“Why do I have purple stretch marks, and what can I do to make them less noticeable?”

Ah, stretch marks… Those stretched, pink lines that cover the favorite parts of your body. They can be white, they can be purple, and it’s absolutely normal to have them, or want to minimize them.

In the medical world, stretch marks are called Striae distensae. These cosmetic lesions are a remarkably common concern for many women. So yes, you’re not alone.

Now, the common causes of purple stretch marks include pregnancy, puberty, and drastic weight changes that happen too quickly (so the skin isn’t capable to flex or shrink as fast as your whole body). It’s not dangerous to get purple stretch marks on your body, but it can be an aesthetical and psychological problem. Since it’s easier to fade purple stretch marks while they’re fresh, it’s recommended to start working on them as early as possible.

In this article, we’re diving into the world of purple stretch marks. We’ll take a quick look at why those purple lines appear on your body. I will share the most effective natural remedies that worked for me. We’ll scour through alternative options that could tackle even the most resistant purple stretch marks. And we’ll touch on the best supplements to speed things up too. So, if your stretch marks upset you, please know that there are ways to make things better – and we’re spilling all the secrets!

 

Why Do I Have Purple Stretch Marks?

 

Anyone can develop purple stretch marks, no matter if they are male or female. There are several different reasons that can cause stretch marks:

• Rapid weight gain;
• Rapid weight loss;
• Pregnancy;
• Rapid growth (growth spurt) in teenage years;
• Rapid muscle growth;
• Prolonged use of corticosteroids;
• Physical skin pulling or tugging actions.

On top of that, things like hormone issues, medical conditions like Cushing’s syndrome, Marfan syndrome, or having too much cortisol in your body can make those stretch marks more likely to appear.

 

What Are The Main Places Where Stretch Marks Appear?

 

Stretch marks can appear almost anywhere on your body, but they most often appear on:

• Our abdomen;
• Our buttocks;
• Our legs (especially – the thighs);
• Our sides;
• Our upper arms;
• Our breast;
• Our hips;
• Our back (especially the lower back).

 

Why Are My Stretch Marks Purple?

 

The reason why you see purple stretch marks in particular, is because they are new. In the early stages, a stretch mark will resemble a purple line on your skin that looks different than the rest of your skin. The purple hue is created by tiny blood vessels that are showing through. Thankfully, in the majority of cases, almost all purple stretch marks fade and develop a lighter tone that is less visible, over time.

In my opinion, purple stretch marks can also be beautiful! Yes, they might look unpleasant,  but nevertheless, they show that something significant happened in your life. It might be becoming a woman, giving birth, losing unnecessary weight... And even that you’ve gained weight, whether due to stress or just enjoying food a lot – it’s still a part of your life story. Purple stretch marks are nothing to be ashamed of.

 

How Long Does It Take For Purple Stretch Marks To Fade?

 

Dealing with purple stretch marks can be a long process that involves trying various cosmetic products and procedures.

It usually takes 6-12 months for purple stretch marks to become less noticeable. But, even though it’s a long process, you can fade purple stretch marks faster.

Quick tip – if those purple stretch marks are bothering you big time, you can even use makeup to conceal them while they’re fresh and prominent. A full-coverage concealer does a great job to make purple stretch marks less noticeable.

 

Best Natural Remedies For Purple Stretch Marks

 

If you feel like there are too many stretchy marks on your body, there are some ways to help them fade faster and prevent the formation of new purple stretch marks. As I faced my own purple stretch marks (caused by depression weight gain), my main concern was how can I speed up the process of fading, and turning purple stretch marks into white, skin-colored stretch marks.

I found 3 effective things that actually work when it comes to diminishing the appearance of purple stretch marks (and other types of stretch marks too, including stretch marks on your back or even stretch marks on your butt – yes, those cute lines on your bum!). They’re cheap and useful, so if you’re determined to make those stretch marks less visible (or even fade away completely, if you’re super lucky), I recommend trying these first.

 

1. Drink The Right Amount Of Water For Your Body

 

As cliche as it sounds, hydration is key! Staying properly hydrated is the first and most important step when dealing with purple stretch marks. Water is one of the most efficient ways to reduce purple stretch marks because the hydrated skin is softer, elastic, and more toned. Drinking plenty of water will also prevent purple stretch marks from developing in other areas of your body.

I used to be lazy about my water intake and go with a glass or two of water per day, which is obviously not enough. The thing that helped me to create a habit of drinking more water was to add a little bit of juice (about 50-100 ml) to my 1-liter water bottle. This way, water actually has a taste and it’s easier for me to keep up my water consumption, without adding a ton of calories (I use plum juice which has only 48 calories per 100 ml).

Another tip is to invest in a pretty water bottle that can keep you motivated to drink more. You can find a good bottle on Amazon for a reasonable price and the good thing is that such a bottle will last you for years.

After increasing water consumption, I have noticed that the skin all over my body felt healthier and more hydrated. My purple stretch marks began to fade more quickly too.

