A Body Positive Parents Guide to Helping Teens Understand Stretch Marks

Most parents would agree that our teens are navigating the challenges of growing up in a time far different to our own. Not only are they experiencing physical and hormonal changes that are natural in teen years, but with the rise of social media, they’re exposed to content online that can often make it much harder to deal with these changes in a healthy, positive way.

However, parents are the most important “influencers” in a teen’s life and play an important role in supporting teens to embrace the hormonal and physical changes as a normal, natural and beautiful part of growing up. This includes stretch marks, a common yet frequently misunderstood change they may experience during puberty. They often develop on the abdomen, thighs, breasts, buttocks, upper arms and back due to growth spurts or changes in body weight – but the important thing to remember is that they are a completely natural and normal part of growing up.

Society typically takes a negative view of stretch marks and many of us have grown up viewing them as little more than imperfections that need to be erased and fixed. For our teens who often grow up exposed to these views, the natural onset of stretch marks can bring about feelings of insecurity and inadequacy.

Myths and misconceptions

Breaking the cycle of harmful beauty standards and the impact on our own children, especially when it comes to stretch marks, starts with education. Many people, for instance, believe that stretch marks only occur in certain body types or during specific life events, such as pregnancy. This is far from the truth. Stretch marks can appear on anyone – regardless of age, gender, or size – due to rapid weight gain, growth spurts, hormonal changes, or even genetics.

Another common misconception is that stretch marks are a result of poor health or lifestyle choices, but this couldn’t be further from reality. They are simply a testament to the body’s natural elasticity and its response to change. Stretch marks occur when the skin stretches quickly, causing the collagen to break down, resulting in those visible lines we see on our bodies. Many people also believe that stretch marks are permanent and unchangeable. The fact is that they can fade over time. Parents can also guide their teens (both genders) on following a self-care routine that incorporates safe skincare products to help keep their skin healthy and care for their changing bodies.

Where healing meets confidence

Look out for Lamelle’s CENTAR® Gel, which can help address aggressive scarring, as well as Lamelle’s CENTAR® Lotion, which can be applied to stretch mark prone areas. CENTAR® is designed to support the skin during these changes and help prevent and improve the appearance of stretch marks. CENTAR® unique formulation contains a high dose of Centella Asiatica, which supports healthy collagen production, reduction in redness and inflammation, and increases healing in the area.

Clinical studies have shown that Centella Asiatica extract reduces inflammation, aids in tissue regeneration, facilitates cell migration and boosts collagen production. CENTAR’s star ingredient, UDCA, is an ultra-distillate of active triterpenes derived from Centella Asiatica. Unlike typical Centella Asiatica extracts, which vary in concentration, UDCA is highly purified, standardised and, due to our pioneering extraction process, dramatically more potent.

“When it comes to stretch marks in teenagers, taking a supportive and loving approach to helping them embrace bodily changes is key. Help them adopt a healthy skincare routine that teaches them to care for their skin and bodies daily and feel confident. With puberty being such a sensitive time in a young person’s life, parents can definitely help to reframe changes like stretch marks to ensure they aren’t seen as imperfections, but a beautiful part of the exciting journey of growing up and do not have to be a source of shame,” says Dr Bradley Wagemaker, Medical Director at Lamelle Pharmaceuticals.

It’s important for parents to foster an environment where open conversations about body image are encouraged, allowing teens to express their feelings without fear of judgment.

For many teens, stretch marks can be a source of insecurity, but parents can help shift the narrative.

Open conversations about body changes, celebrating diversity and nurturing self-acceptance can empower them to embrace their bodies as they are.

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Author: Julia Christison from Lamelle Research Laboratories on behalf of Lamelle Research Laboratories.