When your skin stretches rapidly in a short period of time, it can cause tiny tears in its elastic fibers. As each tear heals, a scar develops. These scars are called stretch marks.
Stretch marks often occur during pregnancy. But that isn’t the only time you may experience them. They may also develop during growth spurts in adolescence, weight gain, or when using certain medications that affect skin elasticity.
At first, your stretch marks may feel raised and itchy. Over time, the color will fade and the scar will fall below the surface of your skin, leaving a slight depression.