Striae or stretch marks look like small scars on the skin. It affects all races and affects women more commonly than men.
There are several possible causes. Hormones may cause these red lines on the skin, but they can also appear when the skin is stretched. Sometimes they are a sign of illness. Many girls and guys notice them for the first time when they are in their teens.
The most common places are the thighs, breasts, hips, abdomen, flank and buttocks. Women who have been pregnant often have them on their abdomen and breasts. Users of anabolic steroids are also at risk. With steroid use striae is usually larger and wider, involving widespread areas.
When these stretch marks first appear they are pinkish, (dark) red or purple. After some time they turn a dull white and become less visible.
You cannot do anything to make striae disappear since it concerns the true skin. Crèmes and ointment that are promoted to solve the problem will not do you much good. Loosing weigh doesn’t have any effect either.