There is no perfect solution for stretch marks, but topical treatments can help hydrate your skin, promote healing, and even out skin tone.
Stretch marks, also called striae, happen when your skin changes shape rapidly due to growth or weight gain. They usually aren’t a sign that anything is wrong with your health.
Anyone can get stretch marks, regardless of gender. Pregnancy and puberty are the two most common times in life to get them.
At first, a stretch mark will appear as a thin red or purple line of a different texture than the skin around it. Most stretch marks will fade on their own over time.
They may become less noticeable after fading. Faded stretch marks usually look lighter in color than the surrounding skin and a little shiny, like a scar.
Research tells us there is no secret cure-all ingredient for stretch marks — at least not yet. But some home remedies can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks and could help them fade more quickly.
Newer stretch marks are more likely to respond to treatment.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A in skin care products is referred to as a retinoid. Retinoids can make skin appear smoother and more youthful. They’re used in many over-the-counter (OTC) topical cosmetic creams.
However, few recent and large-scale studies have examined the efficacy of tretinoin for stretch marks. More research is needed to identify all its effects on stretch marks.
Vitamin A products can sometimes irritate the skin, so it’s best to follow instructions carefully if you try this ingredient. Because there are known risks to using retinoids during pregnancy, you should not use them if you are:
- pregnant
- lactating
- trying to become pregnant
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a powerful ingredient for moisturizing and skin healing. It’s often used in creams, lotions, and serums.
The visible appearance of stretch marks comes along with invisible changes to your skin. These changes make skin less elastic, in part because collagen isn’t doing its usual job of strengthening the skin.
Hyaluronic acid could have the potential to effect skin elasticity, according to a
In fact, some research from 2017 suggests that hyaluronic acid can improve the appearance of stretch marks, though more research is needed to be sure. To try it, apply a hyaluronic acid product to the affected area each day.
Centella
Centella asiatica is an herb that’s a popular ingredient in Korean beauty (K-beauty) products.
Known as cica creams, products containing centella are sometimes used as scar treatments or to help calm and repair sensitive skin. Cica creams are growing in popularity in the United States, but they can be pricey.
Centella helps reduce inflammation and promote collagen production.
Sugar
Sugar is a popular exfoliator. The small crystals gently scrub away dead skin and leave you feeling smoother.
Microdermabrasion performed by a dermatologist is one of the few clinically proven methods to make stretch marks fade. So, this home remedy for exfoliation seems worth a try. You might already have the ingredients at home.
To make a sugar scrub:
- Combine 1/2 cup sugar with a softening agent, like almond oil or coconut oil. Mix the oil into the sugar, a little at a time. Your scrub is ready when it looks like wet beach sand. You may need to add up to 1/2 cup oil in total.
- Gently rub the mixture over the part of your body where the stretch marks are.
- Repeat 2 or 3 times per week while in the shower or bath. Rinse with warm water.
Make small batches of the scrub as needed. You can store your sugar scrub in a sealed container for a short time, but if it starts to look or smell off, start fresh with a new batch.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera has a long history as a natural skin treatment. The jelly from inside the leaves of the aloe vera plant can be applied directly to skin to soothe and moisturize.
Research from 2018 suggests that aloe vera helps skin heal from burns and wounds. Because stretch marks are a type of scarring from damaged skin, aloe’s skin-repairing properties might help with stretch mark prevention or fading.
While little clinical evidence exists for aloe vera as a stretch mark cure, pure aloe vera may be worth trying because it can soften and heal skin.
Apply pure aloe vera from a plant or an OTC product to your stretch marks daily after your shower.
- Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser
- ALODERMA Natural Aloe Soothing & Moisturising Cleanser
- CBDfx CBD Aloe Vera Face Mask
Coconut oil
Virgin coconut oil has some known benefits for the skin. It can help maintain your skin’s protective barrier.
Research from 2018 suggested that coconut oil improves dry skin and some skin infections. And in a
There’s not a lot of evidence to promote the use of coconut oil for stretch marks. Research on other plant oils (olive oil, almond oil, and cocoa butter) hasn’t shown any improvement from their use.
That said, it’s possible that the action of gently massaging an oil onto your skin could prevent stretch marks,
Of course, if you’re allergic to coconut, you’ll want to avoid this ingredient.
Keep in mind that any skin care treatment can occasionally cause allergies or sensitivities. This includes home remedies and natural approaches. So, if you notice a reaction, stop using the ingredient.
Medical procedures for stretch marks are delivered in-office by trained professionals. You will likely be treated by a doctor — a dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon, or plastic surgeon — or a licensed professional, depending on what state you’re located in, the procedure, and the possible risks. More research is needed. However, studies — such as one from 2017 and another from the same year — suggest that stretch marks can be visibly improved by the medical treatments listed below. It’s best to have realistic expectations about the results. Even medical treatments can’t fully erase or prevent stretch marks.
Laser therapy
Lasers deliver focused light to the skin. Depending on what kind of laser is used, treatment could have the potential to increase collagen production and help stretch marks fade to blend in with the surrounding skin,
Laser therapy is also used to diminish skin texture and redness caused by scars and rosacea. So it makes sense that laser therapy could potentially improve the look of stretch marks.
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Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion involves exfoliating the skin in a way that at-home remedies can’t. Using a handheld wand, a professional applies an abrasive substance to your skin to gently scrub away dead skin cells.
Research on microdermabrasion for stretch marks is limited, but a
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Microneedling
Microneedling uses a device that creates tiny pricks in the skin. This treatment causes the skin to produce collagen and elastin, which could help loose skin appear tighter.
Unlike at-home tools, in-office microneedling goes deeper into your skin to target the skin’s healing function more effectively and more safely, according to the
Microneedling is a minimally invasive way to treat the texture of stretch marks, even older ones, and it may help to even out skin tone.
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Radiofrequency therapy
Radiofrequency treatments send energy waves into your skin that stimulate collagen production. The result can be firmer skin.
Recently, radiofrequency treatments have been combined with microneedling treatments in order to send the energy waves even deeper into the skin. The needle penetrates the skin and releases radiofrequency into the channels, stimulating deeper layers of collagen, per
Additional
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Chemical peel
Chemical peels involve the application of an acid, such as glycolic acid, to the skin’s surface. Professional chemical peels are more powerful than at-home versions and are applied in-office.
Peels provide a deep exfoliation of the skin and promote collagen production, per a
In general, clinical procedures are more effective than home remedies for stretch marks. But these procedures aren’t typically covered by insurance, and they can be costly.
Not all options are appropriate for all skin types, so it’s important to consult a dermatologist to find out which one is right for you.
Stretch marks can happen to anyone, but some people are more likely than others to get them. Genetics is one of the strongest predictors. If people you’re related to have stretch marks, you’re likely to develop them, too.
Pregnancy is a common cause of stretch marks. Research published in 2015 suggests that up to
Other risk factors include:
- using a corticosteroid medication
- losing or gaining weight rapidly
- having breast enlargement surgery
- increasing muscle size rapidly, for example through bodybuilding
Remember that stretch marks are common. The changes that can cause stretch marks — such as growth spurts, weight changes, and pregnancy — happen to many people.
There is no perfect home remedy, but topical treatments can help with hydration and can promote your skin’s healing processes. For both natural treatments and medical procedures, more research is needed to clarify what’s most effective and who they are most likely to help.
If you’re treating stretch marks due to pregnancy, it’s always best to check with your doctor to ensure the treatment is safe to use.
Almost all stretch marks will fade over time, even if you don’t treat them. Rarely will stretch marks stay as prominent as when they first appear.
