Stretch marks: why they happen (pregnancy, puberty, weight change), what creams can and cannot do, lasers and microneedling, costs and when to see a doctor.
Key takeaways
- Stretch marks are scars from skin stretching or shrinking quickly: puberty, pregnancy, rapid weight change and fast muscle growth are the usual triggers.[1]
- 50% to 90% of pregnant women get stretch marks, and no cream or oil has high-quality evidence for preventing them.[3]
- Prescription tretinoin can make early marks less noticeable, but retinoids should not be used during pregnancy.[5]
- Lasers and microneedling can fade marks; new red or purple marks respond better than old white ones.[6]
- Stretch marks with no obvious cause, or with steroid use, are worth a doctor's check.[2]
In short: Stretch marks are a type of scar that forms when skin stretches or shrinks quickly, as it does in pregnancy, puberty, fast weight gain or loss and rapid muscle growth. They are permanent, but they usually fade over time, and treatment can make them less noticeable, especially while they are still new and red or purple. Creams and oils have not been shown to prevent them; a prescription retinoid and in-office procedures have the best evidence for fading them.
Stretch marks are one of the most common skin changes there are, and they are a sign that your body grew, carried a baby or changed, not that you did anything wrong. This guide explains why they happen, what the research says about creams, lasers and microneedling, what results and costs to expect, and when it is worth seeing a dermatologist or doctor. It is general information, not medical advice. For more on appearance after weight change, visit our Shape and look better hub.
Start here: do these next 1-2-3
- Check the colorNew marks are red, pink or purple; older ones are white or silvery and sunken. Treatments work better on new marks, so if yours are fresh and bother you, this is the best time to ask about options.
- Save your money on “miracle” oilsIn studies, almond oil, cocoa butter, olive oil and vitamin E did not fade stretch marks. Moisturizer can still help itchy, stretching skin feel more comfortable.
- Talk to a dermatologist about what fits youA prescription cream may help early marks, and procedures such as laser or microneedling can help older ones. If marks appear without an obvious reason, see a doctor first.
What stretch marks are and why they happen
Your skin is held together by support fibers called collagen and elastin. When skin stretches or shrinks quickly, these fibers can tear in the middle layer of the skin, and the body repairs the damage with a scar. That scar is a stretch mark; doctors call them striae. They most often appear on the belly, breasts, hips, thighs, buttocks and the sides of the body.
Stretch marks change over time. Early marks (sometimes called striae rubra) are red, pink or purple, can feel slightly raised and may itch. Over months they fade and sink below the surface, becoming pale, narrow and slightly wrinkled (striae alba). This matters for treatment, because new marks respond better than old ones.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), you are most likely to get stretch marks during:
- growth spurts in puberty;
- pregnancy;
- rapid weight gain or weight loss;
- weight training with fast muscle growth.
Changing hormone levels seem to play a part, and you are more likely to get them if they run in your family. Some medical causes matter too: long-term or heavy use of corticosteroid creams, and conditions such as Cushing syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, can cause stretch marks. That is why marks that appear without an obvious reason like pregnancy or weight gain deserve a check with a doctor.
Weight change and pregnancy
Weight change. Both gaining and losing weight quickly can leave marks, because the skin has to adapt faster than its support fibers can. A steady pace is kinder to your skin as well as easier to keep up; our guide to losing weight fast explains why a slower pace usually lasts better, and our how to lose weight hub covers the approaches with the best evidence. Stretch marks are different from loose skin, though they can show up together after a large loss: our loose skin guide covers that side. If you are building muscle fast, for example during strength training, marks can appear over the shoulders, arms and thighs; they are a sign of growth, not harm.
Pregnancy. Between 50% and 90% of pregnant women develop stretch marks, most often on the belly, breasts and thighs. Many products promise to prevent them, but a Cochrane review of six trials with 800 women found no high-quality evidence that any cream, oil or lotion prevents stretch marks in pregnancy. A wider review reached the same conclusion for prevention in general. Moisturizing is fine for comfort, but you do not need expensive products. Retinoids, including prescription tretinoin, should not be used during pregnancy, so treatment usually waits until after the baby arrives; ask your clinician what is safe while breastfeeding. Our postpartum weight loss guide covers a realistic timeline for the months after birth.
Stretch marks in pregnancy
- 50-90%of pregnant women develop stretch marksCochrane review, Brennan et al. 2012
- 6 trials, 800 womenreviewed: no high-quality evidence that any cream, oil or lotion prevents themCochrane review, Brennan et al. 2012
Checked on October 6, 2026
Creams and topicals: what the evidence shows
| Product | What research shows | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tretinoin (prescription retinoid) | May make early marks less noticeable. In a small randomized trial, nightly 0.1% tretinoin for 6 months improved early marks in 8 of 10 people, compared with 1 of 12 using a plain cream. | Prescription only; can irritate skin; not for use in pregnancy. Less useful for old, white marks. |
| Hyaluronic acid | The AAD says studies suggest it can help newer stretch marks. | Sold in many products; evidence is for early marks. |
| Almond oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, vitamin E | Did not fade stretch marks in studies. | Fine as moisturizers for comfort. |
| “Prevention” creams in pregnancy | No high-quality evidence that they prevent marks. | Price is not a sign that a product works. |
| Self-tanner | Does not treat marks but can blend their color with the skin around them. | Sun tanning does the opposite: it makes marks more visible. |
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Tretinoin 0.1% nightly (8 of 10) | 80% |
| Plain cream (1 of 12) | 8% |
A small randomized trial of 22 people with early marks. Prescription only, and not for use in pregnancy.
