How do you get rid of stretch marks at home

Hi, just want to remind you that stretch marks are totally, 100 percent normal, and are found on virtually all adults at some point (seriously, over 80 percent of Americans have ‘em). A stretch mark is a type of scar that’s formed when your skin stretches too quickly, and they usually appear around puberty, pregnancy, or rapid weight fluctuations. Still, it’s also okay if you find yourself Googling “how to get rid of stretch marks”—it’s your body and your preferences. But to keep you from spending money on random stretch mark creams or stretch mark oils that may not work, I chatted with board-certified dermatologists Luigi L. Polla, MD; Arash Akhavan, MD; Hadley King, MD; and Morgan Rabach, MD, about the best (and worst) stretch-mark removal treatments to try.

But before we break it all down, take a peek at a few of the top treatments to get rid of stretch marks, including options that can be done at home or in your doctor’s office:

Our top picks for the best stretch mark removal treatments in 2022:

• 1

  

  Try retinoids for at-home stretch mark removal

  Differin Adapalene Gel

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• 2

  

  Get a tretinoin prescription

  Apostrophe Tretinoin Prescription

  Read More

• 3

  

  Switch to a retinol body lotion

  Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion

  Read More

• 4

  

  Dermaroll at home for stretch marks

  Ora Microneedle Face Full Body Roller Kit

  Read More

• 5

  

  Self-tan to disguise stretch marks

  Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Body Mousse

  Read More

Now keep reading for the best stretch mark removal treatments dermatologists actually recommend. Then, I’ll get into all the information you need to know about how to get rid of stretch marks, what causes them, and if you can prevent stretch marks in the first place.

1

Try retinoids for at-home stretch mark removal

Differin Adapalene Gel

2

Get a tretinoin prescription

Apostrophe Tretinoin Prescription

3

Switch to a retinol body lotion

Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion

4

Get rid of stretch marks with laser treatments

Certain laser skin-tightening treatments, like the well-known Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant, deliver pulses of light energy into your skin to trick your cells into thinking they're injured, says Dr. Akhavan. This causes your body's natural healing process to kick in, triggering your cells to create new collagen in the area, which can eventually help lighten and smooth your stretch marks.

Though there are tons of laser-treatment options for stretch mark removal, Dr. Akhavan recommends the Icon 1540 Fractional Laser (an FDA-approved laser for the treatment of stretch marks) which has been shown to give a 50 to 75 percent improvement in stretch marks after a few sessions. Either way, if you’re considering a laser treatment, talk to your dermatologist to find out which laser will be best for your needs.

5

Try microneedling with radiofrequency

As a refresher, radiofrequency treatments trigger collagen production by penetrating the middle layers of your skin with heat. And when you pair that with microneedling (which also triggers a wound-healing response by creating tiny punctures in your skin), you’ve got a gold-star, collagen-boosting treatment that can smooth textured stretch marks and fade discoloration over time.

The two most common microneedling with RF treatments are Morpheus8 and Thermage, both of which involve “stamping” the top layers of the skin with tiny needles that emit radiofrequency. Each treatment will leave your skin inflamed for a few days to a week, but you’ll start to notice a plumper, healthier glow over time. Just note that you’ll need three to six sessions depending on how textured and old your stretch marks are (newer stretch marks are easier to remove).

6

Dermaroll at home for stretch marks

Ora Microneedle Face Full Body Roller Kit

7

Smooth skin with injectable collagen stimulators

If your stretch marks are raised, your doctor might recommend an injection that can stimulate collagen to thicken your skin and help smooth the bumpy texture. Two common injections include Radiesse and Sculptra which can soften crepiness and stretch marks, resulting in firmer skin. It’s important to note that these injections aren’t permanent, though. Radiesse lasts about a year, while Sculptra can last up to two years.

You’ll also need multiple rounds of treatment, and you likely won’t see a major difference for three to four months while your skin builds up the new collagen. But these treatments can be combined with lasers, microneedling, or microdermabrasion to improve both the texture and discoloration of your scars in a shorter period of time than, say, retinoids or topical creams in general.

8

Self-tan to disguise stretch marks

Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Body Mousse

9

Exfoliate skin with microdermabrasion

PMD Personal Microderm Pro

10

Soothe stretch marks with oil

Bio-Oil Body Oil

11

Keep your stretch marks moisturized

Keys Soulcare Rich Nourishing Body Cream

12

Cover your stretch marks with body makeup

Fenty Beauty Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint

What causes stretch marks?

“Stretch marks are caused when your skin stretches and elastin and collagen break, most commonly during periods of rapid weight fluctuations,” says Dr. Polla. This often occurs during growth spurts, pregnancy, puberty, weight gain, or increased muscle mass when your skin suddenly stretches and causes the collagen under your skin to tear away from each other, explains Dr. Akhavan. So when your skin stops growing, "it can look wrinkled and lined because it’s not supported by the same collagen structure underneath,” says Dr. Akhavan.

Can stretch marks be removed?

