Why are stretch marks seen as a flaw?

Question

I have stretch marks on parts of my body and they are mainly from two life events: 1) When I hit puberty and my body started growing and 2) When I started doing martial arts class and lifting weights, they added stretch marks on my legs. A lot of men also have stretch marks from gaining muscles in their upper body.

Another common reason why many women have stretch marks is because of pregnancy. Which, again, is not a bad thing at all. In fact all these reasons are... Great! They are all amazing things!

The only 'bad' reason for stretch marks is excessive/rapid weight gain/loss, or frequently fluctuating weight.

So then why are stretch marks seen as a bad thing that needs to be reduced, or hidden?

BluesheepOwl · Accepted Answer

I have stretch marks on my knees and I've had them since I was 14. They just suddenly appeared and I've been self conscious of them since. One day I noticed I have stretch marks on my butt either my right or left cheek I can't remember. It's only on one side and I don't know when I got them or how long they've been there. But because I have them I feel like a guy will be disgusted by them. I also feel like wearing a bikini or any swim suit bottom will be embarrassing since it'll show. But then again you'll really have to look closely to actually see it which won't be a problem for a guy because they stare women down and check them out hardcore, especially on the beach.

VIVANT · Accepted Answer

People get them from the skin having to stretch too quickly. Growth spurts are weight gain just like gaining muscle or fat.

They always come from weight gain. There are no pure vs impure reasons. Some people get them from a little weight gain, , some done from a lot of weight gain... depends on the genetics, and how quickly your change how good your nutrition was.

No matter the reason they are considered flaws in the skin bc they are literally breaks in the fiber.

Most people are not crazy and don’t care. But some do. The skin has been affected that is why they are considered a flaw. Like scars. Most people have scars. Some think it’s hot.

Kaazsz · Accepted Answer

I’ve never heard a guy talk about stretch marks. Like it seems to be a purely woman thing, where you the woman hates the ones you have, so you assume that men also hate them.

At most, young teenage boys brainwashed by porn might think stretch marks are gross.

But once you start dicking hoes down, you’ll see like, all of them have stretch marks.

And sometimes, when you’re inside her, getting ready to cum, and you see her hips and some stretch marks on them, somehow it brings out the animal in you and your orgasm is even better. I dunno. Maybe that’s just me. But feminine beauty is not just what’s in magazines and photoshop.

dancoop · Accepted Answer

Because society has gone off the deep end and lost all standards based in rational thought. Personally, I do not mind stretch marks at all. I really like chubbier girls, and they tend to have stretch marks, so it never bothered me.

Uncertain1012 · Answer

I guess it’s because of most people’s preference. They want everything to be perfect. So, they don’t want someone with stretch marks. I don’t have a great self esteem as it is and this makes things a bit worse. It’s usually the younger people though. I suppose it has something to do with maturity. I like stretch marks on other people, but not myself.

MissKittyz · Answer

Because some people just want super flawless skin like a doll. And seeing moles, scars, stretchmarks, etc on your body removes that aspect. Yes, it makes you look real and like a human, but I guess some people just really want to look "perfect" even though that's impossible. I personally don't find them ugly. I have a tiny bit on my butt that are barely noticeable. But I find the ones that are very noticeable and extreme like on the tummy to not be very attractive.

curtsey · Answer

Probably because they're technically scars (scar tissue)? I have them on my breasts, butt, hips and lower back after I lost 10kg in 2 months and then gained it back gradually over a year, but also due to puberty. I don't think they're a bad thing personally. It's only natural that our skin stretches when our bodies change

luvstoned4him · Answer

everyone expects us to be perfect at all times.. its sickening

Éire1995 · Answer

I've never heard a guy complain about them, i think its just a woman thing, or maybe its pushed by skincare companies as a flaw to sell more products

gothgirl997 · Answer

I didn't even know they had a name. It's sad that women's looks are nitpicked so much that we have all these names

thepirate18 · Answer

On a personal opinion I think everyone has a stretch mark someday or the other and is okay with it. It's only when their in front of public they feel bad as people in whole have made it sound like a taboo.

Garlan · Answer

Cos they are a flaw. Like a spot, a bump, or a mole. Now, some people don't mind moles and some others even like them. The issue is that, for some reason, the opinion of the guys who wrinkle their nose and say "disgusting" tend to prevail over the million others that say either I don't care or "I like them". So, then women believe that we all belive they are disgusting.

LunaBei · Answer

I have stretch marks on my stomach, boobs, thighs, etc. Pregnancy completely changed my body, but I love each and every one of them.
I love when my husband traces them lightly with his finger tips too.

MajesticTwelve · Answer

Genuinely didn't know they were seen as a flaw until I read this post.

zxcded · Answer

I think stretch marks are pretty cool actually, like tiger scratches. I have stretch marks even tho I’m fit and I just think they’re cool.

cinderelli · Answer

I have some stretch marks on my butt too, it's very normal, I personally like them. They look like lightning yk

Grond21 · Answer

To me, they are not a flaw at all. I see no problem with them in the slightest

Pulimuli · Answer

I have stretch marks on my pecs and shoulders I think its seen as a flaw because the skin looks imperfect

morimeme1 · Answer

If someone is bothered by strech marks then they are just immature and have unrealistic expectations, you don't need someone like that in your life.

