Stretch marks (striae) are indented streaks that appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks or other places on the body. They're common in pregnant women, especially during the last trimester. Stretch marks aren't painful or harmful, but some people don't like the way they make their skin look.

Understanding the Context

Stretch marks don't require treatment. Stretch marks (the medical term is striae) are indented streaks that occur due to overstretching of skin. This is a common skin concern, and these marks are harmless. However, one may not like them due to cosmetic reasons.

Key Insights

The commonly affected areas are the breast, abdomen, lower back, thighs, buttocks, upper arms, or calves. We instinctively shield our abdomen when we are physically threatened, and we may feel vulnerable when someone puts his or her hand on our bare abdomen. Therefore, with an abdominal examination the ... Stretch marks are fine lines on the body that occur from tissue under your skin tearing from rapid growth or over-stretching. It is a common condition that does not cause any significant medical problems but can be of cosmetic concern for some people.

Final Thoughts

Other names for stretch marks are: Striae caerulea (dark blue). Striae, or "stretch marks", begin as reddish or purple lesions which can appear anywhere on the body, but are most likely to appear in places where larger amounts of fat are stored. Overview What are stretch marks? Stretch marks (striae) are discolored, slightly sunken (depressed), scar-like lines in your skin. They appear when your skin rapidly stretches or shrinks. Stretch marks are very common and are rarely a sign of a significant medical problem.

Stretch marks (striae distensae) appear as linear streaks on the skin that have been overstretched, and they run perpendicular to maximum lines of tension in the skin. Stretch marks Stretch marks are irregular areas of skin that look like bands, stripes, or lines. Stretch marks are seen when a person grows or gains weight rapidly or has certain diseases or conditions. The medical name for stretch marks is striae.