{"id":436224,"date":"2026-03-09T18:24:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T17:24:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/?p=436224"},"modified":"2026-03-09T14:41:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T13:41:40","slug":"vergetures-top-choses-surprenantes-beaucoup-ignorent-encore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/stretch-marks-top-surprising-things-many-people-still-dont-know-436224","title":{"rendered":"Stretch marks: 3 surprising things that many people still don&#39;t know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Stretch marks are often talked about as a &quot;problem to hide.&quot; Yet, these marks tell a story: that of a body that evolves, adapts, and lives life to the fullest. They appear during intense periods such as growth spurts, pregnancy, or sports. And above all, they are much more common than we imagine. According to a <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/22151847\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">study published in Dermatologic Surgery<\/a> , approximately 90% of women and between 10 and 15% of men have stretch marks. In other words, they are simply a part of life.<\/p>\n<h2> 1. Stretch marks have nothing to do with the value of your figure<\/h2>\n<p> A common misconception persists: that only curvy people get stretch marks. The reality is quite different. Research shows that approximately 40% of stretch marks appear in thin people. These marks are not related to weight, but to bodily changes. They are often linked to hormonal fluctuations: puberty, pregnancy, metabolic changes, or even periods of stress. When the skin stretches rapidly, the deep fibers of the dermis change, and stretch marks can appear.<\/p>\n<p>In this sense, they primarily reflect a body that has grown, changed, gained strength, or gone through significant stages. Rather than &quot;flaws,&quot; they can be seen as natural signatures of your skin&#39;s journey.<\/p>\n<h2> 2. Red stretch marks indicate that your skin is actively working<\/h2>\n<p> When stretch marks first appear, they are often red, pink, or slightly purplish. They may sometimes itch or appear slightly raised. This phenomenon may seem surprising, but it actually corresponds to an active phase of skin repair. At this time, the dermis reorganizes itself and stimulates local blood circulation, a process called neoangiogenesis. Your skin mobilizes its resources to rebuild itself and regain its balance.<\/p>\n<p>This is also the time when skincare, massages, and moisturizing creams can be most effective, as the skin is particularly receptive. Over time, these stretch marks generally fade to a lighter or silvery hue. These lines then become more subtle, like delicate traces of your body&#39;s journey.<\/p>\n<h2> 3. Men also get stretch marks (and that&#39;s perfectly normal)<\/h2>\n<p> Stretch marks are often associated with women&#39;s bodies, but men are far from immune. Studies estimate that between 10 and 15% of men also develop them. They frequently appear on the sides, lower back, or shoulders, particularly during periods of rapid growth or muscle gain. Athletes, for example, can develop them when their bodies undergo rapid changes.<\/p>\n<p>While the subject sometimes remains discreet, it&#39;s mainly because the collective imagination still values perfectly smooth bodies. Yet, these marks also tell a story of transformation, physical progress, and strength.<\/p>\n<h2> Why your stretch marks are part of your uniqueness<\/h2>\n<p> Every skin type has its own sensitivity. Genetics, skin thickness, and certain hormones like cortisol can all contribute to the development of stretch marks. This explains why some people have more than others. One thing is certain: they don&#39;t define your beauty or your worth. They simply reflect a living body, capable of adapting and navigating the major stages of life.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, these lines on the skin remind us of a simple reality: your body evolves, changes, and builds itself throughout your life. And it is precisely this humanity that makes it unique.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Stretch marks are often talked about as a &quot;problem to hide.&quot; Yet, these marks tell a story: that...","protected":false},"author":8264,"featured_media":436371,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_msn":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6140],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-436224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bodypositive"],"image":{"medium":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/vergetures-top-choses-surprenantes-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/vergetures-top-choses-surprenantes-500x281.jpg",500,281,true]},"custom":{"td_video":"","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/vergetures-top-choses-surprenantes.jpg","author":{"name":"Ana\u00eblle Gayon","avatar":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Agayon-96x96.jpg"},"categories":[{"term_id":6140,"name":"Body positive","slug":"bodypositive","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":6312,"taxonomy":"category","description":"<p>The Body positive section of The Body Optimist celebrates every body: plus-size or slim, young or older, disabled, marked by stretch marks, scars or illness. Portraits, personal stories and explainers question beauty standards to help you feel more at peace with your appearance, with no pressure to lose weight or to love yourself no matter what.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Body positive section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Beauty standards<\/strong>: stretch marks, cellulite, hip dips, body hair and wrinkles, demystified, as in our story on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/hip-dips-heres-why-hollow-hips-are-an-asset-not-a-flaw-428176\">hip dips, a natural feature rather than a flaw<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Portraits<\/strong>: plus-size models, athletes, women over sixty and disabled people who are changing who gets seen.