Stretch Marks: What They Are, Why They Appear and Treatment

Stretch marks: what they are, why they appear, and treatment

Stretch marks are a type of scar that can develop when skin stretches or shrinks quickly. They are very common, are not contagious or dangerous, and usually fade over time. If you choose treatment, the realistic goal is to make them less noticeable; no product or procedure can guarantee complete removal.

What are stretch marks?

The American Academy of Dermatology describes a stretch mark as a scar that can develop when skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The abrupt change affects the collagen and elastin that support the skin.

Early stretch marks may look red, purple, pink, reddish-brown, or dark brown. They may itch or feel slightly raised. As they mature, they commonly fade, sink below the surface, and appear white, silver, or lighter than surrounding skin.

They are not a superficial dark spot. A bleaching cream or at-home exfoliation therefore cannot restore the skin’s previous structure by itself.

Why do they appear?

Common situations include:

• Pregnancy, particularly when the abdomen, breasts, hips, or thighs change quickly.
• Growth spurts during puberty.
• Rapid weight gain or loss.
• Rapid muscle growth, such as during strength training.
• Family history and hormonal changes.
• Long-term corticosteroid use, including some topical or systemic medicines.

Rarely, unusually wide stretch marks or marks that appear without a clear reason may be associated with excess cortisol, as in Cushing syndrome, or with certain connective-tissue disorders.

Early and mature stretch marks

“Red” and “white” describe common stages, not different diseases.

Color depends on skin tone and cannot date a stretch mark precisely. There is also no universal one- or two-year cutoff that determines whether treatment will work.

Do they need treatment?

No. Stretch marks are harmless and often become less visible on their own. Treatment is elective and cosmetic.

Seek medical advice if many large stretch marks appear suddenly, there is no obvious cause, you use corticosteroids for a long time, or you also have easy bruising, muscle weakness, marked changes in fat distribution, or other symptoms. Do not stop a prescribed corticosteroid on your own.

Creams and topical products

Tretinoin and other retinoids

Prescription tretinoin may make some recent stretch marks less noticeable. It does not work for everyone and can irritate, dry, or inflame the skin.

Retinoids should not be used during pregnancy. If you are trying to become pregnant or are breastfeeding, ask the clinician managing your care before using retinol, tretinoin, or another retinoid; do not assume every product and every stage requires the same rule.

Hyaluronic acid

The AAD says some hyaluronic-acid formulations may make early stretch marks less noticeable. This does not mean every cream containing hyaluronic acid has the same effect or that it can erase mature scars.

Butters, oils, and vitamin E

Moisturizing may ease tightness or dryness, but studies summarized by the AAD did not find that massaging cocoa butter, olive oil, almond oil, or vitamin E prevents or removes stretch marks. “Natural” does not mean effective or irritation-free.

Prevention products

Evidence for preventing stretch marks with creams is limited. The AAD notes favorable findings for some products containing centella or hyaluronic acid, but there is no guarantee, and results cannot automatically be attributed to every product containing those ingredients.

Professional procedures

Mayo Clinic and the AAD describe several options that may make stretch marks less noticeable:

• microneedling;
• laser and other light therapies;
• radiofrequency;
• chemical peels;
• microdermabrasion;
• combinations selected by a dermatologist.

None has proved consistently superior for everyone. Choice depends on the age and color of the marks, skin tone and tendency to pigment, body area, risks, cost, recovery time, and expectations.

Microneedling

Microneedling creates controlled punctures with a device to stimulate a healing response. Mayo Clinic includes it among the options for stretch marks and says it may carry less risk of color changes than laser, so it is often considered first for darker skin. “Lower risk” does not mean “risk-free.”

The FDA lists common effects including redness, burning, bleeding, peeling, and crusting, and less common risks such as infection, herpes reactivation, scarring, and pigment changes. The agency also notes that its authorizations are limited to specific devices, indications, and body areas; it has not evaluated every device for every location.

There is no universal protocol of three to six sessions every four weeks for all stretch marks. Session count, depth, spacing, and outcome depend on the device, body area, and clinical assessment.

Microneedling combined with PRP, PDRN, or other products

Calling a combination “regenerative” does not establish that it is superior or authorized for delivering that product into skin. The FDA says it has not authorized microneedling devices to deliver cosmetics, medicines, vitamins, or blood products such as PRP.

If you are offered microneedling with PRP, PDRN, polynucleotides, or another substance, ask separately:

• what evidence supports its use for stretch marks;
• whether the device and product are authorized for that use and body area;
• what risks the combination adds;
• who will perform it and how a new, sterile cartridge is ensured.

No institutional patient source was found that would support presenting PDRN or the commercial brands previously named in this article as an established stretch-mark treatment.

Laser and light

Different lasers target color or texture through different mechanisms. They can cause redness, swelling, burns, scarring, and skin lightening or darkening. Skin tone and operator experience matter, and a specific improvement percentage should not be promised without identifying the device and applicable evidence.

Radiofrequency and radiofrequency microneedling

Radiofrequency should not be described as automatically safer or superior to laser. In October 2025, the FDA reported serious complications with certain aesthetic uses of radiofrequency microneedling, including burns, scarring, fat loss, disfigurement, and nerve damage. The indication, device, training, and informed consent are essential.

Chemical peels and microdermabrasion

These may be part of a plan to improve appearance, but they do not remove the scar. Depth, product, and skin tone affect irritation and pigment risk. A high acid percentage should not be used at home or copied from an online protocol.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy-related stretch marks often fade after delivery, although texture may persist. There is no need to treat them while they are changing.

• Avoid retinoids such as retinol and tretinoin during pregnancy.
• Before using any “stretch-mark” cream, review its ingredients with your obstetrician or dermatologist.
• During breastfeeding, the decision depends on the product, body area, absorption, and potential infant exposure. Not every treatment must wait until breastfeeding ends, but none should be assumed safe without assessment.
• Elective procedures may be postponed or individualized; pregnancy and breastfeeding should not be reduced to one universal rule for all lasers, needles, anesthetics, and products.

Can stretch marks be prevented?

There is no guaranteed strategy. Healthy habits and following pregnancy weight-gain guidance may be reasonable, but someone can develop stretch marks despite caring for their skin and weight.

Moisturizers may ease dryness or itching, but they have not been shown to reliably prevent stretch marks. Do not use restrictive dieting during pregnancy in an attempt to prevent them; weight gain should be discussed with the prenatal care professional.