As the skin stretches it becomes thinner, softer, and is less supported than it was before and because of the lack of support to nerve effectors, they are more sensitive and prone to itching. 

Stretch marks themselves are not harmful but sometimes can cause some discomfort when they are itchy. When you itch them it can lead to cuts from scratching which can lead to infections. This is why you must be applying a soothing moisturizer to prevent scratching. 

If you notice bumpy stretch marks that are itchy you may be experiencing something else. You can be experiencing something called PUPPP, also known as pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy. This is a patch of itchy, hive-like bumps that form in the stretch marks when you're pregnant. But don’t worry it's harmless to you and your baby. It’s just a pain to deal with. Be sure that you are not applying anything harmful to your skin to eliminate the itch.  

And if you notice a rash on stretch marks not pregnant ​​this is a result of stretching skin, dryness, compromised skin barriers, healing skin, and more. There’s nothing to worry about, but you’ll want to address these skin issues to eliminate the itch and improve the appearance of your stretch marks. A stretch mark like rash is often the start of a new stretch mark, and the itch and deep color will begin to fade.

When to see a doctor about stretch marks?

If you’re concerned with teen stretch marks, extreme stretch marks, or have cuts in your stretch marks and want to ensure the quality of your skin is good, seeing a doctor isn’t a bad idea. When you discuss your stretch marks doctor will be able to help you determine what may have caused them, and tell you whether or not they are infected due to scratching.