So there you are… minding your own business… growing up.

Accumulating an acceptable number of friends and average number of likes across your many social media accounts.

Generally avoiding embarrassing haircuts and dodgy schoolyard incidents.

When all of a sudden one day you look in the mirror and discover zebra-like pink and purple stripes breaking through on your belly. A week later they’re on your thighs and that’s it, your life is officially over.

“Well that’s just it” you think, “that’s the end of my swimming career. And my gymnastics leotard is definitely out. I did love that leotard. No one will ever love me. I’ve had it good up to this point but now I will be alone forever”.

[sigh]

Stretch marks are often red or purple to start with before gradually fading to a silvery-white colour. They’re usually long and thin and are caused when the skin stretches during growth. It sounds weird until you think about how your body changes shape in so many ways as you grow – your skin has to bend and stretch to wrap itself around those new curves and shapes. If you’re still intrigued you can read more about them here.

There are all kinds of creams and lotions on the market that promise to get rid of them, although most experts claim that there isn’t actually any evidence that they work…

Enter 21-year-old artist Cinta Tort Catro. This RIdicoooolously cool chick embarked on her own long journey towards self-love. She was inspired by how unbelievably amazing our bodies are and all the things that they can do. Then, in a moment of pure artistic genius, she decided to paint these slithery stretch marks in bright rainbow colours, making them stand out in the most spectacular way.

And like a tiger who earned her stripes, she now wears them with pride.

Be like Cinta… Be a tiger.