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In addition to muscles and bone structure defining outward appearances, so do veins and the skin itself. Stretch marks are striae—furrows, stripes, or streaks in a parallel arrangement— caused when the skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching. When skin is overstretched, the normal production of collagen, the protein that makes up the connective tissue of skin, is disrupted and results in scarring. But stretching alone is not the cause. It is frequently seen in pregnant women, children who experience rapid growth spurts, obese people, and body builders.
These stretch marks appear first as reddish or purplish lines that may appear indented and feel different than the surrounding skin. They often feel "empty" and soft to the touch.[13] They generally lighten and fade to a silvery-white hue, almost disappearing over time.[14] Stretch marks most commonly appear on the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, underarms, both inner and outer thighs, hips, and buttocks.[15]