Stretch Marks (Striae):
Information for adults

Stretch marks are usually seen on the belly and breasts during pregnancy; the thighs and lower back of adolescent men; and the thighs, buttocks, and breasts of adolescent women. They are common on the shoulders of bodybuilders. Lesions may be widespread or occur in other locations in people who are using corticosteroids or have an underlying disease.

Stretch marks change in appearance with time. At first, they are faint pink, appearing in a line (linear), or they are parallel band-like marks, which might be slightly itchy. They gradually enlarge and become red to purple, often with a wrinkled surface. Finally, they become white, slightly flatter (depressed), with a crepe paper appearance of linear marks 1-10 mm wide and many centimeters long.