Any permanent treatment for stretch marks will involve rebuilding healthy skin tissues beneath the scar and fading the appearance of the current scar. This can be done through exfoliating treatments or specialized laser treatments, including the laser stretch mark removal treatment system at our clinic.
Stretch marks usually fade over time but may not disappear completely. Many creams and lotions claim to prevent, reduce or remove stretch marks. But there's very little evidence these work. There are some treatments that may help make stretch marks look better, but they will not get rid of them.
The results of laser stretch mark removal are not permanent. While the treatment can reduce the appearance of stretch marks, it is not a guaranteed solution. In some cases, laser stretch mark removal may cause scarring or skin discoloration.
Many consider the first step to be prevention, sometimes in the form of deep moisturizing of the skin with cocoa butter or shea butter . Pulsed-dye laser treatment of the reddish marks or fractionated laser treatments such as Fraxel® may be recommended as well.
Like any scar, stretch marks are permanent, but treatment may make them less noticeable. Treatment can also help alleviate the itch. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before treating stretch marks.
Will Bio-Oil help stretch marks? Bio-Oil helps to improve the appearance of existing stretch marks formed during pregnancy, teenage growth spurts or periods of rapid weight gain. Although it is more effective on newer stretch marks, older stretch marks will also show some improvement with regular use of Bio-Oil.
Do stretch marks go away when you lose weight? Stretch marks from gaining too much weight are not likely to go away, even if you lose the weight. That said, stretch marks can heal if they're still red (indicating new stretch marks). Older stretch marks that are translucent are the most difficult to address.
Can you get rid of stretch marks? Stretch marks are permanent scars involving the disruption of the underlying collagen and elastin fibers. You'll never be able to rid yourself of stretch marks.
Like all other treatment options, silicone sheets and patches will not fully eliminate stretch marks. They provide, at most, modest improvement.
How to use it: Mix one cup of sugar with 1/4 cup of a softening agent, like almond oil or coconut oil. Add some lemon juice to it and scrub the mixture on your stretch marks. Repeat this process two-three times a week before taking a shower. Make sure you rub the mixture for 8-10 minutes.
Sims recommends eating a diet that's rich in fatty acids—nuts (sesame seeds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds), legumes (split peas and lentils), fish (salmon and cod), and greens (kale, spinach, and collard greens) to prevent the development of stretch marks during pregnancy.
Maintain Current Weight, or Lose Weight
When stretch marks appear, it's most often because you've experienced rapid weight gain. To prevent the stretch marks from getting worse, stop any additional weight gain.
While stretch marks cannot be permanently erased, treatments like Bio-Oil can work to reduce their appearance thanks to effective ingredients. "Bio-Oil contains mineral oil, sunflower seed oil, vitamin E, chamomile oil, lavender oil, rosemary oil, marigold extract and soybean oil," King says.
In general, stretch marks take between six and 12 months to fade. With treatment, they often fade faster.
According to some studies, Bio-Oil can be effective in helping to improve the appearance of stretch marks. It is said to take three months before you start noticing a difference, but some people report visible results after four weeks of consistent use.
Best results are seen after using Bio-Oil® twice daily for 3 months. Use twice daily and apply directly to stretch marks for easy absorption. You may start to notice results as early as 2 weeks—but consistency is key. Most notice results at 8 weeks but 3 months is recommended for best results.
Stretch mark treatment typically costs at least $300 to $750 per treatment for five or six treatments, or at least $1,500 to $3,750 for fractional laser treatments, such as Fraxel, Starlux or Active FX that can fade the color and possibly lessen the depth of stretch marks.
A dermatologist or plastic surgeon are doctors who can help treat stretch marks. They specialize in caring for the skin. To reduce the appearance of stretch marks, they might use prescription creams, microdermabrasion, and laser treatment.
"There is no evidence that Vicks VapoRub helps to improve or prevent stretch marks," says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital.