Stretch marks are fine lines on the skin that form when the skin stretches faster than it can respond, which is a common change in the body. At first they are usually red or purple, and over time they fade to a lighter shade. Cosmetics cannot remove them completely, but you can care for your skin regularly and with love, for example with Láskykvet whipped body butter. You will find more in the body butters category, and our Advisor can help you choose.
How do stretch marks form?
Stretch marks form in the middle layer of the skin, known technically as the dermis. If the skin stretches suddenly, its supporting fibres become overloaded and a fine groove forms in the deeper layer, which shows on the surface as a line. That is why stretch marks appear mainly during periods of marked change in the body: during growth in adolescence, when weight goes up or down, or when muscle mass increases with exercise. Hormonal changes and genetic predisposition also play their part, so some people get stretch marks after a small change and others not at all. The technical name is striae, from the Latin stria, meaning groove or line. It is the skin's natural response to change, not a sign of neglect. No one needs to be ashamed of stretch marks; they belong to a body that lives and changes.
Where do stretch marks appear most often?
Stretch marks appear where the skin stretches the most. The most common searches are about stretch marks on the belly, thighs, hips, back, breasts and arms. The table below gives you a rough overview of when they usually appear in each place. It is only a general description, not a diagnosis, and every body is unique. Care is equally gentle in all these places; the only difference is how comfortably you can reach them. On the belly and thighs it is easy, while for the back it is worth using a longer sponge or asking someone close to you for help. For the breasts and arms, a lighter texture that spreads easily and does not leave a sticky feeling helps. What matters is that you feel good while caring for your skin, not that you go looking for flaws.
| Area | When stretch marks appear here | What to keep in mind when caring for it |
|---|---|---|
| Belly | with a change in body circumference, with a change in weight | massage gently in circular movements after a shower |
| Thighs and hips | in adolescence, with a change in figure | massage the butter into still slightly damp skin |
| Back | with rapid growth in puberty | ask someone close for help or use a longer body sponge |
| Breasts | with a change in body size | care for the skin with particular gentleness |
| Arms and shoulders | with muscle growth from exercise | reach for a lighter lotion that spreads easily |
They appear in both women and men. In boys and men they are most often found on the back, shoulders and thighs, for example during growth in puberty or with exercise. Stretch marks in puberty are a common companion of growth. Even if you find them unpleasant, they are not a sign of poor care but of a change in the body. As with other changes in the body, none of this is a reason to hide. Many people have them and wear them calmly. If you are interested in the scientific details, you will find them, for example, in an overview of studies on stretch marks (striae distensae) (source: PubMed database). This is scientific literature, so do not expect simple how-tos, but you will certainly learn why they form.
Can stretch marks be removed?
The honest answer is that cosmetics cannot remove them. They are a change in a deeper layer of the skin that creams and butters cannot reach. What cosmetics can do is give the skin care: moisture, softness, scent and a pleasant feeling to the touch. The look of stretch marks changes over time even without any intervention: red and purple lines fade to a lighter shade and so blend with the surrounding skin in the light. That is why it is good to approach them with patience and as part of your own story. If stretch marks bother you because of how they look and you are looking for professional options, talk to a dermatologist, who will explain what is available and what is suitable for you. In the next section we will show you how to care for your skin at home.
How to care for skin with stretch marks
Caring for skin with stretch marks is above all a regular, calm ritual. It is not a battle but a moment for yourself, in which you treat yourself to calm, scent and touch. Your body serves you day after day, so it is worth treating it like someone close to you whom you understand. Choose a time that suits you, ideally after an evening shower, when you can pause and are not in a hurry to go anywhere. The routine is simple:
- After a shower, gently pat your skin dry, leaving it still slightly damp.
- Apply butter or lotion and massage it in with slow circular movements.
- Pay attention to the areas where the skin stretches the most.
- Every now and then add a gentle body scrub to prepare the skin.
- Do not forget to drink enough and wear comfortable clothing.
From our range, whipped butters made from plant fats suit this ritual well; they melt on contact with the skin and have a lovely scent. Lipa whipped body butter is based on sunflower oil, shea butter and mango butter. Láskykvet has a similar base enriched with linden extract and smells of figs and vanilla. If you prefer a lighter texture, reach for a body lotion. Always check the ingredients on the product page, especially if you have sensitive skin, because our butters are fragranced. Remember that no product will remove stretch marks, but it can give you comfort and the joy of regular care. You can read about how to care for your skin with a body scrub in the article 5 reasons why a body scrub should be a regular part of your care.
When to talk to a doctor
Stretch marks are a common change that usually does not need a doctor. Talk to one if they appear suddenly and in large numbers without an obvious change in your body, if they are noticeably painful or itch more than usual, or if redness, swelling or another change in the skin appears with them. The same applies if stretch marks weigh on you emotionally and you want to know the professional options. Cosmetics care for the look and feel of the skin and do not replace a medical examination or treatment. A doctor can assess whether these are ordinary stretch marks or a change that needs different attention, and advise you on what to do next. Do not hesitate to make an appointment if you feel that something is not right.
Did you know…
The technical name for stretch marks is striae, from the Latin word stria, meaning groove or line.