 

2. Aloe Vera Can Make Purple Stretch Marks Lighter

 

One of the most effective home remedies for purple stretch marks is using a pomade made out of 60 milliliters of Aloe Vera gel mixed with ten vitamin E capsules and five vitamin A capsules. Applying this mixture daily leads to a visible reduction in the appearance of purple stretch marks.

Why? Because Aloe Vera is abundant in skin-healing properties (that’s why it’s commonly used in sunburn products). It is an ally when it comes to boosting skin health and stimulating the natural damage repair process in your skin. When combined with powerful antioxidants and oils, it becomes a real enemy to purple stretch marks anywhere on the body!

Choose an organic Aloe Vera gel if possible and, if you can’t get vitamin A + E in capsule form, you can always use natural oils like coconut oil, macadamia oil, or rosehip seed oil which are high in these vitamins as well.

 

3. Use Sugar Scrubs To Gently Exfoliate And Lighten Purple Stretch Marks

 

Sugar has the power to eliminate dead skin cells, lighten, and rejuvenate skin. It was probably the best home remedy for purple stretch marks that I have ever tried. All you have to do is to mix one tablespoon of sugar with almond oil and add a little bit of lemon juice.

Gently apply this mixture on your stretch marks (just do not tug your skin!) and allow it to work for around 10 minutes. After washing it off, apply a deeply hydrating product all over your body (the aloe vera gel + vitamins mixture works great).

You can also try other homemade remedies for purple stretch marks, such as:

• Lightening potato juice masks;
• Lightening and rejuvenating papaya masks;
• Using cocoa butter as a body lotion;
• Adding coconut oil or olive oil to your shower gel for extra nourishment;
• And similar.

The trick is to stick to the plan and care for your purple stretch marks every day, for at least a month. After that period, you will observe that those homemade remedies start to work and your purple stretch marks will begin to fade.

 

Best Store-Bought Products For Purple Stretch Marks

 

When trying various things to reduce purple stretch marks, it’s important to remember that everybody has a different body – and different skin too. If natural remedies don’t work for you, don’t hesitate to try store-bought products as well. You can even opt for a pregnancy anti-stretch marks oil, even if you aren’t pregnant. These are specifically formulated to help keep the skin very elastic and fade visible scars (yes, stretch marks, in a way, are also scars).

Bio-Oil Skincare Oil for Scars and Stretch Marks

Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy

 

Pure Life Science Anti Stretch Marks Massage Oil

 

Supplements That Help To Fade Purple Stretch Marks

 

Natural remedies, creams, lotions, and lasers can help improve your stretch marks from the outside, but there are also helpful ways to speed up skin repair from within. The main, of course, is a healthy and balanced diet that is full of vitamins and microelements. It’s the main source of nutrition for your dermal tissues, and it can also help you to keep a healthy weight. Once established, a healthy diet can be supplemented further to boost elasticity and speed up healing processes.

 

1. Collagen

 

Collagen is like cement for your skin because all connective tissues are filled with it. When there’s a tear in your dermis, it’s the collagen that comes to heal it first, with the help of elastin. So, it makes sense to consume collagen for extra support from within. Despite helping your purple stretch marks to fade, collagen can also improve your overall skin condition, improve your hair health and even help your joints to stay healthy.

 

2. Vitamin C

 

Not only is vitamin C important for collagen production, but it’s also a powerful antioxidant that helps to speed up healing. Consuming vitamin c, in a form of supplements or simply eating more citrus fruits can help your dermal tissues and elastic fibers to grow faster.

 

Aesthetic And Dermatology Procedures For Purple Stretch Marks

 

Topical products, supplements, and a healthy diet can significantly improve the appearance of stretch marks and make them look white, or silver. But if you want to get rid of them completely, don’t worry – you still have options.

Your dermatologist or aesthetician can help your purple stretch marks heal more quickly, and even completely with targeted procedures. For instance, laser treatments are considered extremely effective for stretch mark removal. Our team has recently shared a laser therapy for stretch marks report – and it seems like it’s really promising for anyone who can’t befriend their stretch marks, no matter what. And why not? Pulsed laser light therapy can stimulate both elastin and collagen production in your skin, leading to significantly faster skin repair rates. It’s worth considering if your stretch marks aren’t responding to gentler alternatives.

Another helpful option is microdermabrasion – a procedure that exfoliates the outer layers of your skin, allowing new, healthier, and possibly – more elastic skin to grow. This helps to both fade and prevent new purple stretch marks too.

If you can’t have these procedures (they’re minimally invasive, but have a few precautions), there are a few less invasive, popular treatments for purple stretch marks:

• Chemical peels;
• Microneedling;
• Retinol or retinoid cream treatments;
• Hyaluronic acid treatments;
• Oil massage;
• AHA peeling treatments;
• Radiofrequency therapies.

Your beautician will help you to choose what’s right for your particular situation.

 

Dealing With Purple Stretch Marks: Final Thoughts

 

At last – don’t forget to love your body the way it is. There’s always room for improvement, but even purple stretch marks, white stretch marks, moles, scars, and pigmentation can be beautiful if you learn to embrace them. Even Kylie Jenner loves to show off a big scar on her thigh – and nothing is prettier than being confident in your own skin.

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This article was proofread by Grammarly