"It’s literally impossible to 100 percent remove your stretch marks," says Dr. Akhavan. But rebuilding the collagen in your skin can smooth and potentially fade your stretch marks. Everything on the list above can help reduce stretch marks, with lasers and microneedling being the most effective treatments. But if you want a full breakdown of the tried-and-true methods dermatologists actually swear by, keep reading.

How do dermatologists remove stretch marks?

Dermatologists offer two types of treatments to get rid of stretch marks: at-home treatments and in-office procedures. Your dermatologist will be able to decide which option is best for you, your goals, and your budget. But here’s a quick breakdown of what they might suggest:

At-home treatments to get rid of stretch marks:

• Prescription tretinoin
• Over-the-counter retinoids like adapalene or .1 percent retinol-based body lotions

Professional in-office treatments to get rid of stretch marks:

• Lasers, like the Icon 1540 fractional laser, IPL, PDL, and Fraxel
• Microneedling with radiofrequency, including Morpheus8 and Thermage
• Microdermabrasion
• Collagen-stimulating injections, such as Radiesse and Sculptra

Your doctor will also likely suggest a body skincare routine that includes moisturizing your skin twice a day with a rich body cream, as the more hydrated your skin is, the more elastic and resistant to stretching and scarring it’ll be.

How long does it take for stretch marks to fade?

Stretch marks can take anywhere from months to years to fade on their own, depending on their location, texture, and color. If your stretch marks appear dark pink, red, or purple at first, they will “take 12-18 months to fade to the much lighter white-ish color of an ‘old’ stretch mark,” says Dr. Polla. All that to say, some stretch marks will remain red/purple/brown and never fade to white or silver.

Also, if you do try one of the above stretch mark removal treatments, you won’t see results immediately, says Dr. Akhavan. Everything from professional procedures to at-home lotions will take at least three months to notice fading, though you can often expect even longer.

Does anything actually prevent stretch marks?

Because stretch marks can be genetic, and weight fluctuations are inevitable, there’s no way to completely prevent them. But the best plan of action is to moisturize your body twice a day with a cream or oil to strengthen your skin, making it more elastic to avoid stretching and tearing. Look for creams that contain oils with a small enough molecular size to improve your moisture levels, like almond oil, shea butter, and argan oil.

How to choose the best stretch mark removal treatment:

Talk to your dermatologist

Your dermatologist can help you determine whether you should opt for an in-office procedure, a prescription topical, or an at-home treatment, depending on what you’re hoping to achieve and the texture, color, and age of your stretch marks. Your doctor might also combine treatments, like a collagen stimulator injection with a laser treatment, or topical products used in between your laser appointments.

Consider your budget

Obviously, at-home stretch mark treatments will be a lot less expensive than three to six sessions of a professional laser or microneedling procedure. But when you’re choosing a stretch mark removal treatment, discuss with your doctor how much you’re willing to spend. An over-the-counter retinoid like adapalene or a retinol body lotion will cost less than a tretinoin prescription. If you’re looking for an in-office result without spending too much, you could try an at-home microdermabrasion tool or derma-roller.

In-office procedures will also vary in price, though. A microdermabrasion treatment averages $100 to $200 a session, while one microneedling with RF treatment can range from $250 to $1,000. And laser facials vary too, with Fraxel and CO2 lasers costing the most and IPL generally being the least expensive.

Choose products with proven ingredients

If you’re going the route of at-home treatments, skip the stretch mark removal creams and opt for a retinol-based gel or lotion instead, which can help smooth your skin and fade stretch marks over time. And, unlike creams and oils that require twice daily application (to see zero results), you only have to use a retinoid three times a week, which is a lot easier to maintain in the long run while you’re waiting for smoother, brighter skin.

Meet the experts:

• Luigi L. Polla, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of the Forever Institut in Geneva, SW. He is also the founder of the skincare brand Alchimie Forever, which he developed for patients to use post-procedures.
• Arash Akhavan, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York, NY and a faculty member at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. He specializes in non-invasive and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures as well as skin cancer prevention and treatment.
• Hadley King, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY, specializing in cosmetic and medical dermatology. She is also the clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. She was previously interviewed about stretch mark creams.
• Morgan Rabach, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of LM Medical in New York, NY. Dr. Rabach specializes in cosmetic dermatology and the elimination of acne scars. She was previously interviewed about microdermabrasion.

Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with four years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from tattoo-removal creams to blind pimples. She’s an authority in all skincare categories but is an expert when it comes to stretch mark removal, thanks to hours of research and interviews with the industry’s top dermatologists.

Siena Gagliano is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with two years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news, including cellulite creams and scalp acne. She based her stretch mark removal favorites on interviews with experts and product testing and reviews.

Ruby Buddemeyer was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan for nearly three years and has five years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and celebrity news across print and digital, including under-eye bag treatments and facial cleansing brushes. Her stretch mark removal picks were based on product reviews, ratings, and personal testing, along with information from industry experts.

Beth Gillette Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print.

Siena Gagliano Contributing Editor Siena Gagliano is a contributing editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces.

Ruby Buddemeyer Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital.

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