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.
Stretch marks don’t require treatment. They often fade over time, with or without treatment. They may never disappear completely.
Symptoms
Stretch marks in pregnancyOpen pop-up dialog box Widespread stretch marks Open pop-up dialog box
Stretch marks don’t all look alike. They vary depending on how long you’ve had them, what caused them, where they are on your body and the type of skin you have. Common variations include:
- Indented streaks or lines on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks or other places on the body
- Pink, red, black, blue or purple streaks
- Bright streaks that fade to a lighter color
- Streaks covering large areas of the body
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you’re concerned about the appearance of your skin or if the stretch marks cover large areas of your body. Your doctor can help determine the cause of the stretch marks and discuss treatment options.
