Stretch Marks on Breasts: Why They Appear and How to Treat Them
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A bullet point for the stretch marks
You may wonder if it’s normal to have stretch marks on your breasts. You’re not alone. Dermatologist Asfa Akhtar, DO, says most stretch marks are part of growing up and often fade with time.
“If you really want to get rid of them, a board-certified dermatologist can discuss your options,” Dr. Akhtar says. “Treatments start with topical therapy and then move forward to laser and energy-based treatments.”
Dr. Akhtar explains the what, why and how of breast stretch marks.
What are stretch marks?
“Stretch marks on your breasts are a normal physiologic response to stretching of the skin in most people,” Dr. Ahktarsays.
New stretch marks look like curvy lines or streaks that are pink, red or purple in color. Older stretch marks appear lighter in color and fade with time but may never disappear completely.
Why do I have stretch marks on my breasts?
Stretch marks on your breasts develop for many reasons, and those reasons aren’t the same for everyone.
“The dermis lies below the epidermis, which is the top layer of your skin,” Dr. Akhtar explains. “The dermis has a connective tissue framework that includes collagen, elastin and fibrillin.” Stretch marks can develop when there are changes in that connective tissue.
These skin changes can happen for several reasons.
Hormonal changes
Skin changes during puberty are the most common reason for stretch marks on the breasts.
“They develop when your skin rapidly stretches as your breasts develop,” Dr. Akhtar says. “We also see breast stretch marks in pregnant women as their breasts enlarge.”
Genetics
Blame it on your parents. “Some people are just genetically predisposed to develop stretch marks,” Dr. Akhtar says.
Comorbid conditions
Comorbidities are two or more medical conditions that occur together or right after each other.
“Some people who develop breast stretch marks have other conditions, too, such as obesity or Cushing’s syndrome (which is a disorder caused by too much of the stress hormone cortisol),” Dr. Akhtar says.
Medications
Adults can develop breast stretch marks from taking medications that suddenly stretch their skin. These medications include long-term use of systemic corticosteroids.
Weight fluctuations
Sudden weight fluctuation, including pregnancy and growth spurts, can cause breast stretch marks. Weight gain is associated with increased fat and connective tissue, which causes breast size to grow and leads to the development of stretch marks.
On the other hand, weight loss can decrease the level of collagen and elasticity of the skin, which can also result in stretch marks.
Muscle growth
Rapid muscle mass increase, which can happen in weightlifters, is another common cause of stretch marks.
Can stretch marks change over time?
Just like scars, stretch marks change in appearance the longer you have them:
Stage 1: When they first appear, stretch marks look red to purple. They are usually very light, raised lesions.
Stage 2: As time goes on, stretch marks start to fade to a lighter color.
Stage 3: As stretch marks become older, they may turn whitish and become slightly depressed, smaller marks. The surface may also become more wrinkled.
How to get rid of stretch marks on your breasts
Treatments for breast stretch marks aim to increase skin collagen levels and hydration. But Dr. Akhtar says timing is everything.
“The sooner you see a board-certified dermatologist — when the stretch marks are still new and purplish or pinkish in color— the easier it is to treat them,” she says. “Once they become older, it’s not easy to get rid of them. There are some treatments but few are effective.”
People who are breastfeeding or pregnant should first check with their doctor before starting any treatments for stretch marks.
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