Striae atrophocae

Striae atrophicae is a medical term that refers to the marks that result from the rapid stretching of skin. Pulling on the skin associated with rapid growth, pregnancy and muscle building overcomes the skins elasticity, leaving scars in the skin that often begin as bright pink or purple often parallel marks, but over time may diminish. However, skin stretching alone is not the cause of striae. Often glucocorticoid hormones play a role in the development of striae by preventing fibroblast cells (the most common cells in connective tissue), from producing collagen and elastin, two molecules necessary to keep growing skin tight and supple. This lack of supportive tissue leads to tearing of the dermis and epidermis, creating the characteristic ruts of striae.

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