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What Is the Fastest Way to Get Rid of Stretch Marks?

Close up of stretch marks on stomach
There is no treatment that can get rid of stretch marks immediately. Using self-tanners is one way to camouflage stretch marks quickly and temporarily, but do not actually get rid of them.

Stretch marks (striae) are a common form of skin scarring that appear on the skin as red, purple, or light-colored lines that commonly appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks, arms, back, and shoulders. Stretch marks are harmless but can be upsetting for patients who are unhappy with their appearance. 

There are two main types of stretch marks: 

  • Striae rubra, which are red or purple in color
  • Striae alba, which are white to silver in color

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are a cosmetic problem and do not cause other symptoms so treatment is not needed unless patients wish to improve the appearance of the affected skin. Stretch marks never really go away, but they may fade over time and their appearance may be reduced with treatment. 

Treatment of pregnant patients is usually delayed until after delivery because of concerns over the effects of treatments on the fetus. 

There is no “fast” treatment to get rid of stretch marks, however, self-tanners may help camouflage stretch marks quickly and temporarily, though they do not help actually get rid of them. 

Medical treatment for stretch marks includes: 

  • Pulsed dye laser therapy 
    • May take two to four treatments spaced out over several weeks
  • Topical retinoids such as tretinoin or retinol
    • Must be used daily for about six months 
    • Not as effective for striae alba as for striae rubra
  • Hyaluronic acid
    • May take about 12 weeks to see results
  • Fractional laser therapy 
    • Can take three to five sessions, six weeks apart
  • Microneedling 
    • May be combined with the delivery of radiofrequency energy (RF microneedling) 
    • Patients may start to see some results over three to four weeks 
  • Chemical peel
    • Works gradually and patients may need a peel every month for several months
  • Microdermabrasion
    • It may take up to 10 sessions to get results
  • Ultrasound combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
    • May take several sessions, two weeks apart, and results may not be seen until about two months following the last treatment

More than one procedure may be performed at the same time. 

Other treatments that may improve the appearance of stretch marks have limited evidence for their effectiveness and include: 

  • Superficial dermabrasion
  • Phototherapy
  • Intense pulsed light (IPL)
  • Infrared laser
  • Other treatments: further study is needed to determine the effectiveness of these regimens
    • 20% glycolic acid, topical silicone or non-silicone gels applied with massage
    • Sand abrasion and trichloroacetic acid
    • Succinylated atelocollagen
    • Products containing onion extract and Centella asiatica 
  • Home remedies: these products may soften skin but there is no evidence they help prevent or treat stretch marks
    • Vitamin E oil
    • Shea butter
    • Cocoa butter
    • Olive oil

What Causes Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks usually occur on parts of the body that grow rapidly, such as stretch marks that commonly appear on a woman’s abdomen or breasts when she is pregnant (striae gravidarum). 

Risk factors for developing stretch marks during pregnancy include: 

  • A family history of striae gravidarum 
  • Higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) 
  • Higher weight gain during pregnancy 
  • Higher birth weight and gestational age 
  • Multiple gestation pregnancies
  • Excessive amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios)

Aside from pregnancy, other causes of stretch marks include: 

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References
Image Source: iStock Images

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/striae-distensae-stretch-marks?search=stretch%20marks&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~140&usage_type=default&display_rank=1

https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/scars-stretch-marks/stretch-marks-why-appear

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8624657/

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/14764172.2012.738916