We Love These Visible Stretch Marks On Celebrities (Because That's Real Life, Folks)

Stretch marks are one of the most normal skin responses to rapid changes in the size of a body part like the belly, the hips, the breasts, or even the biceps. Often, stretch marks will appear more visible at first but then fade into less noticeable discolored "lines." (While you can't completely get rid of stretch marks, this is the best way to make them less visible.) 

Even though they don't hurt physically, stretch marks can cause psychological pain. A 2018 Serica Skincare survey (via PR News) found that 54% of women with stretch marks felt that the scarring was negatively impacting their self-image. Three years later, in 2021, a survey conducted by Michigan Medicine revealed that about one-third of pregnant women were embarrassed by their stretch marks. Likewise, a 2021 study in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology showed a strong correlation between the presence of stretch marks and a higher degree of self-consciousness.

These findings may paint a seemingly dismal picture, but there's a silver, social media-driven lining to this story: Many celebrities have become stretch mark advocates. Instead of trying to hide their stretch marks with Photoshop or clever angles, they're showcasing themselves fully to their fans — and baring those stretch marks proudly. And we're here for their normalization of a completely normal (and ubiquitous) condition.

"The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" cast member Layla Taylor has been completely transparent about her life in the years since she reached full-blown star status. In addition to being willing to talk about her difficult mental health journey, she's often shared images showing off her abdominal stretch marks. In one TikTok, she even referred to them as her "stripes." And in an Instagram reel, she admitted that though she deals with body-shaming, she's learning to love her body and what she calls its imperfections, all the while showing off her "striped" belly.

Model Ashley Graham has been pushing the envelope since she rose to fame as one of the most heralded curvy models. After getting pregnant, she didn't hold back on sharing her motherhood experiences online, right down to her body transformations. In a YouTube video, she noted that she was "in awe of how amazing [her] body is" after reflecting on her pregnancy, the birth of her son, and the years since. She's definitely not been camera shy, which tracks with her body-positive attitude. (Graham's also unafraid of showing off her cellulite.)

Social media posts from British celeb and performer Stacey Solomon prove that stretch marks can occur anywhere and aren't relegated to the stomach. Solomon uploaded an Instagram snap of her from behind while lounging poolside in a bikini. Her caption precisely encapsulated her body confidence: "I honestly love how much stretch marks shine in the sun!" In another post (via Hello! Magazine), she gave viewers a visual "tour" of her fave stretchies.

Being an influencer, Lexi Mendiola knows quite a bit about the need for transparency with her followers. As such, she posted a pic from the beach (via Instagram) showing what she deemed "tiger stripes" on the backs of her thighs. The pic was raw and unfiltered — and it received plenty of accolades from people who appreciated that she was giving them a look at the real her. One commenter noted, "here is confirmation that you are naturally beautiful." Another follower gushed, "Better than Baywatch."

The chest is yet another place where stretch marks can make a striking (perhaps "striping") appearance, especially during puberty. It's evident that Lady Gaga has noticeable lines above her breasts in an Instagram post. That said, it's also pretty clear from interviews that the mega-star feels no reason to hide from her public or be ashamed of her body, which says volumes about her (especially since she's one of the celebrities who deal with anxiety disorders). For instance, as seen in a TikTok clip from CelebTeaSpill, she scoffed at the idea of people caring too much about her weight when there were more important problems facing the world.

As one of the famous Kardashians, Kourtney seems to be committed to staying in touch with her fans by not airbrushing every image. In an Instagram post for her brand Poosh, there are visible stretch marks along her left hip. According to Kardashian, she was surprised by the response to the photo. She even admitted to E! News, "I've had stretch marks since eighth or ninth grade on the side of my booty. I never cared about them — I like them!"

Even if you work out all the time, you might find yourself with stretch marks. That's certainly the case with super-fit personal trainer Kayla Itsines. On Instagram, she showed up for real by giving followers a close-up shot of the stretchies on her hips. As she wrote, "This one is for the ladies asking me if I have stretch marks anywhere, yes I sure do." She added that she loves her marks and fully expects to have more one day when she becomes a mom.