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Read articleStretch Marks Treatment: What Really Works?
Stretch marks are lines that form when the skin stretches faster than it can adapt, as in pregnancy, puberty, weight gain or rapid muscle building. They are harmless and fade on their own over time in many people. Available treatments improve their colour and texture to varying degrees, and work best when started while the marks are still red or pink, but no treatment is guaranteed to remove them completely.
Why do stretch marks appear?
Beneath the skin's surface is a layer rich in collagen and elastin fibres that keeps it supple. When the skin stretches quickly, these fibres tear, leaving lines that start red, pink or purple and sometimes slightly raised, then gradually fade to pale or silvery lines that sit slightly below the skin surface.
Common causes include:
- Pregnancy, especially in the last months, on the abdomen, breasts and thighs.
- Growth spurts during puberty in boys and girls.
- Rapid weight gain or rapid weight loss.
- Fast muscle building at the gym, especially on the shoulders, arms and chest.
- Long-term use of strong steroid creams, oral steroids, or certain hormonal conditions.
Do stretch marks go away on their own?
They usually do not disappear completely, but most people see them improve a lot with time: the redness fades over months to years and the marks become less noticeable. New red marks respond to treatment much better than old white ones.
So if your marks bother you, it is better to see a dermatologist early rather than waiting until they turn white. Still, treatment is not a medical necessity, and the decision is yours.
Which treatments have scientific evidence?
No single treatment suits everyone. The doctor chooses based on the age and colour of the marks and your skin type. Options include:
These treatments usually need several sessions weeks apart, and improvement is gradual over months. People with darker skin need carefully chosen settings, because some lasers can cause temporary pigmentation.
- Topical retinoids such as tretinoin: prescription only, may improve new marks, and must not be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Hyaluronic acid creams: may help new marks with regular use, with modest benefit.
- Microneedling: tiny punctures that stimulate collagen and help improve texture.
- Fractional laser: improves the texture of both old and new marks to varying degrees.
- Pulsed dye laser: targets the redness of new marks.
- Chemical peels: limited role, and may only improve the surface of the skin.
Do creams and oils prevent stretch marks in pregnancy?
Many creams and oils claim to prevent pregnancy stretch marks, but the evidence that they can prevent them is weak, because genetics, skin type and the speed of stretching play the biggest role. Even so, moisturising the belly regularly eases the itching and dryness common in pregnancy, especially with air-conditioning dryness.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, choose simple moisturisers, avoid any product containing retinoids, and ask your doctor before any treatment. Laser and microneedling are usually postponed until after delivery and breastfeeding, as your doctor advises.
How can you reduce the chance of new marks?
Stretch marks cannot always be prevented, but some habits reduce the chance or severity: keep your weight steady and avoid crash diets that cause rapid loss and regain, increase gym loads gradually rather than chasing sudden muscle size, and avoid hormonal performance enhancers.
Do not use strong steroid creams on large areas or for long periods without medical supervision, as they are a known cause of thinning skin and stretch marks.
Frequently asked questions
Does laser remove stretch marks completely?
Laser improves colour and texture to a degree that varies between people, but it does not restore the skin fully. The realistic goal is for the marks to become less noticeable.
Do men get stretch marks?
Yes, men get them in puberty, with weight gain and with rapid muscle building, especially on the shoulders, arms and back, and their treatment options are the same as women's.
Do cocoa butter and olive oil help?
Studies have not shown that they prevent or remove stretch marks, though they may moisturise the skin. They are usually harmless to use unless they cause irritation.
When are stretch marks a sign of a health problem?
If wide purple marks appear quickly without an obvious reason such as pregnancy or weight gain, especially with other symptoms like weight gain in the face and abdomen or muscle weakness, they need a medical assessment.
When to see a doctor
See a dermatologist if wide purple stretch marks appear suddenly without a clear reason, or with other symptoms such as tiredness, high blood pressure or changes in body shape, if they appeared after using steroid creams, or if they affect your confidence and you want to know the options for your skin. You can book a consultation at Medical Care Clinics in Al-Shati Al-Gharbi, Dammam, close to Al-Khobar and Dhahran, where our dermatology team will assess the marks and explain honestly what can be improved.
This article is general health education and does not replace a medical examination. Every case needs its own assessment by a doctor.
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