How To Suss Out Your Stretch Marks

Here at Grazia Daily, we're big believers that every body is a great body. And when it comes to stretch marks (or tiger stripes, as we like to call them), there's no reason not to celebrate them as part of the story that made you you - whether you gained them after having a baby, or growing two foot in one summer.

As Chrissy Teigan showed us last year with her cute Instagram snap, there's no reason not to be proud of your 'stretchies'.

But if yours are bothering you, there are ways to get hands-on and tackle them, should you want to. We spoke to Dr Anita Sturnham, the glamorous GP behind new breakthrough skincare brand, NURISS, about what they are and how to beat them...

What are stretch marks?

'Stretch marks are narrow streaks or lines that occur on the surface of the skin. Anyone can get them, but they tend to affect women more than men,' Anita told us. 'About 8 out of 10 women get stretch marks during pregnancy, while about 7 out of 10 girls and 4 out of 10 boys get them during puberty.'

What do stretch marks look like?

'Stretch marks are usually long and thin,' said Anita. 'They are often red or purple to start with, before gradually fading to a silvery-white colour.' There are plenty of different stretch mark hotspots too: 'The tummy, buttocks, breasts and thighs are the areas of the body most often affected.'

What causes stretch marks?

'Stretch marks are the result of the skin suddenly stretching,' Anita explained. 'The middle layer of skin, called the dermis, breaks in places, which allows the deeper layers of skin to show through.'

"The dermis can be stretched when someone’s body shape changes rapidly, like during pregnancy, adolescent growth spurts or sudden weight loss or gain."

What treats stretch marks?

Anita told us that it can be a tough nut to crack.

'Prevention is better than cure, so try to avoid yo-yo diets that lead to fluctuations in weight, as this can lead to stretch marks.

'If you have stretch marks there are some good over-the-counter products to help fade these pesky things, such as Viatamin E oils, or Bio Oil, but if you're looking for a more advanced solution, you may wish to consider laser therapy. An iPixel laser can transmit heat energy deep into the skin, causing the collagen to heat to a level where it contracts and starts to tighten and lift the skin.

'This immediate tightening effect is then followed by an increased production of collagen over the next few weeks following the treatment. As well as boosting collagen, the heat energy makes lots of little tiny holes in the skin using a fractional laser, which stimulates a healing process so that new healthy skin cells replace old ones.

'Alternatively, IMPACT Ultrasound can be used to gently deliver collagen-boosting active ingredients such as peptides, stem cells, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants deep into the skin, where they work most effectively and can start to heal and repair the skin.'

Is there anything we can eat to prevent stretch marks?

'Don't forget the added benefits of your diet. Eating plenty of brightly coloured fruit and vegetables, which are rich in beta carotene, a form of vitamin A, can boost collagen and potentially improve stretch marks. And Omega 3 fatty acids found in oily fish, nuts and avocados are also thought to be great for collagen remodelling.'

Shop our picks of the best at-home solutions in the gallery below...