Stretch marks (garis regangan, or striae) are narrow lines or streaks on the skin that appear when the skin is stretched quickly, most often in pregnancy, puberty or rapid weight gain. They are very common, affecting around 8 out of 10 pregnant women, and they are harmless. New marks are often pink, red, purple or brown and usually fade over time into paler lines, but they rarely disappear completely. There is very little evidence that creams, oils or lotions prevent or remove them. Some treatments from a doctor, such as retinoid creams, hyaluronic acid and laser treatment, may make them look better, but retinoid creams must not be used in pregnancy. This guide explains what causes stretch marks, pregnancy, what the evidence says about creams, treatment options and when to see a doctor.
Apa itu stretch mark?
Stretch marks are very common. They are harmless and often get less visible over time (NHS). They happen when the middle layer of the skin (the dermis) becomes stretched and broken in places (NHS). The medical name is striae (MedlinePlus).
Stretch marks do not cause medical problems (NHS). But many women find them upsetting: researchers note that stretch marks in pregnancy are a source of significant anxiety for women and can affect quality of life (Brennan 2012). If they bother you, it is reasonable to talk to a doctor about the options, and it is equally fine to leave them alone.
Rupa stretch mark: merah, ungu, coklat atau putih
Stretch marks look like lines or streaks across the skin. They can be pink, red, brown, black, silver or purple. They usually start off darker and fade over time (NHS). Their colour depends on your skin colour (NHS).
New marks may look like parallel streaks of red, thin, glossy skin. Over time they become whitish and scar-like, may be slightly sunken, and feel different from normal skin (MedlinePlus).
They are most common on the tummy, breasts, chest, upper arms, legs, bottom, hips or back (NHS). In pregnancy, they usually appear on the tummy, and sometimes on the upper thighs and breasts, as the bump grows (NHS). The first sign you notice might be itchiness where the skin is becoming thinner (NHS). For itchy skin, see our guide to gatal kulit.
Punca stretch mark dan siapa lebih berisiko
Stretch marks are often caused by sudden growth or weight gain. You may be more likely to get them if you (NHS):
- are pregnant;
- are going through puberty;
- lose or gain weight quickly;
- are female;
- are overweight;
- use some kinds of steroid creams or tablets;
- have a family member with stretch marks.
Whether you get stretch marks also depends on your skin type, as some people’s skin is more elastic (NHS). Overuse of cortisone (steroid) skin creams is one cause, and so are some conditions that affect collagen in the skin, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (MedlinePlus). Rarely, stretch marks can be caused by Cushing’s syndrome (NHS).
If you use a steroid cream, use it only as your doctor or pharmacist has advised, and tell them if you notice new stretch marks.
Stretch mark semasa mengandung
Stretch marks are common in pregnancy, affecting around 8 out of 10 pregnant women (NHS). A Cochrane review gives a range of 50% to 90% of women (Brennan 2012). In a study of 213 first-time mothers in China, 58.9% had stretch marks (Liu 2018).
Hormonal changes in pregnancy can affect your skin and make you more likely to get stretch marks (NHS). When they appear differs from woman to woman (NHS).
Siapa lebih mudah dapat stretch mark semasa hamil?
Studies have linked stretch marks in pregnancy to:
- being a younger mother (Liu 2018; Farahnik 2017);
- a family history of stretch marks, including your mother (Liu 2018; Farahnik 2017);
- more weight gain in pregnancy and a larger bump (Liu 2018);
- higher weight before pregnancy and a heavier baby (Farahnik 2017).
You are more likely to get stretch marks if your weight gain is more than average in pregnancy. Most women gain about 10 to 12.5 kg in pregnancy, although this varies a great deal (NHS). It is important not to try to lose weight in pregnancy by eating less, as you need a healthy diet (NHS). If you are worried about your weight, talk to your doctor or midwife (NHS). For blood sugar checks in pregnancy, see our guide to kencing manis semasa mengandung.
Krim dan minyak: boleh cegah stretch mark?
