Having children, losing weight or growing pains - stretch marks can really ebb away at a woman’s confidence.
Now a new Instagram account wants women to celebrate their natural beauty, asking contributors to share their own stretch marks saying, “don't apply any filters or effects to the photo".
They add: "Thank you so much for courageously sharing."
The images are posted by contributors who then caption their pictures with inspiring stories about why they love their lines:
'Mom of 1 beautiful goofy boy. My sons dad ran out on us when I was 7 months pregnant and never came back. I had to work 2 jobs to afford everything and it was the hardest yet most rewarding time of my life. I gave birth to my son with no man to hold my hand. And I did everything from feedings and diaper changes to paying all the bills. Today I'm in a wonderfully healthy relationship with someone who loves my stretch marks and thinks I'm beautiful. Moral of this story is, you can't win a battle without getting some scars. These are mine, and I wear them proud!'
'I am only 19 and I'm very insecure about myself. These stretch marks aren't my only scars, I also have psoriasis; a skin condition that produces plaques of thickened, inflamations and scaling skin. So I never show parts of my body which have those plaques or stretch lines. Because I'm ashamed about those gifts God left me. But starting from now i want to love those gifts. Thanks to all these brave women who courageously share their scars and lines.'
'When I was 12 or 13, I woke up one day with stretch marks across my knees. I don't know how or why, but they just appeared. I was mortified when I found them. People would stare and ask what they were or how I got them, often times joking that they looked like tiger marks. I used to cross my legs constantly or cover my knees with my hands when seated, all in an attempt to not let anyone see the lines which wouldn't go away. I finally realized I needed to stop hiding them. They were a sign of my growth. They are a constant reminder to me that the best growth happens when we are left with scars, but it is up to us to see the beauty and perfection in every line and mark.'
Other contributors and followers responded to this post with some words of encouragement, most likely:
"Tell her that her stretch marks are just explosions of her soul beneath her skin. I think that is the truest and most beautiful explanation of all."
Amongst the stories, a community of followers leave positive messages of support to the women who have volunteered their bodies for this campaign of self-love.
For your own chance to leave a message, submit a photo or share in self-expression, visit the account
here.
