Red, violet, pink, white stretch marks: how to identify them?

There are two types of stretch marks:

• Stretch marks indicating a health problem : For instance, Cushing's syndrome, caused by an excess of corticosteroids in the body, can lead to significant stretch marks. Indeed, when the adrenal glands produce an excessive amount of cortisol or during abusive and/or long and prolonged use of corticosteroid-based medications, this stress hormone aggressively affects the production of collagen and elastin, both of which are essential for ensuring the flexibility and elasticity of the skin.

• Classic stretch marks : They are not associated with any specific health problems, but are nevertheless linked to a hormonal disorder. Indeed, these skin lesions appear either during puberty or during the second trimester of pregnancy. Sudden weight gain and loss are also factors that promote the development of classic stretch marks. The appearance of stretch marks can also be hereditary or genetic. Indeed, thin and fragile skin is less resistant to tension, which causes lesions in case of stretching.

The colour of stretch marks can indicate their progression or signal a health issue. Pink, red or purple stretch marks are recent lesions, also referred to as "immature stretch marks". They indicate the inflammation of the dermis due to skin stretching. They usually appear at the onset of stretch marks. However, if the lesions are red in colour, associated with a vertical shape, large in size and located on the abdomen, thighs, arms or breasts, they could be stretch marks related to Cushing's syndrome.

Classic stretch marks, on the other hand, are referred to as "mature stretch marks". Sometimes tending towards a pearly white, generally thin, more discreet and deep, these skin lesions resemble scars that have been present for a long time. Imprinted on the skin, they have reached the final stage of stretch mark evolution. Therefore, it can be quite difficult, if not impossible, to get rid of them.