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bodies and society<\/strong>: fashion that doesn\u2019t cater to every size, the constant scrutiny of women\u2019s bellies, echoing our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\">Fatphobia<\/a> section.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Self-acceptance<\/strong>: quotes, exercises and stories to make peace with your reflection, alongside our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/confiance-en-soi\">Self-confidence<\/a> section.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What is body positivity and where does it come from?<\/h2>\n<p>Body positivity is a movement built on the idea that every body deserves respect and representation, regardless of size, skin color, age, gender or disability. Its roots lie in the fat acceptance movement, which emerged in the United States in the late 1960s to fight weight discrimination. The term later took off on social media, at the risk of being co-opted by brands and refocused on bodies close to the norm. Going back to its activist origins is a reminder that it\u2019s not only about \u201cloving yourself\u201d but also about fighting fatphobia.<\/p>\n<h2>Body positivity vs. body neutrality: what\u2019s the difference?<\/h2>\n<p>Body neutrality takes appearance out of the spotlight: instead of striving to love your body, you respect it for what it lets you do, such as walking, dancing or resting. It suits people for whom the pressure to \u201clove yourself\u201d adds stress, or whose relationship with their body has been shaped by illness or an eating disorder. The two approaches aren\u2019t opposites. On tough days, a few habits help: unfollow accounts that make you feel guilty, wear clothes that fit the body you have today, and thank your body for something it did rather than judging how it looks. Here\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/why-body-neutrality-is-increasingly-appealing-to-women-446685\">why body neutrality appeals to more and more women<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Our commitment<\/h2>\n<p>Accepting all bodies has been at the heart of our editorial line since our beginnings in plus-size fashion. We show bodies that are rarely seen without reducing them to a \u201cbefore and after\u201d or a heroic feat, and we reject any message that equates health with thinness. Our portraits let people speak for themselves, and never describe anyone as a \u201cflaw to fix.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Where to start<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/she-is-told-to-correct-her-asymmetrical-chest-to-choose-to-love-her-as-she-is-428203\">Embracing asymmetrical breasts<\/a>: the story of a woman who was told to \u201ccorrect\u201d her chest and chose not to.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/nose-stomach-arms-how-complexes-shape-life-choices-432126\">How body insecurities shape our choices<\/a>: nose, belly, arms, and the decisions we make around them.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/this-plus-size-model-denounces-the-silent-demise-of-inclusive-fashion-431725\">The quiet retreat of inclusive fashion<\/a>: a plus-size model calls out the industry for leaving bigger bodies behind.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/taboos-surrounding-stretch-marks-model-kelly-brook-decides-to-speak-out-428667\">Breaking the stretch mark taboo<\/a>: why one model decided to speak openly about hers.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/im-not-a-fit-girl-she-challenges-preconceived-ideas-about-the-athletic-body-447083\">Athletic bodies come in every shape<\/a>: a woman who challenges assumptions about what a sporty body looks like.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Does accepting your body mean neglecting your health?<\/h3>\n<p>No. The movement challenges the idea that thinness proves good health and that fat people deserve less respect or care. It calls for health care free of weight stigma and aligns with the Health at Every Size (HAES) approach, which focuses on habits rather than the number on the scale.<\/p>\n<h3>Do you have to love your body every day?<\/h3>\n<p>No. Self-acceptance doesn\u2019t demand constant love: it means every body, including yours, deserves respect, even on days when you don\u2019t like it much. Body neutrality offers a gentler path for those days, focused on what your body does rather than how it looks.<\/p>\n<h3>What does \u201cbopo\u201d mean?<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cBopo\u201d is short for body positive or body positivity. It\u2019s widely used on social media, especially as a hashtag, to share unretouched photos and messages of self-acceptance. By extension, it also refers to the content and creators who champion body diversity.<\/p>\n<p>Keep exploring: all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\">psychology topics<\/a>, family life in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\">Parenting<\/a>, and body diversity on the runway in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/mannequinat-inclusif\">Inclusive modeling<\/a>.<\/p>","parent":6138,"count":677,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":6140,"category_count":677,"category_description":"<p>The Body positive section of The Body Optimist celebrates every body: plus-size or slim, young or older, disabled, marked by stretch marks, scars or illness. Portraits, personal stories and explainers question beauty standards to help you feel more at peace with your appearance, with no pressure to lose weight or to love yourself no matter what.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Body positive section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Beauty standards<\/strong>: stretch marks, cellulite, hip dips, body hair and wrinkles, demystified, as in our story on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/hip-dips-heres-why-hollow-hips-are-an-asset-not-a-flaw-428176\">hip dips, a natural feature rather than a flaw<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Portraits<\/strong>: plus-size models, athletes, women over sixty and disabled people who are changing who gets seen.