Stretch Mark

Stretch marks are very common, affecting 70% of adolescent girls and 40% of boys. They occur in certain areas of the body where the skin is subjected to continuous and progressive stretching. These include:

• Abdomen and breast in pregnant women
• Adolescents undergoing growth spurts (thighs, buttocks, breasts)
• Obese or overweight people

Stretch marks can also occur from prolonged use of oral or topical corticosteroids and from anabolic steroids. They are also a feature of the disease Cushing syndrome, where increased adrenal cortical activity excessive.