How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks (Striae): Home Treatments and Pictures

Stretch marks are linear scars in the skin. And there’s a lot of historical documentation that proves they’ve been around for a long time. As far back as 16 B.C., there are reports of people taking steps to improve the appearance of stretch marks, including making natural remedies with olive oil, salt, and frankincense. 

Many people find their stretch marks distressing, but they’re not anything to worry about beyond their physical appearance. While there are many ways to treat stretch marks, there’s no cure. Let’s take a closer look at what the scientific evidence says about how to prevent and treat stretch marks, so you’ll know how to get rid of them — or at least lessen their appearance. 

What causes stretch marks?

The science isn’t clear on why stretch marks happen. It’s likely due to a combination of factors, including your genes and a sudden weight gain or loss, which causes rupture of collagen and elastin (the support structure in the skin). You’re also more likely to develop stretch marks in certain situations, including:

• Pregnancy (especially if you’re younger than 30 or gain more than average weight)

• Puberty growth spurts

• Rapid weight gain or muscle growth (which can happen with weight training)

• Use of steroid cream over a long period of time

• Being female

Types of stretch marks

The medical name for stretch marks is striae distensae, which loosely translates to “stretch lines.” There are other names, depending on how recent the stretch marks are or when they developed. Let’s look at what these terms mean and some pictures of what stretch marks look like.  

Striae rubrae

Striae rubrae is the medical name for newly developed stretch marks. It means “red lines,” but the color actually depends on your skin tone. New stretch marks can be red, brown, or purple. Stretch marks may feel raised and itchy at first. You might even feel itching before you notice a change in the appearance of your skin. 

Striae alba

Striae alba, loosely translated as “white lines,” are older stretch marks. This is because as stretch marks heal in light skin tones, they fade to a silvery white. In darker skin tones, striae alba may look dark gray, black, or even bluish. 

Stretch marks change in color from new to old over months to years. The scars may also shrink, which makes the stretch marks sink and appear wrinkled. Old stretch marks may look like shallow, linear pits in the skin. They can become more noticeable with age as skin loses its elasticity. 

Striae gravidarum

Striae gravidarum is the specific term for stretch marks of pregnancy. They typically follow the same patterns as other stretch marks. They start out darker, raised, and/or itchy. And they eventually fade with time. Striae gravidarum typically start in the second and third trimesters. They’re common on the abdomen, breast, and thighs.  

Where on the body do stretch marks mostly occur?

Stretch marks can happen anywhere on the body. They commonly develop symmetrically (on both sides of the body) in these areas:  

• Buttocks

• Insides of upper arms

• Stomach

• Thighs

• Breasts

• Lower back

Are stretch marks bad?

Stretch marks can be uncomfortable and itchy at first, but they’re not physically harmful. They don’t cause any other medical conditions, but they might cause cosmetic concerns and distress to people who have them. This emotional stress can lead to a lower quality of life, so it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional if your stretch marks bother you. 

In rare cases stretch marks can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as:

• Cushing’s syndrome, 

• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

• Chronic liver disease

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How do you get rid of stretch marks?

Stretch marks may fade with time, but they usually don’t go away completely. Still, research shows that many people try to prevent or lessen the appearance of stretch marks. The most common treatments people use are creams, gels, and oils. For the best possible results, it’s important to be patient and apply the products daily for at least several weeks. 

Even with prescription treatments and cosmetic procedures, results vary and are hard to predict. And like with any prescription treatment or procedure, there’s also a risk of side effects. Many prescription treatments that help stretch marks fade may not be safe for pregnancy. In this case, you should opt for treatment after pregnancy has ended. 

If you can’t prevent stretch marks and cosmetic treatment isn’t for you, you could try to camouflage stretch marks with self tanner. A product like this can darken stretch marks and camouflage them in the way that makeup can on your face. But it won’t cause the stretch marks to go away. 

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Home remedies and over-the-counter treatments for stretch marks

There aren’t well-designed studies on most of the available over-the-counter (OTC) products for stretch marks. But there has been some research showing benefits with the following topical medications:

• Centella asiatica (a plant extract in products like Trofolastin)

• Hyaluronic acid (like Alphastria cream)

• Cocoa butter

• Olive oil

• Silicone gel

• Almond oil

• Vitamin E

• Bio-oil (an oil with vitamins and plant extracts)

But the studies on these products show varied results. So although OTC treatments are generally safe to use in pregnancy, there’s no definitive scientific evidence to show that they make much difference. 

For instance, moisturizing creams, such as those with cocoa butter or shea butter, have been used for decades. But there’s no strong evidence to prove that these help. In fact, it might just be the extra moisture and the act of massaging the product into the skin that actually helps. Extra moisture can help the skin remain more elastic instead of stretching too thin. This might help decrease the chance of getting stretch marks — or lessen the appearance of them. Whatever you decide to use, it’s probably best to start using safe products on early stretch marks (striae rubrae), rather than later stretch marks (striae alba). You have more of a chance of lessening the appearance of striae rubrae than if you wait to treat stretch marks that have been there for a while.

Tretinoin (Retin-A)

Tretinoin is a prescription retinoid cream that helps increase collagen production in the skin. A few small studies have shown that tretinoin may improve stretch marks by making them smaller and less noticeable. This improvement happened with early treatment using higher-strength tretinoin. Keep in mind that tretinoin and other retinoids aren’t safe to use in pregnancy. You have to wait until after pregnancy ends to use them safely. 

Cosmetic procedures that treat stretch marks

Cosmetic treatment isn’t necessary, but if you want treatment, some studies show that certain procedures may help. To get the best results, a healthcare professional may combine different treatments. For example, they may use radiofrequency with tretinoin or a laser. Keep in mind that several treatments over the course of weeks or months are usually needed. And not everyone will see a big improvement. These treatments are also not covered by insurance. 

Some cosmetic procedures for stretch marks include:

• Chemical peels

• Radiofrequency 

• Lasers

• Ultrasound

• Microdermabrasion and microneedling

• Photorejuvenation

• Platelet-rich plasma

Tips for treating stretch marks

If you’re going to use creams or lotions to treat stretch marks, here are some tips to increase the likelihood of success:

• Treat early: Start the treatment as soon as stretch marks appear — older ones don’t respond as well. 

• Invest time: Spend some time massaging the cream into the skin. 

• Stay consistent: Apply products daily for at least several weeks in order to see results. 

Preventing stretch marks

Despite many treatments available and marketed especially at pregnant women, there’s no strong evidence that any of the following creams work to prevent or reduce stretch marks:

• ​​Alphastria 

• Trofolastin

• Verum

• Olive oil

• Cocoa butter

There’s also no evidence that “belly bands” prevent or improve stretch marks in pregnancy. The truth is, some people get mild stretch marks, some get severe stretch marks, and some get none at all. 

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Written by:

Melody B. Jones, NP

Melody Jones, NP, has over a decade of experience as a nurse practitioner. She works in a multi-specialty practice in Atlanta, Georgia, and is a part of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

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