‘How to get rid of stretch marks?’ is one of the most googled questions on the internet. Often perceived as a flaw on the skin, stretch marks are a natural occurrence in most humans. It appears stripe-like and results from skin stretching due to natural and unnatural causes. 

Some of the common body areas where stretch marks occur are the breasts, abdomen, hips, butt, and thighs. This blog will focus on the types of stretch marks on breasts, their reasons, removal, and prevention. 

Stretch marks on breasts – Reasons

When the skin expands, it loses elasticity and forms cracks between the connective tissues. This causes atrophic dermal scars under the atrophic epidermal layer, also known as stretch marks. There are a variety of reasons for stretch marks under breasts, some of them are:

  • Puberty

Every girl undergoes hormonal and bodily changes during puberty. The growth of breasts, thighs, hips, and hair in private areas is an essential part of it. An increase in breast size during puberty is one reason for stretch marks on breasts.

  • Pregnancy and Childbirth

Not only does a woman’s abdomen, but her breasts also start to increase in size during pregnancy. After childbirth, women’s breasts double in size due to lactation. This causes stretch marks. 

  • Weight loss/ gain

Rapid increase and decrease in breast size due to weight loss or weight gain can also lead to stretch marks under the breasts.

  • Plastic surgery

Breast implants can lead to stretch marks since the breast tissue is moved around and stretched to accommodate the silicon implants.

  • Genes

Apart from the above stretch marks on breast reasons, genetics play a role too. Stretch marks are not hereditary but if your parents have them, there is more likeliness of you getting them.

Stretch marks on breasts – Types

Stretch marks appear to be red, pink, or purple in color when they first form and turn paler or whiter in color over time. Three common types of stretch marks occur on breasts, they are:

  • Striae atrophicae

When the skin expands due to weight gain and workouts, it loosed elasticity and scars. These are stretch marks are called striae atrophicae.

  • Striae distensae

Stretch marks caused due to skin expansion, especially during puberty are called striae atrophicae. Stretch marks under breast are a common sight for teenagers during puberty.

  • Striae gravidarum

Stretch marks caused due to pregnancy changes in a woman’s body are striae distensae. These usually occur in the abdomen and breast areas.

Stretch marks on breasts – Removal & Prevention

There are plenty of at-home remedies, cosmetic products, and procedures available for breast stretch marks removal. Some of them are:

  • At-home remedies

Exfoliate: Removing dead skin cells, using a good exfoliating scrub or wash, will help in collagen production. Collagen helps return elasticity to the skin and fading of stretch marks. 

Massage: Using nourishing moisturizers that contain vitamin E, like cocoa butter, and shea butter to massage the stretch mark areas, increases blood circulation. This aids in fading all types of stretch marks on breasts.

Hydrate: Dry skin increases stretch marks, therefore hydrating it from within is also necessary. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. This helps in reducing the stretch marks on breasts.

  • Cosmetic products and treatments 

Topical ointments: Dermatologists suggest gels and solutions that contain hyaluronic acid, ascorbic acid, glycolic acid, and retinoic acid for the reduction of stretch marks on the breast.

Cosmetic treatments: Laser resurfacing therapy, microdermabrasion, acid peels, and collagen injections are very effective in fading away stretch marks. 

  • Prevention

Stretch marks due to pregnancy, genes, or plastic surgery cannot be prevented, but they can be minimized with proper massage, exfoliation, and hydration of the skin. Leading an active lifestyle will help prevent breast stretch marks than occur due to weight gain or loss.