Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them (2024)

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Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them (12) Find a Dermatologist

You can search by location, condition, and procedure to find the dermatologist that’s right for you.

What is a dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails. Dermatologists care for people of all ages.

What exactly is a stretch mark?

Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them (14)
A stretch mark is a type of scar that develops when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The abrupt change causes the collagen and elastin, which support our skin, to rupture. As the skin heals, stretch marks may appear.

Not everyone develops these narrow bands on their skin. Fluctuating hormone levels seem to play a role. You may also have a higher risk if people in your family get stretch marks.

If you develop stretch marks, you’re most likely to do so during these times:

Applying a corticosteroid to your skin for a long time can also cause stretch marks. If you have Cushing’s disease or Marfan syndrome, you may see stretch marks.

When stretch marks first appear, they tend to be red, purple, pink, reddish-brown, or dark brown, depending on your skin color. Early stretch marks may feel slightly raised and can be itchy.

In time, the color fades and the narrow bands sink beneath your skin. If you run your finger over a mature stretch mark, you often feel a slight depression.

What can get rid of stretch marks?

Like any scar, stretch marks are permanent, but treatment may make them less noticeable. Treatment can also help alleviate the itch.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before treating stretch marks. Some products contain ingredients, such as retinol, that can harm your baby.

Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them (15)

It’s important to understand that no single treatment works for everyone — and many products don’t seem to work at all. Here’s what researchers have discovered about the many treatments for stretch marks.

Stretch mark creams, lotions, and gels:Researchers have studied many of the creams, lotions, and gels sold to treat stretch marks. While no one product seems to help all of the time — and some don’t seem to help at all — researchers have discovered some helpful hacks.

If you want to try one of these creams, lotions, or gels to fade stretch marks, be sure to:

  • Use the product on early stretch marks. Treatment seems to have little effect on mature stretch marks.

  • Massage the product into your stretch marks.Taking time to massage the product gently into your skin may make it more effective.

  • Apply the product every day for weeks.If you see results, they take weeks to appear.

Home remedies:In studies, popular home remedies have not worked. Researchers found that none of the stretch marks faded when people massaged almond oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, or vitamin E into their stretch marks.

Tanning cannot get rid of stretch marks. When you tan, stretch marks become more noticeable because they don’t tan.

Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them (16)

Self-tanner: While tanning can make stretch marks more noticeable, a self-tanner can camouflage stretch marks — both early and mature ones. A self-tanner cannot get of rid of stretch marks.

Prescription medicine you apply to your skin:In studies, two ingredients seem to offer some relief:

  • Hyaluronic acid

  • Tretinoin

In two large studies, applying hyaluronic acid to early stretch marks made the stretch marks less noticeable.

Tretinoin is a retinoid, which may also make early stretch marks less noticeable. In one study, people who applied this prescription cream every night for 24 weeks had less noticeable stretch marks. Those who didn’t apply the cream saw their early stretch marks grow. Other studies have found similar results.

Retinol, another type of retinoid, may also help fade early stretch marks.

Procedures that dermatologists perform:Dermatologists use the following procedures to make stretch marks less noticeable, but none of these can get rid of stretch marks:

  • Chemical peel

  • Laser therapy

  • Microdermabrasion

  • Radiofrequency

  • Ultrasound

To give you the best results, your dermatologist may use more than one procedure. For example, your dermatologist may treat you with radiofrequency and a pulse dye laser.

With all procedures, side effects are possible. In the skilled hands of a board-certified dermatologist, side effects tend to be minor and temporary. It’s common to have some redness and swelling after a procedure. The redness and swelling tend to disappear in a few hours or days.

A dermatologist can tell you if any of these treatments would be suitable for you, given your health, age, and how long you’ve had the stretch marks.

Can anything prevent stretch marks?

Short answer: Maybe.

Researchers have discovered that many remedies said to prevent stretch marks don’t actually work. In studies, neither almond oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, nor vitamin E prevented stretch marks.

Other ingredients may work. Researchers have found that products containing centella or hyaluronic acid may help prevent stretch marks. Centella is an herb, and our skin naturally contains hyaluronic acid.

