Stretch marks are completely harmless, and there is no medical need to treat them. Some people are perfectly comfortable with their stretch marks and choose to embrace them. That’s great! But others may not like their appearance and strive to get rid of them. Doing so can result in greater comfort with how they look, potentially bolstering self-esteem. Whatever your relationship with stretch marks, read on to learn what causes them, who is at risk, and (if you choose to) how to treat them.
“Stretch marks can occur when the skin stretches out so rapidly that the collagen and elastin, essential proteins that provide strength and elasticity to the skin, break,” says Susan Massick, MD, a dermatologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Westerville. Common risk factors for stretch marks include:
PregnancyGrowth spurts during pubertyRapid weight gain or lossBodybuilding or weight liftingSteroid useBreast enlargement surgery
“That’s true for both anabolic steroids used by bodybuilders and weight lifters and prescription steroids when used to treat medical issues, such as in connective tissue disease and certain arthritis conditions,” Dr. Massick says. Repeated use of steroids can cause a thinning of the skin, which can lead to stretch marks, notes Amy Kassouf, MD, a Cleveland Clinic dermatologist in Twinsburg, Ohio.
“With any of the treatments available, none of them are a slam dunk,” Kassouf says. Still, if you wish to minimize the appearance of stretch marks, you might want to try the following options.
Prescription Retinoid Cream
Yet Kassouf warns that the effects may be too minimal for the naked eye to even notice. Tretinoin can cause pain, irritation, and dryness, so be sure to communicate with your dermatologist if you experience any side effects while using this treatment.
Microneedling
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Vascular Laser Treatment
“When it comes to cosmetic treatments and other interventions, the goal is to underpromise and overdeliver,” Massick says. “In home remedies, over-the-counter options, and other remedies touted on social media, the vast majority tend to overpromise and underdeliver.” Ultimately, if you see an expensive lotion, cream, or gel that’s being marketed as a cure-all for stretch marks and it seems too good to be true, that’s probably because it is. “Save your money and don’t invest your time or attention into home remedies that can’t increase collagen or repair ruptured elastin in your skin no matter what they promise,” Massick says. Still, Kassouf recommends hydrating your skin with moisturizer every day — especially during pregnancy — to help make the skin more flexible to stretch. “Think of it like Play-Doh,” she says. “When it’s new and it’s hydrated, it’s more pliable and easy to stretch. But when it’s dried out, it’s not as flexible and begins to crack. It’s kind of the same concept.” Kassouf notes that in many cases, particularly when skin stretches rapidly, moisturizing will likely not prevent stretch marks. But there’s reason to believe it may provide some benefit. “Technically, striae are atrophic scars due to disruption and damage to the connective tissue in the skin,” Kassouf says. “We often use emollients [moisturizing treatments] to help with wound healing, allowing better movement of epidermal cells over the wound base. If we think of the stretch marks as wounds to the skin, then potentially the emollients can help at least some of the healing mechanisms to keep up.” Because rapid weight gain and weight loss can cause stretch marks, aim to maintain a healthy diet and get regular exercise to prevent rapid weight fluctuations. If you’ve been prescribed topical steroids, use them only intermittently, and in general avoid long-term or continuous use, Massick says. “If you’ve been prescribed systemic steroids for a medical condition, the goal will be to remain on the lowest dosage possible and wean off if appropriate as soon as possible,” she says. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about the medications you’re taking and their possible side effects. Finally, if you’re using anabolic steroids to build muscle, stop taking them. “They are not a healthy way to build muscle,” Massick says. Fortunately, stretch marks tend to fade with time and turn white or closer to the color of your skin tone. “They will get less noticeable over time,” Kassouf says. If your stretch marks make you uncomfortable, especially early on when they are red, she recommends covering them up with clothing. For example, try wearing a sun shirt or light sun pants at the beach or pool. In some instances, Massick suggests it may be helpful to reframe the way you think about your stretch marks. “If these are pregnancy-related stretch marks, view them proudly as a badge of honor for motherhood,” she says. Ultimately, while it may be challenging at times, try not to put too much stock into your stretch marks. “Remember that stretch marks may be more noticeable to you personally than to those around you,” Massick says.
