If you have ever caught a glimpse of those shimmering, lightning bolt patterns on your hips or thighs and felt like your skin was telling a secret, you are in good company. Let’s get one thing straight right out of the gate: having stretch marks is about as rare and “shameful” as having a belly button. Imagine this: you are living your best life, your body is doing the incredible work of growing, shifting, and taking up space, and your skin is just trying to keep up with your evolution. It is not a flaw; it is a roadmap of where you have been and the glorious space you occupy now.

Welcome to the space where we stop looking at our skin through a lens of “correction” and start looking at it with the eye of a Creative Director. We are reframing the narrative from “how do I hide these” to “did you know how cool these actually are?” Your body is a canvas, and these lines are the brushstrokes of a life lived out loud. Whether they are silvery white or a bold shade of purple, they belong on you, and they deserve to be treated with the same luxury and care you give your favorite silk slip dress.

What Should You Know About Stretch Marks?

Let’s talk science but make it chic. Stretch marks, or striae if you want to get technical and fancy at a dinner party, happen when the middle layer of your skin (the dermis) is stretched faster than the fibers can keep up with. Think of your skin like a high-quality elastic waistband. It is designed to be flexible, but when the body expands quickly—whether through puberty, muscle gain, or simply becoming more fabulous and plus size—those internal fibers can snap.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “The severity of stretch marks is affected by several factors, including your genetics and the degree of stress on the skin.” It is literally written in your DNA. If your mom had them and your grandma had them, you are just carrying on a legacy of growth. It is also important to note that cortisol, the stress hormone, can play a role by weakening elastic fibers in the skin. So, staying chill isn’t just good for your mood; it is a literal skincare routine.

The Anatomy of Stretch Marks

When these marks first arrive, they usually show up in vibrant colors like pink, red, or even deep blue. This is because the blood vessels under the skin are showing through the tears in the dermis. Over time, they fade into those iconic silvery or white lines we all know. There is absolutely nothing “broken” about this process. It is just biology doing its thing.

The American Academy of Dermatology points out that while many products claim to vanish them, “Most of these products do not work.” This is why we focus on care and nourishment rather than a “fix.” When we understand that stretch marks are deep in the dermal layer, we realize that no cream is going to act as a magic eraser, and that is perfectly okay. We aren’t trying to erase the evidence of our existence.

3 Ways to Treat Your Stretch Marks Like Royalty

1. Hydration is Your New Best Friend

While you can’t “rub away” a stretch mark, you can absolutely make your skin feel like butter. Using rich, emollient oils like cocoa butter or shea butter keeps the surface layer of your skin supple and glowing. Think of it as polishing a diamond. You aren’t changing the stone; you are just making sure it catches the light beautifully.

2. Feed the Glow from the Inside

Your skin loves collagen, and while topical collagen is a bit of a myth, eating foods high in Vitamin C and Zinc helps your body produce its own. It is about giving your dermis the tools it needs to stay strong and resilient. Plus, drinking your water is the ultimate plus size power move for that lit-from-within look.

3. Massage Your Skin

When you apply your lotions, don’t just slap them on. Give yourself a lymphatic massage. This increases blood flow to the area and helps with skin elasticity. It is a moment of connection with your body that says, “I see you, I love you, and you deserve to feel soft.”

The Final Word on Your Masterpiece

It is time to retire the idea that we need to be “seamless” to be beautiful. Every plus size woman who has ever felt a moment of hesitation in a swimsuit because of her stretch marks deserves to know that those lines are a sign of a body that has survived and thrived. We are moving away from fear-based marketing that tells us we are failing if our skin isn’t perfectly airbrushed. Perfection is boring; personality is everything.

You are the Creative Director of your own image, and your stretch marks are a part of your signature style. When you care for your skin with luxury oils and a “hey, did you know” attitude about your biology, you reclaim your power. Wear your lines with the confidence of someone who knows they are a work of art in progress. You aren’t just taking up space; you are expanding your empire, and your skin is simply making room for all that greatness.

What part of your body have you learned to see as a “work of art” lately? Let us know in the comments below!