When to seek a dermatologist’s expertise

Stretch mark treatments that you can buy at a store or online can be expensive. If you find yourself spending a lot of time and money without getting any results, seeing a board-certified dermatologist can be helpful.

The in-office procedures have proven more effective than the creams, lotions, and gels. Dermatologists can also tell you about any new product or procedure that may help.

Are all dermatologists board certified?

No. See what it takes to become board certified.

What is a dermatologist?

Images
Image 1 used with permission of theAmerican Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

Image 2 and 3: Getty Images

References
Hague A and Bayat A. “Therapeutic targets in the management of striae distensae: A systematic review.”J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;77(3):559-68.

Stier MF and Hirsch RJ. “Rejuvenation of scars and striae.” In: Hirsch RJ,et al.Aesthetic rejuvenation. McGraw Hill Medical, China, 2009:224-9.

Ud‐Din S, McGeorge D,et al. “Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016; 30(2): 211–22.

Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them (2024)

FAQs

Why are stretch marks appearing? ›

The medical name for stretch marks is striae. Stretch marks (striae) result from rapid stretching of the skin which may occur with obesity, pubertal growth spurts, pregnancy, or from other influences such as Cushing syndrome. Stretch marks (striae) can appear when there is rapid stretching of the skin.

Can you get rid of stretch marks once they appear? ›

Like any scar, stretch marks are permanent, but treatment may make them less noticeable. Treatment can also help alleviate the itch. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before treating stretch marks.

Do stretch marks go away when you lose weight? ›

Stretch marks from gaining too much weight are not likely to go away, even if you lose the weight. That said, stretch marks can heal if they're still red (indicating new stretch marks). Older stretch marks that are translucent are the most difficult to address.

How do celebrities get rid of stretch marks? ›

Kim Kardashian and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (aka Duchess Kate) are both fans of Bio-Oil for keeping skin soft and stretch mark-free during pregnancy. According to the Bio-Oil website, this product has won 349 skincare awards and has become the No.

Can vaseline remove stretch marks? ›

Can Vaseline remove stretch marks? While Vaseline can help to moisturise the skin and improve its overall appearance, it is unlikely to completely remove stretch marks. Using Vaseline in combination with other treatments can help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks over time.

What is best for stretch marks? ›

Derived from vitamin A, retinoids — such as tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Avita) — that you apply to your skin may improve the appearance of stretch marks less than a few months old. Tretinoin, when it works, helps to rebuild a protein in the skin called collagen, making the stretch marks look more like your normal skin.

Do stretch marks ever stop? ›

Stretch marks aren't painful or harmful, but some people don't like the way they make their skin look. Stretch marks don't require treatment. They often fade over time, with or without treatment. They may never disappear completely.

Can Bio-Oil remove stretch marks? ›

While stretch marks cannot be permanently erased, treatments like Bio-Oil can work to reduce their appearance thanks to effective ingredients.

What are stretch marks caused by? ›

Stretch Marks Causes and Risk Factors

Stretch marks happen when your body grows quickly for any reason. Your skin can't stretch enough to keep up. Collagen is a protein that makes your skin more elastic. If your skin doesn't have enough, the marks may show up as it stretches.

Can exercise remove stretch marks? ›

Staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise may help prevent stretch marks caused by sudden weight gain or loss, even during pregnancy.

Why am I getting stretch marks but not pregnant? ›

You're experiencing a growth spurt during adolescence. You have a family history of stretch marks (genetics). You have Cushing's syndrome or Marfan syndrome. You've been on prednisone long term.

Do stretch marks mean loose skin? ›

Excess skin because of massive weight loss can cause stretch marks as the excess skin weighs down the healthy areas of your skin [4]. This causes the skin to stretch and scar, which is why it's so common for people to develop stretch marks and excess skin after losing large amounts of weight in a short space of time.

How do you know if your stretch marks are from losing or gaining weight? ›

Excess skin after rapid, massive weight loss might cause some stretching and tearing, but the majority of stretch marks are not actually caused when you lose the weight. Weight gain is more likely to cause stretch marks, especially on your stomach.

Do pregnancy stretch marks go away? ›

After your baby is born, the marks may gradually fade into paler scars and become less noticeable. They probably will not go away completely.

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