Started by two mothers "hoping to make a difference in the world of the female body image," the Love Your Lines Instagram account showcases beautiful, user-submitted black-and-white photography of women's stretch marks. Each photo is captioned with the subject's story of how she got her marks — and the powerful testimonies cover everything from post-pregnancy to growth spurts to illness.
Guidelines ask filters not be applied to the photo and that users share "a part of your body that you think will inspire others to feel good about themselves (a part that you may have struggled with in the past or currently)."
The caption reads: "I acquired these at the ripe age of 13, first menses, 84lbs (super slim). No children. Just life. It took me forever to get used to my stretch marks when no one else did. This rasta man from back home (Virgin Islands) told me that lines on a woman's body reminded him of filigree gold and it was a testament to the changes a woman's body had been through. How could I not love my body after that? So here's to me embracing my small filigree bootay."
The caption reads: "2 beautiful children, 2 (not so beautiful) C-sections, within a 2 year time frame. My 21 year old petite body took on so many changes in so little time I didn't know how or if I ever could embrace it. My children's father put me down all the time because of the way my body looked after my children which didn't help either. I can gladly say I'm slowing learning to accept my body for how it is. I'm blessed with 2 wonderful children and in a new relationship with a man who doesn't hesitate to remind me how beautiful I am inside and out."
The caption reads: "My kidneys almost failed due to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in 2005. Due to excess amounts of fluid in my body and steroids I rapidly gained 40lbs. Going from 140 to about 180 in a matter of weeks. After losing the extra weight, I was blessed with these lines. My lines remind me of what I have conquered. They remind me to be thankful and grateful for my new life."
The caption reads: "Imperfections are what makes us perfect. Easily said, harder to fully embrace...true nonetheless."
The caption reads: "#LoveYourLines is a social media photo campaign to help showcase the beauty of the female body. This account is curated by two mommas hoping to make a difference in the world of the female body image. To submit your photos please email loveyourlines@gmail.com. All women of different shapes, sizes and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to submit. Photos submitted should be taken against a plain background. We can't wait to see your love lines!"
The caption reads: "Momma @Alex_Elle shares her #LoveLines story with us: ""I've always "had a butt" and the older I get the more it grows. I now have stretch marks all over my booty! Growing up I was tiny, 115lbs at the most. I played basketball until age 14 and I danced (a lot of my life) ballet/jazz until age 16. But once I had my daughter (at 18) I wasn't focused on ballet anymore... I was focused on #breastfeeding. I was able to lose all of my baby weight but the evidence of my daughter was loud and clear. Going from 110lbs during pregnancy to 165lbs at delivery was interesting. That weight gain and then weight loss was a lot for my frame. The stretch marks on my butt got worse and my mom made me feel so self conscious about them. "You're gonna wear those shorts?" "You're brave to wear that bikini with your stretchies." But over the years no amount of bio oil, cocoa butter or cream could dissolve my markings. I'm still learning to love them. Sometimes I stand naked in the mirror and look back at my butt just to examine how many love lines there are. I can't say I'm madly in love with them but I'm learning to appreciate them as a reminder of my journey through womanhood."
The caption reads: "She loves my belly. Constantly massaging and rubbing it. Always squeezing and pinching the extra skin. When I first saw the stretch marks forming on my belly in the last few weeks of pregnancy, I was sad. I was even more devastated when I saw what my stomach looked like after I gave birth. No longer flat, no longer firm, no longer stretch mark free, no longer the same. But then I thought about it, I am no longer the same! I am forever changed now that I am a mother! And these marks on my stomach are like a badge of honour!"
The caption reads: "25, 130 lbs, no kids. I've had my lines since middle school. I used to be embarrassed and hide them, tried cocoa butter and fade creams. I've learned to fully embrace it. Now I can walk down the beach, no cover up..they're forever a part of me and my lines are beautiful." Another amazing #loveyourlines submission."
The caption reads: "I've got stretch marks that I've had to learn to love all down my breasts. They aren't going anywhere and neither is my acceptance of them."
The caption reads: "The beautiful @jasminemi_chelle shares that her stomach housed a beautiful baby girl 2 years ago. She loves her lines... they "show the beauty of life!"
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Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
