While stretch marks pose no health risks, they do cause social and psychological distress to self-conscious teenagers. At this critical time of life where appearance and 'fitting-in' is everything, a teenager's confidence and self- esteem can be severely damaged with the onset of these marks.

In recent years it has become apparent that Stretch Marks are causing a lot of stress and anxiety in our young teenagers. Internet forums are filled with comments like:

"I am 14 and have stretch marks on my breasts and bottom. They make me feel insecure and embarrassed so that I can't speak to anyone about it. Is it normal for a girl my age to have them?"

"I am embarrassed to take my shirt off in front of other people during sports or at the beach ... especially when girls are around."

"My 15-year-old daughter has bright red stretch marks on both breasts over an inch long. She is very fair skinned and very upset by this."

Many teenagers affected by with these scars feel like they have little choice but to cover up at the beach and stop wearing revealing fashionable clothes, therefore, inhibiting their social activities. Most teenagers find them to be a source of humiliation, and refuse to talk about them. Unfortunately, society has generally associated stretch marks with pregnant women and overweight people, often forgetting about adolescents going through puberty. This lack of information for teenagers makes them feel like they are the only ones who have them and again gives them a sense of alienation.

If you are noticing these marks on your body, you are NOT alone. They are a normal part of puberty for most girls and guys. It's estimated that at least 35% of girls and 15% of boys will develop marks at some point during puberty. Your childhood skin has stretched to incorporate your new mature body. Girls fill out and generally get them on their hips, thighs and breasts. Boys gain weight and grow tall rapidly and it is very common for pubescent boys to take up bodybuilding, all these factors will contribute.

Scars result when the skins collagen and elastin fibres are literally stretched to breaking point, and are caused when the skin is called upon to grow while hormones are out of balance, for example pregnancy, puberty, rapid weight gain or weight loss. They are also more likely to occur if a person uses steroid-containing creams or ointments (such as hydrocortisone) on their skin for more than a few weeks, or if a person has to take high doses of corticosteroids by mouth for months or longer. People who are obese often have them.

So what can teenagers do?

Sunless tanning treatments and body make-up can help cover them up. If you intend to spend a lot of time in the water make sure that you use a water resistant one. Regular tanning or tanning beds don't work very well as the scars themselves don't tan and will appear more noticeable against your darkened skin. A balanced diet will help you avoid excessive weight gain and you should also remember to drink plenty of water as this keeps your skin supple and enhances its elasticity which in turn can prevent them.

Other treatments include a tummy tuck, laser treatment or micro-dermabrasion which are all very costly and if you haven't finished growing as a teenager or perhaps if you are female you wish to have babies, these treatments would be a waste of time and money. There are hundreds of creams available on the market that can be used to treat stretch marks. Some creams aid in preventing them by moisturising the skin whilst others help eliminate existing, old scars. Your marks will not disappear using a cream but these treatments are excellent at reducing redness, plumping the skin and maintaining a uniform colour to the affected area, therefore making them hardly noticeable.

Remember, people like you for you, your personality, your character, your sense of humour. All these things are visible to the world and are what people will judge you on, NOT your stretch marks. You don't have to be perfect. Nobody else is!