Many women rub oils, creams or lotions on their bump hoping to prevent stretch marks. Here is what the research shows:
| Evidence | What it found |
|---|---|
| NHS | Many creams and lotions claim to prevent, reduce or remove stretch marks, but there is very little evidence that these work. There is limited evidence about whether oils or creams prevent stretch marks in pregnancy |
| Cochrane review of 6 trials, 800 pregnant women (Brennan 2012) | No high-quality evidence to support any topical preparation for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy |
| Trial of 175 first-time mothers in Lebanon (Osman 2008) | Stretch marks developed in 45.1% with a cocoa butter lotion and 48.8% with a placebo lotion: no difference |
| Trial of 300 pregnant women in Jamaica (Buchanan 2010) | Stretch marks developed in 44% with cocoa butter cream and 55% with placebo cream, a difference that was not significant |
| Review of prevention and treatment (Al-Himdani 2014) | Topical agents appear to lack effectiveness in preventing stretch marks |
Some small studies have looked at other ingredients, but reviews have not found high-quality evidence that any cream or oil prevents stretch marks (Brennan 2012). Be cautious of products that promise to prevent or remove stretch marks. If your skin feels dry or itchy, see our guide to kulit kering.
Cara kurangkan risiko stretch mark
It is not always possible to prevent stretch marks. The best way to reduce your chance of getting them is by maintaining a healthy weight (NHS). Avoiding rapid weight gain helps reduce stretch marks caused by obesity (MedlinePlus).
- Before pregnancy: aim for a healthy weight, and avoid losing or gaining weight very quickly (NHS).
- During pregnancy: eat a healthy diet and do not diet to lose weight (NHS). Ask your doctor or midwife how much weight gain is right for you.
- Steroid creams: use them only as prescribed (NHS; MedlinePlus).
Rawatan stretch mark
Stretch marks usually fade over time but may not disappear completely. Some treatments may help make them look better, but they will not get rid of them (NHS):
| Treatment | What to know |
|---|---|
| Retinoid (tretinoin) cream | May help if used on new stretch marks (NHS). In studies, tretinoin 0.05% or stronger improved pregnancy stretch marks by up to 47% (Farahnik 2017). Do not use it if you are pregnant, as it may harm your baby (NHS). It is a prescription medicine, so ask a doctor, and tell them if you are breastfeeding |
| Hyaluronic acid | May help if used on new stretch marks (NHS) |
| Laser or light treatment | Non-ablative fractional lasers have shown 50% to 75% improvement in treated stretch marks (Farahnik 2017). A review of 18 trials found that radiofrequency, ablative lasers, non-ablative lasers and intense pulsed light all reduced the width of stretch marks, with none clearly better than the others (Wu 2024) |
| Microdermabrasion | Removes a thin layer of skin (NHS) |
These are cosmetic treatments that the NHS does not provide (NHS), so expect to pay for them. If you are thinking about laser or other procedures, see a dermatologist (pakar kulit) or a registered doctor, and ask what results are realistic for your skin and what the side effects are. Raised, thick scars are a different problem; see our guide to keloid.
Stretch mark selepas bersalin
After your baby is born, stretch marks may gradually fade into paler scars and become less noticeable. They probably will not go away completely (NHS). Marks often fade once the cause of the skin stretching has gone (MedlinePlus).
Give your body time after birth. Retinoid creams and laser treatments are options to discuss with a doctor once you are no longer pregnant, and you should mention if you are breastfeeding. For recovery after birth, see our guide to berpantang. If you are also worried about dimpled skin on your thighs or hips, that is cellulite, which is different; see our guide to selulit.
Mitos tentang stretch mark
| Mitos | Fakta |
|---|---|
| “Sapu minyak setiap hari, confirm tak dapat stretch mark.” | No cream, oil or lotion has high-quality evidence for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy (Brennan 2012) |
| “Ada krim yang boleh hilangkan stretch mark sepenuhnya.” | There is very little evidence that creams work, and treatments only make stretch marks look better (NHS) |
| “Stretch mark tanda badan tak sihat.” | Stretch marks are harmless and do not cause medical problems (NHS) |
| “Hanya orang gemuk dapat stretch mark.” | They also happen in pregnancy, puberty and quick weight changes, and depend on skin type and family history (NHS) |
| “Kurangkan makan masa hamil supaya tak dapat stretch mark.” | Do not try to lose weight in pregnancy by eating less; you need a healthy diet (NHS) |
| “Krim retinoid selamat dipakai masa hamil.” | Do not use retinoid creams if you are pregnant, as they may harm your baby (NHS) |
Bila perlu jumpa doktor
Stretch marks from pregnancy, puberty or weight change do not need a doctor unless you would like advice on treatment. See a doctor if:
- stretch marks appear without a clear cause, such as pregnancy or rapid weight gain (MedlinePlus);
- you have large stretch marks together with more fat on your chest and tummy but slim arms and legs, a build-up of fat on the back of your neck and shoulders, or a red, puffy, rounded face, which could be signs of Cushing’s syndrome (NHS);
- you have been using steroid creams or tablets and notice new stretch marks (NHS);
- you are pregnant and worried about your weight gain (NHS).
