Typical regions

The parts of the body that are particularly affected by stretch marks are those that are subject to a lot of stress and can also store fat quickly – these include the abdomen, buttocks and breasts. However, stretch marks are no reason for shame. They are quite natural and can be found on almost every body.

Stretch marks occur particularly in areas of the body that are subject to heavy strain. Stretch marks can form on the buttocks as a result of weight gain or rapid growth. On the buttocks, however, striae obesitatis, i.e. a development due to overweight, is predominant.

Stretch marks usually occur in the lower part of the bottom at the transition to the thighs and in the upper part at the transition to the hips. In these areas the strain on the connective tissue is also the greatest. The additional fatty tissue pulls on the connective tissue and the skin.

While the skin can bear the stretch well, the connective tissue cannot keep up. Often the affected persons do not notice the stretch marks at first, because they are in an area that is not easily visible. Young women often suffer from stretch marks in addition to the weight gain.

Some people suffer so much that they develop depression. In this case, the support of a psychologist should be sought. Stretch marks remain for life, but in the long run they become paler and less noticeable.

Weight reduction is necessary to avoid further stretch marks. Learn more about this under: Stretch marks on the buttocksThe abdomen is one of the body regions most frequently affected by stretch marks in both men and women. In men, these are striae obesitatis, i.e. connective tissue damage due to overweight.

These can only be prevented by weight reduction. Almost all women have striae gravidarum after pregnancy. During pregnancy the skin and also the connective tissue stretches very much within a short time.

However, since this stretching is known beforehand, women can at least partially prevent this development. Massages with different oils and ointments and also so-called plucking massages can strengthen the connective tissue. A strong weight gain during pregnancy should be avoided, as this is another risk factor for stretch marks.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet can strengthen the connective tissue so that fewer stretch marks appear during pregnancy. Men and women can also develop stretch marks on the breast. Just as with the stomach, they develop differently.

Women with large breasts often already have stretch marks above the breast under normal conditions. As a preventive measure, the affected women can wear well-fitted sports bras, especially during sport, and thus stabilise the breasts. During pregnancy, even women with smaller breasts get stretch marks in the breast area, as the size of the breast increases rapidly and the connective tissue cannot keep up.

In addition, there is also a hormone-related weakness of the connective tissue during pregnancy. Here too, stabilising bras can have a preventive effect. In men, stretch marks on the breasts are usually caused by a strong increase in weight and the associated growth in breast size.

Bodybuilding can also lead to stretch marks in the breast area, as the breast and arm muscles increase in size. Sportsmen and women who take muscle-building medication are particularly at risk, as here the increase in size occurs very quickly. Preventive measures here can also be oils.