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Stretch marks in teenagers

Why stretch marks appear during puberty, where they show up, and why waiting is usually the right plan, from Stretch Mark Removal London.

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Stretch marks in puberty, explained

Stretch marks are common in teenagers. The NHS lists puberty among the usual causes, because a fast growth spurt stretches the skin of the back, thighs, hips, bottom and breasts faster than the dermis can adapt. They are harmless, and they happen to boys as well as girls. Stretch Mark Removal London explains what to expect and why waiting is usually the right plan.

New marks are red, purple or darker than the skin around them, and they fade to paler lines over a year or two after growth slows. Treatment is rarely worth considering while growth is still under way, because new marks can keep forming and existing ones are still improving on their own. Keeping the skin moisturised can ease itching in the meantime. The guide to how stretch marks fade explains the timeline.

Why do teenagers get stretch marks?

  • A fast growth spurt during puberty
  • Breast and hip growth in puberty
  • Gaining weight quickly
  • Fast muscle growth from sport or training
  • A family member with stretch marks

Stretch marks on a teenager's back

Horizontal lines across the lower back of a tall teenager are one of the commonest patterns after a growth spurt. They often appear quickly, which can be worrying, and they are harmless. They fade over the following year or two. Very wide purple marks alongside a rounder face, weight gain on the tummy or fat at the back of the neck are the signs the NHS asks people to show a GP. The guide to stretch marks on the back covers them in full.

Stretch marks in teenage girls

In girls, marks often appear on the hips, thighs, bottom and breasts as the body changes shape in puberty. They are a normal part of growing for many teenagers and usually fade a long way over time. Creams can ease itching but have little evidence behind them for preventing or fading marks, so money is better saved until growth has finished and it is clear which marks remain.

Recommended treatments

  • Stretch mark treatments compared Once growth has finished and marks have settled, an adult can be assessed like anyone else; the guide explains which treatments reduce the appearance of older marks.

FAQ

Stretch marks in teenagers
questions answered

Are stretch marks normal in teenagers?

Yes. The NHS lists puberty among the usual causes of stretch marks, and they are harmless. They often appear on the lower back, thighs, hips, bottom and breasts during a growth spurt. Stretch Mark Removal London notes they fade to paler lines over a year or two after growth slows.

Should teenagers have stretch mark treatment?

Usually not while growth is still under way, because new marks can keep forming and existing ones are still fading on their own. Stretch Mark Removal London suggests a moisturiser for itching and a second look once growth has finished, when an assessment can say what, if anything, is worth doing.

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Describe the marks in two lines.
An assessment follows if one is worth having.

Stretch Mark Removal London • UNTIL, 111 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DT

Ask for an Assessment

Send the form and get a response within 1 hour, to book your assessment for today or tomorrow. Say roughly how old the marks are and whether they are still red. UNTIL Health Concierge arranges the assessment at UNTIL Soho or Marylebone.