Cushing’s syndrome can also cause skin that bruises easily, muscle weakness, and stretch marks on the tummy, hips, breasts and under the arms (NHS).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Apa itu stretch mark (what are stretch marks)?
Stretch marks are narrow lines or streaks on the skin. They are very common and harmless, and they often become less visible over time (NHS). They happen when the middle layer of skin (the dermis) is stretched and broken in places (NHS), often because of sudden growth or weight gain, such as in pregnancy or puberty (NHS). The medical name is striae (MedlinePlus), and stretch marks that develop in pregnancy are called striae gravidarum (Brennan 2012).
Boleh ke stretch mark hilang sepenuhnya (can stretch marks go away completely)?
Usually not completely. Stretch marks usually fade over time but may not disappear completely (NHS). After pregnancy, they may gradually fade into paler marks and become less noticeable (NHS). Some treatments, such as retinoid creams, hyaluronic acid, laser or light treatments and microdermabrasion, may make them look better, but they will not get rid of them (NHS).
Krim apa boleh hilangkan stretch mark (which cream can remove stretch marks)?
No cream has been shown to remove stretch marks. Many creams and lotions claim to prevent, reduce or remove them, but there is very little evidence that these work (NHS). A prescription retinoid cream (tretinoin) or hyaluronic acid may help if used on new stretch marks, but you should not use retinoid creams if you are pregnant, as they may harm your baby (NHS). Ask a doctor before starting any prescription cream.
Boleh elak stretch mark semasa mengandung (can I prevent stretch marks in pregnancy)?
It is not always possible. A Cochrane review of 6 trials with 800 women found no high-quality evidence that any cream, oil or lotion prevents stretch marks in pregnancy (Brennan 2012), and two trials found that cocoa butter did not prevent them (Osman 2008; Buchanan 2010). You are more likely to get them if your weight gain in pregnancy is more than average, but you should not try to lose weight in pregnancy by eating less (NHS). Talk to your doctor or midwife if you are worried about your weight.
Kenapa stretch mark warna merah, ungu atau putih (why are stretch marks red, purple or white)?
New stretch marks are often pink, red, purple, brown or darker, depending on your skin colour, and they usually start off darker and fade over time (NHS). Over time, they become whitish and scar-like, may be slightly sunken, and feel different from normal skin (MedlinePlus). Retinoid creams or hyaluronic acid may help if used on new stretch marks (NHS).
Kenapa remaja perempuan dapat stretch mark (why do teenage girls get stretch marks)?
Stretch marks are common in puberty because of the rapid growth at that time (MedlinePlus). Being female, a family history of stretch marks, and losing or gaining weight quickly also make them more likely (NHS). They are harmless (NHS). See a doctor if stretch marks appear without a clear cause such as growth, pregnancy or weight gain (MedlinePlus).
Bila stretch mark tanda penyakit (when are stretch marks a sign of illness)?
Rarely, stretch marks can be caused by Cushing’s syndrome, a condition caused by too much of the hormone cortisol (NHS; MedlinePlus). See a doctor if you have large stretch marks together with more fat on your chest and tummy but slim arms and legs, a build-up of fat on the back of your neck and shoulders, or a red, puffy, rounded face (NHS). Using some kinds of steroid creams or tablets can also make stretch marks more likely (NHS).
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice from a doctor. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any prescription cream, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
References
- Stretch marks — NHS
- Stretch marks in pregnancy — NHS
- Cushing’s syndrome — NHS
- Stretch marks — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Brennan M, Young G, Devane D. Topical preparations for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;11:CD000066.
- Osman H, et al. Cocoa butter lotion for prevention of striae gravidarum: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial. BJOG. 2008;115(9):1138-1142.
- Buchanan K, Fletcher HM, Reid M. Prevention of striae gravidarum with cocoa butter cream. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2010;108(1):65-68.
- Liu L, et al. Risk factors of striae gravidarum in Chinese primiparous women. PLoS One. 2018;13(6):e0198720.
- Farahnik B, et al. Striae gravidarum: risk factors, prevention, and management. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2017;3(2):77-85.
- Al-Himdani S, et al. Striae distensae: a comprehensive review and evidence-based evaluation of prophylaxis and treatment. Br J Dermatol. 2014;170(3):527-547.
- Wu TJ, et al. Comparing energy-based devices for striae improvement: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Dermatol Surg. 2024;50(10):931-938.
