The latest body love campaign to sweep through social media is encouraging women to celebrate their stretch marks.
The #loveyourlines tag has gone viral with courageous women everywhere sharing snaps of their lined stomachs, thighs and décolletages in a bid to stop body shaming women – especially after giving birth.
“#LoveYourLines is a social media photo campaign to help showcase the beauty of the female body,” the account states. “This account is curated by two mummas hoping to make a difference in the world of female body image… All women of different shapes, sizes, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to submit… We can’t wait to see your love lines!”
The insecurity that mars stretch marks isn’t just reserved for mothers; young women are also posting about their post-puberty blemishes and sharing body love advice.
On Instagram alone the Loveyourlines handle, which began in early August, already has over 30,000 followers and counting.
See some of the most striking images from the campaign.
Many of the #loveyourlines posts come with inspirational stories. Here are a few provocative posts: “My mum is the one who came across this love your lines in a Cosmo article and shared it with me. I’ve been struggling with my stretch marks since I gave birth back in December. I always try to hide them whenever I’m at the beach or the pool. But after reading a lot of stories I feel like I can now be comfortable with my after birth stretch marks. It’s nothing to be ashamed of they just tell a story of how I carried a beautiful baby boy for 36 weeks my belly was his home and even he seems to like them. From this day on I will no longer be ashamed knowing there are many women out there who flaunt their marks.” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“I have had stretch marks since I was 13 years old. I’ll be honest, I don’t like them. I never wear bikinis… but I find these women so beautiful… Thank you for this Instagram account.” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“Before having children I was a very petite 95 lb woman, and so it’s no wonder that after four children I have been stretched to the max. Though I may not have come to terms with my lines I have gained four beautiful babies who are so worth it! Thank you so much for this page.” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“In 2008 I was 18 and diagnosed with lupus and had kidney failure I was retaining liquid so I got swollen and lost a lot of weight. It’s been 6 years with stretch marks. I’m 23 years old now with 2 kids and trying to beat lupus. I love wearing shorts and skirts but when I go out everybody is looking at my legs like its disgusting. I tell my husband that sometimes I feel ashamed of my stretch marks but he tells me I don’t care that you have stretch marks.” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“My lines are a symbol of my femininity. My lines are soft, yet profound. My lines don’t seek anyone’s approval. My lines are shameless. My lines have no beginning and no end. My lines offer my mate a seal of authenticity. My lines will teach my daughter that imperfection is beauty.” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“After watching my parent’s health struggles, I started working on getting healthy, losing 95 pounds to date. My stretch marks look a little different now, and I have some new little wrinkles on my stomach. I don’t need to be a size 2 model, but these lines remind me of the progress I have made.” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“An abusive relationship took its toll and I went into preterm labor 6 months into my pregnancy. I refused to let my body give up on her while on bed rest – Today I am with the most amazing man who kisses those lines.” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“Mother of a wonderful seven-year-old boy!” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“I am a 50 yr old Mum of 3 and I am proud to share my lines with you!” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“Three miscarriages, no babies, lots of stretch marks…” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“I am 33, no kids yet. I’ve had stretch marks since I was 12 or 13 even though I was slim, on my thighs and around my knees. My mom used to buy me products to lessen their appearance. Then I was kind of ashamed of those lines. Years later I put on weight, I got new ones on my thighs and two big ones on my belly… The old stripes were horizontal, the new ones are vertical. So now I’ve got like a grid pattern on my thighs, but I care no more.” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“I developed late and fast. I went from being made fun of for being flat my freshman year of highschool to a DD as a senior. I was petite and couldn’t find bras and always felt uncomfortable. I use to try and apply makeup (they were so much brighter then [than] they are now) They have faded and I have learned how to find and fit bras for myself, it is still a struggle at times but I do not think about them anymore when I dress.” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“At first I felt weird. Ashamed. Even ugly. I got stretch marks at an early age. I had my first period when I was 11-years-old, and my body changed almost directly. I have been hiding them almost all my life. When they did show, I felt awkward around my friends. Now at the age of 20 I’ve accepted that no body is the same. Some people still ask me “where did you get these scars from?” I can’t help but laugh at those questions. I call them tiger stripes, and I am proud of every single one of them. They are mine. I have earned them. You should be proud of yours 2! #thankyouforinspiringme” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“My stomach that I was always ready to flaunt went from a solid six pack to this. I was self conscious and ashamed to show it to anyone. I tried different stretch mark creams to eradicate my marks but now I wear it as a badge of honour!” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“If you could name any place on my body, I have stretch marks there. I’m only 22, no kids, no nothing. I’ve had my stretch marks since I was 12 [and] I used to get teased throughout middle & high school. I used to be so self conscious. I wouldn’t buy shirts unless they had sleeves [and] covered my entire body. I even battled with bulimia for a few years because I wanted to be skinny [and] beautiful. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve accepted that my stretch marks aren’t going anywhere, so there’s no point in trying to hide them. I’m still beautiful [and] my boyfriend loves to run his fingers up [and] down my tiger stripes. I’m a warrior against this weight battle, but I will always come out on top [and] I will always be beautiful.” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
“Never thought in a million years I would be so god damn proud of my body. I appreciate it even more now after carrying, nurturing and developing my special little girl. Being only 21 and having a baby has changed my life for the best, and recently founding out my daughter has a very rare syndrome (craniofrontonasal dysplasia) makes me love my lines so much more, there the results of my body carrying one special baby.” PHOTO: Instagram / @loveyourlines.
