<p>Stretch marks are normal, period. </p> <p>Their prevalence in pregnancy is between 43% and 88%, and they’re also a common side effect of obesity, puberty, and basically anything that causes your skin to rapidly stretch, which breaks down elastin and collagen and produces scar tissue in its place. They frequently show up on spots like your stomach, breasts, hips, butt, and thighs.</p> <p>Although more common in women, men can also develop stretch marks. They’re more prominent in dark-skinned individuals. </p> <p>Stretch marks are hardly alien, but they sure are a sore topic for many. You can find a million magazine covers or online articles proclaiming to have the miracle cure for what some consider to be unsightly blemishes and damaging to self-confidence. Equally, you can find an emerging narrative based on body positivity that tells us to brush off the obsession with “perfection”.</p> <p>There is no right or wrong answer as it comes down to how you feel about them. Nobody should be shamed for them, but if you would prefer to minimize them, that’s okay too. </p> <p>Stretch marks are harmless to your health and never fully go away, but they may fade over time or with the help of certain treatments. The catch is that there are a lot of creams, ointments, and whatnot out there with sketchy claims about how well they work. </p> <p>To avoid wasting time or money on treatments that don’t work, below is a list of the main anti-stretch treatment options and the evidence behind them.</p> <figure><img alt height="426" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/pqDX6yhPqa/thumbnail.jpg" width="640" /> <figcaption>Slight Stretch Marks <em>Source: Sora Shimazaki</em></figcaption> </figure> <h2>Stretch mark treatments</h2> <p>It may not be the answer you want to hear, but treating stretch marks is difficult: we’ve had success at improving their appearance but not so much at eradicating them. Addressing stretch marks when they first appear delivers the best results as the more mature ones are harder to treat.</p> <h3>Creams, lotions, and gels </h3> <p>Manufacturers often claim that topical products like these can prevent or eliminate stretch marks.</p> <p>The authors of a 2022 review on stretch marks warned that these treatments have been featured in clinical trials of low quality with small numbers of subjects. Multiple comprehensive reviews have been published that failed to find strong evidence of efficacy. </p> <p><strong>Emollients and over-the-counter cosmeceuticals </strong>are geared toward pregnant women trying to prevent or reduce the severity of stretch marks. The evidence of a benefit remains nebulous, yet the costs and effort are considerable.</p> <p><strong>Tretinoin </strong>is a synthetic retinoid derived from vitamin A that may make stretch marks less noticeable. The theory is that it can rebuild collagen so that stretch marks appear more like normal skin, but skeptics say the results may be too minimal for the naked eye to notice. Tretinoin may cause irritation, peeling, or redness. </p> <p>A 2015 study in a European dermatology journal found that prescription-strength tretinoin may boost the appearance of stretch marks that are under a few months old.</p> <p><strong>Silicone gels. </strong>The 2022 review notes the recommended use of silicone gels in atrophic scars (scars with an indented appearance that occur when skin cannot regenerate tissue properly). The authors did note, however, that published results are “difficult to interpret.”</p> <p>A separate review of stretch mark treatments out of Switzerland also supported the use of silicone gels. They cited a product containing <em>Centella asiatica</em> extract which “…demonstrated significant improvements in skin elasticity and a 60% reduction in the existence of stretch marks.”</p> <h3>Home remedies</h3> <p>These are a no-go according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), as research has failed to find a use for almond oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, or vitamin E in treating stretch marks.</p> <h3>Recommendations for usage</h3> <p>If you want to try a cream, lotion, or gel to fade those stretch marks, the AAD recommends that you:</p> <ul> <li>Use the product early before the stretch marks mature as treatment has a poor effect on mature ones.</li> <li>Take the time to gently massage the product into the target area to maximize efficacy. </li> <li>Apply it daily for several weeks. It will take time for results to appear.</li> </ul> <h3>Physical treatments</h3> <p>Physical treatments also have limited evidence to support their use.</p> <p><strong>Light and laser therapies </strong>have been shown to improve the appearance of stretch marks. For example, pulsed dye laser therapy targets vascular chromophores and may reduce redness and swelling. </p> <p>Fractional lasers appear to boost collagen and elastin and may also induce repigmentation in stretch marks. A 2012 study concluded that fractional lasers are “…an effective and safe method for treatment” for certain types of stretch marks. </p> <p><strong>Radiofrequency</strong> <strong>energy devices</strong> use radio wave energy to generate heat and promote collagen creation. A small study reported that this treatment modality is safe and may improve stretch marks, but a lot more research is needed. Exposing stretch marks to <strong>ultraviolet radiation </strong>has been found to elicit repigmentation, but the benefits may only be temporary.</p> <p><strong>Microneedling </strong>involves poking your skin with thin needles to stimulate fresh collagen and elastin growth, which creates firmer skin. Side effects include irritation, discoloration, swelling, and flaky skin. </p> <figure><img alt height="426" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/4AwL0juroz/thumbnail.jpg" width="640" /> <figcaption>Microneedling <em>Source: misspokallo/Pixabay</em></figcaption> </figure> <h2>Final thoughts</h2> <p>Stretch marks tend to fade with time (6 to 12 months) so it’s not absolutely necessary that you pursue treatment. The above list is not exhaustive but covers many of the most popular treatments being explored, and the bottom line is that there is no silver bullet as of yet. </p> <p>As a preventative measure, maintaining good health through proper diet, hydration, and exercise helps your skin to stay soft and increases circulation and collagen production. Keeping your weight in check during pregnancy will do wonders to prevent the development of stretch marks in the first place — talk to your doctor about working toward a more steady and controlled level of weight gain during pregnancy.</p> <h2>More on Stretch Marks</h2><ul><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/jk8p59qtbj-stretch-marks" target="_blank">Stretch Marks: Causes, Treatment, Prevention</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/j5p65g6inm-changes-to-a-mother-during-pregnancy" target="_blank">Changes to a Mother During Pregnancy</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/wzvyxq9slj-maternal-changes-during-pregnancy-labor-and-birth" target="_blank">Maternal Changes During Pregnancy, Labor, and Birth</a></li></ul>