Stretch marks or striae can be described as forms of scarring on the skin which are caused by tearing of the dermis, diminishing over time but not totally disappearing. Very often they are the consequence of fast stretching of the skin associated with rapid growth or weight changes. Apart from that, striae may also appear due to hormonal changes occurred during puberty. What is more, a lot of women suffer from stretch marks as they appear after pregnancy, especially during the last trimester and usually on the tummy, breast, thighs, hips, lower back and buttocks. Stretch marks resemble reddish or purple lines, but tend to gradually fade to a lighter range. There are many treatments available in order to improve the appearance of stretch marks, such as laser treatments or dermabrasion. A new method used to reduce the visibility of stretch marks is fractional laser resurfacing. Using scattered pulses of light only a fraction of the scar is zapped by the laser over the course of several treatments. This creates microscopic wounds. The body responds to each treatment by producing new collagen and epithelium which results in stretch marks improving.