Stretch Mark Treatment – Prevention, Causes and treatments
Last updated: 2026-06-25
Stretch marks are one of the most common skin features there is — most adults have them somewhere, and they're nothing to be ashamed of. They're a record of your body growing and changing. But if you'd like to soften how they look, it helps to understand what they actually are and what genuinely makes a difference.
What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks, or striae, are a form of scarring that happens in the dermis (the deeper layer of skin) when it's stretched too quickly and the collagen and elastin fibres tear. New marks (striae rubra) look red, pink or purple; over time they fade to pale, slightly sunken silvery lines (striae alba). They commonly appear on the stomach, thighs, hips, breasts and arms. Per the American Academy of Dermatology, they're harmless and very widespread.
What causes them?
Anything that stretches skin rapidly: pregnancy, puberty growth spurts, rapid weight gain or loss, and fast muscle gain. Hormones play a role too (higher cortisol weakens skin's collagen), which is why conditions like Cushing's syndrome, and genetic connective-tissue conditions such as Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos, increase the tendency. Genetics largely decide how prone you are — so they're not a sign of poor health or "doing something wrong."
Busting the common myths
- "Only women get them." False — men, women and teenagers all get stretch marks.
- "Only larger bodies get them." False — it's about the rate of skin stretch, not body size; very lean and athletic people get them too.
- "A cream will make them vanish." No cream fully erases stretch marks — but the right care can genuinely fade their appearance, especially early on.
What actually helps
- Act early. Red/purple marks (striae rubra) respond far better than old white ones, so the best window is when they're new.
- Moisturise and massage daily. Keeping skin supple and massaging the area improves comfort and helps work in a conditioning product; rich emollients like shea and cocoa butter are popular for this.
- Prescription retinoids (e.g. tretinoin) have evidence for improving the look of early stretch marks by boosting collagen — but they're not for use in pregnancy, so check with a doctor.
- In-clinic options for established marks: fractional laser, microneedling and radiofrequency can improve colour and texture over several sessions.
- Conditioning botanical lipids. Plant lipids studied for the look of scars and skin renewal — tamanu, rosehip seed and helichrysum — sit in the gentle, daily-care tier.
📋 Please note: The product below is a cosmetic concentrate intended to support the appearance of skin and stretch marks. It is not a medicine and does not remove stretch marks.
Where does ScarDerma Pro fit in?
ScarDerma Pro sits in that daily conditioning tier: a 100% water-free lipid concentrate built around immortelle helichrysum, rosehip seed, tamanu and pomegranate seed, with soothing camellia, hemp seed and calendula. Because it's anhydrous, it's designed to absorb into the surface layers and condition the skin rather than sit on top. As a cosmetic, it aims to support the look of smoother, more even stretch marks over time — most useful applied consistently to newer marks, and alongside massage. It's rated 5.0/5 from 62 reviews with a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Learn to love your skin
It's worth saying plainly: stretch marks are normal, and they fade and flatten on their own over time for most people. Improving their appearance is a perfectly reasonable goal — but so is simply accepting them as part of your body's story. Either way, you're in very good company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stretch marks be completely removed?
No method fully removes them, but their appearance can be improved — especially with early treatment of new red/purple marks. Older white marks are harder to change and usually respond best to in-clinic laser or microneedling.
What helps stretch marks fade fastest?
Treating them early, daily moisturising and massage, prescription retinoids on new marks (not in pregnancy), and conditioning botanical lipids. For established marks, fractional laser or microneedling does the most.
Are stretch marks a sign of poor health?
No — they're a normal result of skin stretching quickly, strongly influenced by genetics and hormones, and affect people of every body type.
Do creams and lipids really work on stretch marks?
They can improve the look and condition of the skin, particularly on newer marks and with consistent use, but they won't erase a stretch mark. Set expectations toward "fade and soften," not "remove."