# What are they, and why do you get stretch-marks? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 10, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-they-and-why-do-you-get-stretch-marks/174322 "2003-05-10T14:42:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nimsay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5e9695/32.png) [@Nimsay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nimsay)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-they-and-why-do-you-get-stretch-marks/174322/1 "2003-05-10T14:42:32Z")
For the longest, I’ve been trying to figure out some information about stretch-marks. When I was younger, my two older sisters, who have stretch-marks, said that everyone gets them when they turn a certain age. Usually around 13-14, which I am older than now. Whenever they see me they say, “Do you have them yet?” “Oh, you’ll be getting them really soon.” Now, some people will say that stretch-marks are from being over-weight, which is not true at all. I’ve came across lots of people who are very much over weight and do not have stretch-marks. Some will say it comes from stretching your muscles too much, like weight-lifters and so forth. I’m really afraid I will get them. One of my sisters has tried almost everything. From soaps, to oils, to creams…it just wouldn’t work. She finally gave up and said that there’s no way to get rid of them. If you don’t want them to show, just put make up over them. I’m currently using olive oil, shea butter, and sometimes almond oil (when I don’t have my olive oil). Now, I’m wondering, what the hell are stretch-marks and why do they occur? And, is the olive oil & shea butter preventing them from coming?😕 ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-they-and-why-do-you-get-stretch-marks/174322/2 "2003-05-10T15:02:02Z")
You get stretch marks when your skin stretches a lot for any reason, like pregnancy or a sudden growth. Soaps and oils are not going to do anything. OTOH, I can’t see why you’d be scared of having them. I have a few from my early teens and I always joke that I have a tiger in my family tree. ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-they-and-why-do-you-get-stretch-marks/174322/3 "2003-05-10T15:12:31Z")
Here’s a [link for you](http://www.1uphealth.com/health/striae_info.html) regarding the causes of stretch marks. When I was pregnant, I was told that while the top layer of skin can be softened with creams or lotions to **reduce the appearance** of stretch marks, they actually go into the lower layers of skin. Some people have skin which is naturally more elastic, and they are less likely to get stretch marks. I have _never_ heard of stretch marks being something that just “happens,” or that one should expect at a certain age. Obesity and pregnancy are the most common causes, although the article I referenced mentions diabetes as a possible contributing factor. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-they-and-why-do-you-get-stretch-marks/174322/4 "2003-05-10T15:28:32Z")
Hitting puberty hard and fast is also a pretty common cause of stretch marks. When I was 13, I went from an A cup to a D cup in a little over a year while maintaining a steady weight. As a result, my breasts are just _full_ of stretch marks, as are my hips. My guess is that’s why your sisters both got them around 13 or so. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2003, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-they-and-why-do-you-get-stretch-marks/174322/5 "2003-05-10T17:21:59Z")
It’s now believe that stretch marks are caused by hormones for the most part. Google [stretch marks hormones] for more info.