How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks: 12 Treatments

How to get rid of stretch marks involves treatments that can fade them and make them less noticeable, although they cannot be completely removed. Creams, topical retinoids, and cosmetic procedures may help improve their color, texture, and overall appearance.

Stretch marks develop when the skin stretches or shrinks quickly, causing collagen and elastin fibers to break. They commonly affect the abdomen, breasts, buttocks, thighs, and other areas where the skin expands rapidly.

Treatment options for red or white stretch marks include creams, moisturizing oils, chemical peels, microneedling, and laser and light-based treatments. Keeping the skin well moisturized and avoiding rapid weight changes may also help reduce the risk of developing new stretch marks.

Treatment options

Treatment options for red or white stretch marks include:

1. Retinol and tretinoin creams

A dermatologist may recommend a stretch mark cream containing retinol or prescription tretinoin to help reduce the appearance of newer stretch marks. These topical retinoids support skin renewal and may improve the texture, color, and overall appearance of the affected skin.

Retinol is available in over-the-counter skin care products, while tretinoin is a stronger prescription retinoid. Products may also contain moisturizing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, and should be applied over the full length of the stretch marks as directed.

Retinol and tretinoin should not be used during pregnancy or while trying to become pregnant. Treatment with tretinoin should be supervised by a dermatologist, who can recommend the most appropriate product, strength, and length of use.

2. Moisturizing oils

Moisturizing oils, such as avocado oil, rosehip oil, or passion fruit oil, can help hydrate the skin and improve its elasticity. They may also support skin cell renewal and improve the appearance of newer stretch marks.

3. Radiofrequency therapy

Radiofrequency therapy may improve blood flow, oxygen delivery, and nutrient delivery to the treated area. This can help make red stretch marks less noticeable.

This treatment should be performed by a dermatologist or a qualified professional at a licensed medical or cosmetic clinic.

4. Vacuum therapy

Vacuum therapy uses a suction device to gently lift the skin. This increases blood flow to the treated area and may improve circulation around red stretch marks, making them less noticeable.

5. Chemical peel

A dermatologist may perform a chemical peel using glycolic acid or another appropriate peeling agent. This treatment promotes skin renewal, stimulates collagen production, and improves blood flow to the skin, which may help reduce the appearance of white stretch marks.

6. Carboxytherapy

Carboxytherapy involves injecting carbon dioxide gas, or CO2, beneath skin affected by red or white stretch marks.

The treatment is performed by a qualified healthcare professional to increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skin. It may also stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, helping improve skin elasticity and reduce the width of stretch marks.

7. Microneedling

Microneedling, sometimes performed with a dermaroller or motorized microneedling device, stimulates the production of new collagen fibers. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, this collagen-stimulating response can make stretch marks less noticeable and improve skin texture.

The procedure should be performed by a dermatologist or another properly trained healthcare professional using very fine, sterile needles.

8. Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a type of mechanical exfoliation that removes the most superficial layers of the skin. This can give the affected skin a more even appearance.

This treatment may be performed using aluminum oxide crystals, which produce a controlled response in the skin and may reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

9. Intense pulsed light

A dermatologist may recommend intense pulsed light, or IPL, to treat newer stretch marks that are still red. The treatment stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen fibers and reorganize them within the skin.

IPL may reduce the redness, size, and width of newer stretch marks.

10. Galvanic current therapy

Galvanic current therapy uses a device that produces a low-level electrical current. The electrical stimulation is intended to help certain topical substances penetrate more deeply into the skin and support the production of collagen and elastin, improving the appearance of stretch marks.

11. Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy involves injecting different substances into or beneath the skin along the entire length of the stretch marks. The treatment is intended to improve their appearance and reduce their size.

The specific substances used can vary. This procedure should only be performed by a qualified healthcare professional after the ingredients, possible risks, and expected benefits have been reviewed.

12. Platelet-rich plasma

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a concentrated plasma solution prepared from a sample of the person’s own blood. A qualified healthcare professional may inject it directly into skin affected by stretch marks.

This treatment is intended to stimulate collagen production. It may be performed on its own or combined with another procedure, such as carboxytherapy.

How to prevent new stretch marks

To help prevent new stretch marks, keep the skin moisturized and avoid rapid weight gain or repeated cycles of weight gain and weight loss, which can affect the skin’s structure. Eating enough protein and drinking more water may also support overall skin health.

Stretch marks commonly appear during pregnancy, especially on the abdomen and breasts. Keeping the skin moisturized from the beginning of pregnancy may help maintain hydration, although it cannot guarantee that stretch marks will not develop.

Consult a dermatologist or obstetrician before starting any medicated skin treatment during pregnancy.

What causes stretch marks?

Stretch marks can occur in people of any age. However, they are more common during puberty and pregnancy because these periods often involve hormonal changes and rapid changes in weight or body size.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, stretch marks develop when the skin stretches or shrinks quickly, causing the collagen and elastin that support the skin to rupture. This can leave narrow lines that initially appear red, purple, pink, or dark brown and usually become lighter over time.