GuidoThePizzaMaker · Answer

I dont really care about stretch marks, only when they are extreme from severe weight gain or something. But if its related to pregnancy I couldnt care less. Thats a beautiful thing

LA_Snow · Answer

think of stretch marks as a tiger you earn them strips

gsai64 · Answer

I don't get it either. Unless I like squint really hard I can barely even see them in person. I guess there are just some people who are grossed out by them but I don't think it's a super common thing

nerms123 · Answer

90% of guys don’t care. 90% of women are worried about them. It’s probably due to photoshop.

Keyarose · Answer

I love my stretch marks. Stretch marks honestly different and pretty cool

naijagurl · Answer

I honestly don’t know. They’re barely even noticeable most of the time.

Potatocream · Answer

I've never heard of that bring a flaw except from people on here lol I've never heard any of my friends complain or worry about it and I dont think most people will lol

longfellow420 · Answer

I think stretch marks are sexy.. especially on a curvy woman. There usually right where you grab her to pull her closer so you can get deeper

Massageman · Answer

Seen as a break in the continuity of the look of the skin.  I don't seeing sharp "tan lines" either.

AcidT0y · Answer

They're an imperfection on your skin. Most people have them but that doesn't make them any less of a flaw regardless of how they came about.

Thatsamazing · Answer

... Because they're literally mars/flaws in the skin. I don't know what you mean. A flaw is a flaw.
"Which, again, is not a bad thing at all" uhhh... there are about five billion too many people on the planet, so... that's not accurate.

TallAnon · Answer

I've never heard anyone complain about stretch marks myself. I'm 6'7 (200cm), so I grew up with them myself and they're still quite visible. I've never cared too much, on me or others.

Pink2000 · Answer

I thought they were a flaw until I met someone who finds them sexy and actually embraces them.

optimistgirl · Answer

I actually like my stretch marks... I see them as beautiful

Ámayas_20 · Answer

I'll be honest every guy I've dated hasn't cared about my stretch marks at all and mine are bad.

berserk945 · Answer

It depends for me. If I know its from her improving herself or from other natural reasons then it doesn't bother me. But if I think is because she is just putting on weight and doesn't need it then it definitely isn't appealing.

GreenGold1992 · Answer

I don't think they're a flaw, it happens to the best of us. I think they can look appealing, especially on older women.

Kezzz · Answer

I have absolutely no reason to hate stretch marks. I don't see the problem here. Why are they a flaw? Every second person has em

Cruizer · Answer

I have them on my biceps. I don't mind them. I don't think that I've ever cared about them on the girls I've been with either.

Justbeyouandbehappy_ · Answer

I think it’s because social media portrays it to be that way

Daniel3035 · Answer

Everyone has stretchmarks. Literally somewhere theyre part of growing and pregnanacy.

TeacherJay · Answer

I love to trace them with my fingers or tongue, they are highly sexy.

ItsMya · Answer

I heard females get stretch marks by pregnancy but I never had kids and I have stretch marks and I'm insecure about it that I use cream so it would fade away.

bamesjond0069 · Answer

Ask women. All women have them. I dont care at all its normal. If a girl didn't have them id freak out. Even rail thin girls have them.

QuietRunner · Answer

the not bad, more like tiger stripes on a body People say bad because they could be from being too fat or growing to fast or looking like a flaw

m15teen · Answer

Eh from the way I'm sitting like my back stretches I have bad stretch mark on my lower back but I don't thinks anything is wrong with stretch marks most people are assholes

weaverman · Answer

I think girls are more aware of stretch marks on their body than boys, it's part of growing up don't worry

AilsaGourly · Answer

Do you get stretch marks if you have plastic surgery/implants

arv291 · Answer

Stretch marks aren't supposed to be flaw, I see them as a coolest thing, it's something one should be proud off.

Yessir12 · Answer

Because it looks bad. I got rid of mine using lotions and creams.

Joshuaaa · Answer

Because people are shallow. Stretch marks just show you have lived a little.

Gedaria · Answer

Its where the fat cells expand under the skin , making a stretch mark. Reduce the size of the ass it will reduce the stretch marks...

LtJackass · Answer

Mine are perfectly horizontally stacked up my entire back.

SUMAIREBRAHIM · Answer

Actually you get stretch marks for losing weight quickly

Victor1212 · Answer

Mostly girls have stretch marks after pregnancy but i never heard that it comes due to weight lifting, some cases it may be.

Historylover18 · Answer

Because society thinks appearance is the best thing since sliced bread

morrowlow · Answer

because they're yucky. and i myself have some on my lower back from when i hit puberty

Secret6620 · Answer

Society says so lol 🌸💜🌸

Nik1hil · Answer

No i just saw.. RAWRR.. Come here my tigress

Arrivals_209 · Answer

We all get some form. or another of stretchmmarks on our skin knw way or another

Babygirl_S · Answer

Because they make you perfectly imperfect.

johnieohm · Answer

to some they are not a flaw but more of ideal

nagbuk41 · Answer

I don't see them as a flaw at all

Aiko_E_Lara · Answer

Since when? That doesn't apply to every community

Why are stretch marks seen as a flaw?

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