Will all pregnant women get stretch marks?

Not really

The formation of stretch marks is related to many factors, and not all pregnant women will be affected.

Stretch marks are actually a common name, medically called expansion marks, which usually appear on the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, chest and other parts. They are cracks on the skin surface caused by excessive stretching and breakage of the skin's elastic fibers during pregnancy.

The chance of developing stretch marks depends on many factors, the most important of which include genetics, skin elasticity, weight gain rate and changes in hormone levels. If women in your family are prone to stretch marks during pregnancy, you may also face a similar situation, that is, the risk of onset is higher than other pregnant women. In addition, gaining weight too quickly during pregnancy and not having enough time for the skin to gradually adapt to these changes will also increase the risk of stretch marks.

At the same time, stretch marks are not exclusive to pregnant women. Unmarried women or women who have not given birth may also develop stretch marks due to rapid weight gain or hormonal changes.

Therefore, pregnancy does not necessarily mean that there will be stretch marks.

Author: Tang Jiaoqing, MD, attending physician of dermatology

Review | Feng Jun, deputy chief physician of the Dermatology Department of Sinopharm Tongmei General Hospital