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bodies and society<\/strong>: fashion that doesn\u2019t cater to every size, the constant scrutiny of women\u2019s bellies, echoing our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\">Fatphobia<\/a> section.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Self-acceptance<\/strong>: quotes, exercises and stories to make peace with your reflection, alongside our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/confiance-en-soi\">Self-confidence<\/a> section.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What is body positivity and where does it come from?<\/h2>\n<p>Body positivity is a movement built on the idea that every body deserves respect and representation, regardless of size, skin color, age, gender or disability. Its roots lie in the fat acceptance movement, which emerged in the United States in the late 1960s to fight weight discrimination. The term later took off on social media, at the risk of being co-opted by brands and refocused on bodies close to the norm. Going back to its activist origins is a reminder that it\u2019s not only about \u201cloving yourself\u201d but also about fighting fatphobia.<\/p>\n<h2>Body positivity vs. body neutrality: what\u2019s the difference?<\/h2>\n<p>Body neutrality takes appearance out of the spotlight: instead of striving to love your body, you respect it for what it lets you do, such as walking, dancing or resting. It suits people for whom the pressure to \u201clove yourself\u201d adds stress, or whose relationship with their body has been shaped by illness or an eating disorder. The two approaches aren\u2019t opposites. On tough days, a few habits help: unfollow accounts that make you feel guilty, wear clothes that fit the body you have today, and thank your body for something it did rather than judging how it looks. Here\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/why-body-neutrality-is-increasingly-appealing-to-women-446685\">why body neutrality appeals to more and more women<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Our commitment<\/h2>\n<p>Accepting all bodies has been at the heart of our editorial line since our beginnings in plus-size fashion. We show bodies that are rarely seen without reducing them to a \u201cbefore and after\u201d or a heroic feat, and we reject any message that equates health with thinness. Our portraits let people speak for themselves, and never describe anyone as a \u201cflaw to fix.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Where to start<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/she-is-told-to-correct-her-asymmetrical-chest-to-choose-to-love-her-as-she-is-428203\">Embracing asymmetrical breasts<\/a>: the story of a woman who was told to \u201ccorrect\u201d her chest and chose not to.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/nose-stomach-arms-how-complexes-shape-life-choices-432126\">How body insecurities shape our choices<\/a>: nose, belly, arms, and the decisions we make around them.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/this-plus-size-model-denounces-the-silent-demise-of-inclusive-fashion-431725\">The quiet retreat of inclusive fashion<\/a>: a plus-size model calls out the industry for leaving bigger bodies behind.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/taboos-surrounding-stretch-marks-model-kelly-brook-decides-to-speak-out-428667\">Breaking the stretch mark taboo<\/a>: why one model decided to speak openly about hers.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\/im-not-a-fit-girl-she-challenges-preconceived-ideas-about-the-athletic-body-447083\">Athletic bodies come in every shape<\/a>: a woman who challenges assumptions about what a sporty body looks like.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Does accepting your body mean neglecting your health?<\/h3>\n<p>No. The movement challenges the idea that thinness proves good health and that fat people deserve less respect or care. It calls for health care free of weight stigma and aligns with the Health at Every Size (HAES) approach, which focuses on habits rather than the number on the scale.<\/p>\n<h3>Do you have to love your body every day?<\/h3>\n<p>No. Self-acceptance doesn\u2019t demand constant love: it means every body, including yours, deserves respect, even on days when you don\u2019t like it much. Body neutrality offers a gentler path for those days, focused on what your body does rather than how it looks.<\/p>\n<h3>What does \u201cbopo\u201d mean?<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cBopo\u201d is short for body positive or body positivity. It\u2019s widely used on social media, especially as a hashtag, to share unretouched photos and messages of self-acceptance. By extension, it also refers to the content and creators who champion body diversity.<\/p>\n<p>Keep exploring: all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\">psychology topics<\/a>, family life in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/vie-de-maman\">Parenting<\/a>, and body diversity on the runway in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/mannequinat-inclusif\">Inclusive modeling<\/a>.<\/p>","cat_name":"Body positive","category_nicename":"bodypositive","category_parent":6138}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436224","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8264"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=436224"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436224\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":436380,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/436224\/revisions\/436380"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/436371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=436224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=436224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=436224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}