Source: Kang S et al., Archives of Dermatology 1996 (checked on October 6, 2026)
Laser, microneedling and other procedures
Dermatologists use several in-office treatments to make stretch marks less noticeable. The AAD lists laser therapy, microneedling, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, radiofrequency and ultrasound. None erases a mark, and most need a series of sessions.
- Lasers and light. Different lasers target different stages: some calm the redness of new marks, others encourage new collagen in older ones. A research review found that fractional lasers gave the strongest results for white marks and that new, red marks responded better than old ones overall. Ask how much experience the clinic has with your skin tone.
- Microneedling. Tiny needles make controlled injuries that prompt the skin to make collagen. The AAD says it can help fade stretch marks, that in-office treatment gives more noticeable and longer-lasting improvement than at-home rollers, and that at-home devices can irritate skin and, if they break the skin, risk infection or scarring. Redness and swelling for a few days to a week are common. It is not recommended if you heal poorly, form keloid scars, have a weakened immune system or an active skin infection.
- Radiofrequency and ultrasound. Energy-based devices that work on the deeper skin; the AAD lists both among the procedures dermatologists use for stretch marks.
- Chemical peels and microdermabrasion. Treatments that work on the outer layers of the skin; the AAD lists both as options a dermatologist may use.
- Surgery. Surgery for stretch marks alone is rarely considered. Skin-removal operations take away whatever marks are on the skin removed, but they are major operations done for other reasons; see our tummy tuck guide.
What to expect, and what it costs
Expect improvement, not disappearance. Even without treatment, marks usually fade from red to pale over time, and many people find that is enough. With treatment, new marks tend to become less red and less visible; older marks may become smoother and closer in color to the surrounding skin. It can take months to see results from a cream, and several sessions spaced weeks apart for procedures.
Prices vary widely by procedure, the size of the area, the number of sessions and where you live, so we do not quote a single figure here. Ask the clinic for the total price of the full course, including any follow-up sessions, and check with your insurer before assuming anything is covered, since stretch mark treatment is generally done for appearance. Our costs hub collects dated prices as we verify them. The AAD notes that if store products have been expensive and have not worked, a dermatologist can suggest options with better results.
When to see a dermatologist or doctor
- See a doctor if stretch marks appear without a clear reason such as pregnancy, puberty or weight change, or if you use corticosteroid creams or tablets. These can point to a condition worth checking.
- See a board-certified dermatologist if your marks bother you and you want treatment, especially while they are still red or purple, or if you want advice on which procedures suit your skin type and tone.
Our find a provider page explains how to check a clinician’s credentials. For related skin and shape questions, see our cellulite guide and our guide to skin tightening. And if stretch marks are affecting how you feel about your body, our guide to body image and confidence is a kind place to start: these marks are common, they fade, and they are part of many bodies’ stories.
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- Are my stretch marks typical, or could a medication or medical condition be causing them?
- Would a prescription cream help my marks, and is it safe if I am pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy?
- Which procedure suits my marks and my skin tone, and what side effects should I expect?
- How many sessions will I need, what results are realistic, and what will the full course cost?
- Is an at-home device worth trying, or could it irritate or damage my skin?
Frequently asked questions
Do stretch marks go away?
They are permanent scars, but they usually fade over time from red or purple to pale and less noticeable. Treatment can make them less visible, especially when they are new.
Can you prevent stretch marks during pregnancy?
No product has been shown to prevent them. A Cochrane review of six trials found no high-quality evidence that creams, oils or lotions prevent stretch marks in pregnancy. Moisturizing can help itchy skin feel more comfortable.
What is the best treatment for stretch marks?
It depends on how old they are and on your skin. Prescription tretinoin and hyaluronic acid have evidence for early marks; lasers, microneedling and other in-office procedures can help both early and older marks. A board-certified dermatologist can suggest what fits you.
Does losing weight cause stretch marks?
Rapid weight loss, like rapid weight gain, can cause them, because the skin changes faster than its support fibers can adapt. A steady pace is gentler on the skin.
Do men get stretch marks?
Yes. Puberty growth spurts, weight gain and fast muscle growth from weight training are common causes in men.
References
- Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them. American Academy of Dermatology. (accessed October 6, 2026) Society statement
- Striae. MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. (accessed October 6, 2026) Government page
- Brennan M, Young G, Devane D. Topical preparations for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000066.pub2 · PMID 23152199 (accessed October 6, 2026) Meta-analysis
- Al-Himdani S, Ud-Din S, Gilmore S, Bayat A. Striae distensae: a comprehensive review and evidence-based evaluation of prophylaxis and treatment. British Journal of Dermatology, 2014. doi:10.1111/bjd.12681 · PMID 24125059 (accessed October 6, 2026) Review
- Kang S, Kim KJ, Griffiths CE, et al.. Topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) improves early stretch marks. Archives of Dermatology, 1996. doi:10.1001/archderm.1996.03890290053007 · PMID 8624148 (accessed October 6, 2026) Randomized trial
- Aldahan AS, Shah VV, Mlacker S, et al.. Laser and Light Treatments for Striae Distensae: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2016. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0182-8 · PMID 26923916 (accessed October 6, 2026) Review
- Microneedling can fade scars, uneven skin tone, and more. American Academy of Dermatology. (accessed October 6, 2026) Society statement
- Retinoid or retinol?. American Academy of Dermatology. (accessed October 6, 2026) Society statement
Facts checked on October 6, 2026
Educational information, not medical advice. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about your own situation. In an emergency call 911.