Miel Pangilinan claps back at netizen who said having stretch marks is not normal

Miel Pangilinan, just gave the most composed response to a netizen who said having stretch marks is not normal, especially if you haven't given birth yet.

On TikTok, Miel proudly showed her stretch marks after a user pointed them out in one of her outfit videos.

According to Sharon Cuneta's daughter, having stretch marks is normal, but another user disagreed and commented, “its not normal lalo na pag 'di ka pa nagkaanak.”

In response, Miel made a “Science lesson” video, showing screenshots from a quick Google search.

Citing her sources, Miel said the cause of stretch marks is stretching of the skin and that anyone can develop them, even those who haven't given birth.

“Ginoogle ko lang ‘yan, mima. Napakasimple ‘yung act of googling ‘di ba? Papansin ka lang, alam ko. But I got to use it as an opportunity to teach you and other people,” Miel said.

“So, the next time you try to comment on people’s pages, do your research,” she added.

In case you were wondering: Stretch marks are scars of the skin’s inner layer. 

In a 2017 Pinoy MD episode, Dr. Jean Marquez explained, “The skin actually has elastic fibers. Pagka binabanat mo ito, bumabalik siya dapat, parang rubber band.”

When these elastic fibers get pulled too much that they split apart, stretch marks occur.

While that usually happens during pregnancy, or when a person gains weight, board certified dermatologist Dr. Tanya Perez-Chua told GMA News Online back in 2022 that stretch marks usually develop between the ages of 5 and 50 years.

Perez-Chua adds stretch marks commonly develop during puberty and during pregnancy which are "the times in our lives where there are sudden changes in our sizes."

Unfortunately, stretch marks are permanent. Fortunately, people's attitudes towards it are changing. We even have celebrities like Sarah Lahbati, Andi Eigenmann, and Iya Villania proudly showcasing their stripes, and Miel right here who openly talk about it.

@ponyofilm Replying to @MARGIE MORAN ? original sound - miel pangilinan

— Carby Basina/LA, GMA Integrated News