11 Ways to Help You Get Rid of Stretch Marks

While people commonly associate stretch marks with pregnancy, stretch marks can occur after any rapid change in weight.¹ But if the light or dark ribbon scars along your skin are bringing down your confidence, there are multiple treatments that can help.

1. Retinoid Cream

Stretched skin can become loose, but retinoid cream is a quick solution. When applied according to the product's directions, retinoid cream stimulates collagen production and tightens the skin.² Retinoid cream is available at most drugstores or any shop that sells skin care products. Using retinoid cream may ease the appearance of your stretch marks after a few weeks or months of use.³

2. Red Light Therapy

When red light interacts with your skin on a low wavelength, it supercharges the mitochondria in your skin cells. Mitochondria give your cells more energy, which can speed up skin regeneration and repair. Your stretch marks could begin to fade with this treatment if your dermatologist recommends it.⁴

3. Radiofrequency Therapy

Dermatologists can use radiofrequency therapy to start the fibroblast stimulation that decreases scarring pigmentation. The energy waves activate your skin cells so they naturally heal themselves faster. Research shows that radiofrequency therapy can reduce the color and texture of stretch marks after four treatments.⁵

4. Laser Therapy

Laser light therapy is another resource for anyone hoping to get rid of stretch marks. When the laser hits a scar, it blends the pigmentation with the skin surrounding it. By working from the outside in, a dermatologic surgeon could complete this noninvasive stretch mark removal procedure in just a few appointments.⁶

5. Microneedling

When people sit down for a microneedling appointment, a dermatology expert punctures their stretch marks or other scars with tiny needles. The needles remove damaged collagen and stimulate the healing process. Your skin cells quickly repair themselves, resulting in less scarring.⁷

6. Dermabrasion

People who need a surgical option for their stretch marks may consider dermabrasion. A skin care surgeon completes this procedure by gently applying pressure to the stretch marks with a dermabrader and wire brush. The handheld machine scratches away at the outermost layer of skin, making the stretch marks less visible. It may take more than one treatment to reduce their visibility.⁸ Discuss your options with a dermatologist to see if this is the best solution for your stretch marks.

7. Microdermabrasion

Anyone interested in noninvasive procedures may also look into microdermabrasion. It's a minimally invasive procedure that uses microscopic crystals to remove the epidermis' stratum corneum layer. After healing, the treated area can even have improved permeability, making future medications and topical treatments more effective.⁹

8. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels can also be used to treat stretch marks.¹ The chemicals gently erase the top of a scar.¹⁰ Talk with a dermatologist to discuss the three types of chemical peels available for clients. The severity and size of your stretch marks could make a light, medium or deep peel more necessary.

9. Hyaluronic Acid

The human body naturally produces hyaluronic acid, but people can use more of it to reduce the appearance of scars. It comes in creams and serums advertised as antiaging. When applied to your stretch marks regularly, hyaluronic acid can hydrate skin cells to improve their elasticity and even their pigmentation.¹¹

10. Centella Asiatica

Centella asiatica is an herb in many scar-removing or scar-reducing skin care products. When people apply it on scar tissue like stretch marks, they may see significant improvement in pigmentation and texture.¹² Look for a product listing it first in the ingredients list to ensure it's a primary component.

11. Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

People who sign up for platelet-rich plasma therapy provide a small sample of their blood, after which it is processed in a centrifuge so the plasma separates from the rest of the blood material. Doctors can then inject that plasma back into stretch marks to stimulate healthy skin cell production.¹³

Financing Stretch Mark Treatments With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for stretch mark treatments and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Mia Barnes is a freelance writer and researcher with experience covering health, well-being and financial wellness. She is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine. Her work has appeared on publications such as Science of People, SMSNA, Employee Benefit News and Austin Fit Magazine.