N
The Daily Insight

Does everybody have stretch marks?

Author

James Olson

Updated on March 12, 2026

Stretch Marks. Stretch marks are a normal part of puberty for most girls and guys. When a person grows or gains weight really quickly (like during puberty), that person may get fine lines on the body called stretch marks. Most girls and women have them, usually on their breasts, thighs, hips, and butt.

Similarly, you may ask, is it normal to not have stretch marks?

Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, tells SELF that stretch marks are “very common,” whether someone's had kids or not. People develop stretch marks when there is rapid stretching of the skin, he explains—for example, during times of quick growth or weight gain.

Subsequently, question is, how common is stretch marks? Stretch marks are long, narrow streaks, stripes, or lines that develop on the skin. They occur when the skin is suddenly stretched and are extremely common. Anyone can develop stretch marks, although they tend to affect more women than men. Over 50 percent of women experience stretch marks during pregnancy.

Likewise, people ask, does everybody get stretch marks?

Stretch marks are very common – as Chrissy Teigen says 'everyone has a stretch mark'. As they occur during puberty, pregnancy and after rapid growth changes, it's safe to say that most people over the age of eighteen will have a stretch mark somewhere.

Can you actually get rid of stretch marks?

Stretch marks. Getting rid of stretch marks in a completely natural way isn't likely. They're a type of scarring that rarely fades enough to become invisible. However, there are some remedies that can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks and help them to fade more quickly.

Related Question Answers

Do models have stretch marks?

Stretch marks are a common, totally normal physical feature, but we don't often see them in clothing ads. It's not because models don't have stretch marks, but because they're usually Photoshopped away.

Will teenage stretch marks fade?

Stretch marks are a normal part of growing for many men and women. They can occur during puberty, pregnancy, or rapid muscle or weight gain. Stretch marks are not likely to go away on their own.

Will stretch marks go away if I lose weight?

The good news is that stretch marks may simply disappear on their own after weight loss or childbirth. If the stretch marks don't go away, they may fade1? or become less noticeable.

Are stretch marks bad?

Stretch marks aren't dangerous, and they often disappear over time. You can have stretch marks just about anywhere, but they're most common on your stomach, breasts, upper arms, thighs, and buttocks.

Do purple stretch marks go away?

They aren't dangerous, and although they may first appear dark purple or red, they usually fade over time. If you're interested in products to improve the appearance of stretch marks, consult your dermatologist or doctor.

Do white stretch marks go away?

The difference in color distinguishes how old the marks are. Though they may never disappear completely, treatment can lighten the color of your marks and shrink them. In other cases, stretch marks fade away on their own. White stretch marks (striae alba) are older and more difficult to treat.

Do Victoria Secret models have stretch marks?

Lais Ribeiro Proves Victoria's Secret Models Can Have Stretch Marks, Too. "She is a human, like you and me," a fan posted on social media after noticing Ribeiro's stretch marks in this photo taken backstage at the Shanghai show. "She has stretch marks like all the girls and that's not ugly. Stretch marks are beautiful!

Why do I get stretch marks so easily?

Stretch marks are long, narrow streaks or stripes that occur when the skin is stretched too quickly. Pregnancy, puberty, and rapid weight gain can all cause stretch marks.

Why do I have stretch marks if I'm not fat?

Stretch marks are a result of skin stretching and an increase of cortisone in your system. This continual tugging and stretching can cause stretch marks. Stretch marks sometimes appear when you rapidly gain or lose weight. Teenagers may also notice stretch marks after a sudden growth spurt.

Will stretch marks stay forever?

Stretch marks will never completely disappear, but they do fade over time, becoming much less noticeable as they age. You can usually expect them to fade from six months to a year after the lines have appeared.

Do stretch marks stay red forever?

You can think of new stretch marks as small injuries to your skin. This explains why fresh stretch marks are red. The redness doesn't last forever. As stretch marks heal, they'll eventually turn white and start to become less noticeable as they fade over time.

How do I permanently get rid of stretch marks?

The use of cocoa butter helps reduce stretch marks and I have seen that if used during and after pregnancy it makes the stretch marks disappear completely. The best time to use cocoa butter is at night, so massage it well into the skin and over a period of time you will find the stretch marks reducing and fading away.

How do I minimize stretch marks?

Here are a few effective home remedies to reduce stretch marks -
  1. Aloe Vera. Aloe vera is a plant that helps regenerate skin tissue and as such it has miraculous healing properties.
  2. Cocoa Butter.
  3. Cucumber and Lemon Juice.
  4. Almond and Coconut Oil.
  5. Apricot Mask and Oil.
  6. Castor Oil.
  7. Nourishing Skin Mask.

What happens to stretch marks when you lose weight?

The good news is that stretch marks may simply disappear on their own after weight loss or childbirth. If the stretch marks don't go away, they may fade1? or become less noticeable.

Does Vaseline help stretch marks?

Want to reduce the appearance of stretch marks? Vaseline® Healing Jelly helps soothe skin . Stretch marks are caused when the skin is stretched very quickly.

Are stretch marks normal for a 15 year old?

Stretch marks are a normal part of puberty for most girls and guys. Most girls and women have them, usually on their breasts, thighs, hips, and butt. Many women get them during pregnancy. Stretch marks are more common in girls, but guys can get them, too.

Does drinking water reduce stretch marks?

Preventing stretch marks is difficult, but there are three key things you can do to help curb their appearance. Drink Water: Drinking water keeps your entire body and your skin well hydrated. This keeps your skin supple and less prone to the tears associated with stretch marks.

Does every girl have stretch marks?

Stretch marks are a normal part of puberty for most girls and guys. Most girls and women have them, usually on their breasts, thighs, hips, and butt. Many women get them during pregnancy. Stretch marks are more common in girls, but guys can get them, too.

What percentage of females have stretch marks?

An estimated 80 percent of people have stretchmarks, which are often caused by rapid growth, weight changes or hormonal changes. Pregnancy is often the biggest cause — leaving moms with “tiger stripes” — but men aren't unaffected by stretch marks and women who haven't had children get them too.

Does lasering stretch marks hurt?

While you might feel some mild discomfort, there really shouldn't be any serious pain. When it comes to recovery from laser stretch mark removal, it's better than traditional surgical methods (you may get some redness and swelling for a few days).

Are teenage stretch marks permanent?

Stretch marks. Stretch marks are a normal part of growing for many men and women. They can occur during puberty, pregnancy, or rapid muscle or weight gain. Stretch marks are not likely to go away on their own.

How much does it cost to remove stretch marks?

How much does laser stretch mark removal cost? According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS), skin resurfacing treatments of this kind have a vast cost range of $500 to $8,900. Each ablative laser treatment costs an average of $2,681.

How long does it take for stretch marks to fade?

Stretch marks often fade over time and become unnoticeable. For women who develop stretch marks in pregnancy, these usually become less noticeable around 6 to 12 months after giving birth. Makeup can be used to conceal stretch marks on more exposed areas of the body while they are more pronounced.

How do celebrities get rid of stretch marks?

Fractionated Laser Therapy – This treatment reduces the appearance of stretch marks by targeting the skin in one area at a time through a specialized laser. Doing so removes the old skin so new skin could regenerate.

Which oil is best for stretch marks?

Some of the best choices for stretch marks include:
  1. Argan oil. Argan essential oil is a popular natural product for skin and hair care.
  2. Bitter almond oil.
  3. Bitter orange oil.
  4. Lavender oil.
  5. Neroli oil.
  6. Patchouli oil.
  7. Pomegranate oil.
  8. Frankincense essential oil.