Why do some get stretch marks?...

Why, oh why...

To a great extent the reason why people get stretch marks is genetic. If family members have stretch marks then the chances are you might be susceptible too. It depends how elastic your skin is, and how quickly you grow or put on or lose weight. Some people seem to have weaker collagen than others.

In men and women growth spurts occur during puberty and many people get stretch marks at this time. For women pregnancy stretch marks are very common.

Bodybuilders, especially men, often get stretch marks too, so it is not just putting on fatty pounds that can trigger them.

How healthy you are generally is important too; well hydrated and healthy skin is stretchier than dry or damaged skin in someone with poor nutrition.

Research shows that darker skins seem less likely to get stretch marks than paler skins.

People who take steroid tablets use skin creams which contain a steroid (eg hydrocortisone) for an extended period of time are also susceptible to stretch marks.