Stretch marks (striae)

Line-shaped marks formed when the collagen and elastin fibres in the middle layer of the skin tear. They appear when the skin is stretched or shrinks over a short time; they are most common on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, thighs, waist and back. New stretch marks are red (striae rubrae), and older ones are white (striae albae).

Articles that mention this term

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