Post-Pregnancy Stretch Marks: Treatments That Actually Work

Stretch marks can be tough to treat, and results are often modest. The skin's natural repair process struggles to fully fix damaged collagen and elastin fibers, especially in areas like the abdomen and trunk where blood flow is lower. Still, even small improvements can make a difference, and that's worth considering if complete removal isn't likely.(1) Treating stretch marks can be tough, and knowing what causes them and how to prevent them can help manage their appearance. Doctors diagnose them based on how they look, ruling out other skin conditions. Creams and gels are popular treatments that come with the limitation. On the other hand, treatments like laser therapy, microneedling, and radiofrequency can improve skin texture by boosting collagen, but we need more research on the best ways to use them and their long-term effects.(2)

If you're looking for a stretch marks treatment after pregnancy, knowing what causes them and how to treat them can help you pick the right product.

We're still not entirely sure what causes stretch marks during pregnancy, but it's likely linked to skin stretching and hormonal changes. Hormones like estrogen and relaxin might weaken collagen fibers, making skin more prone to stretch marks. Changes in connective tissue, like reduced elastin, also play a role. Interestingly, stretch marks don't always show up in direct proportion to how much your skin stretches - some people get them even with minimal weight gain. There's also some evidence they might be linked to pelvic relaxation and lower collagen levels, but more research is needed to confirm this.(3)

Treatments That Actually Works on Post-Pregnancy Stretch Marks

Treatment options currently include procedures like tropical application, laser therapy, light therapy, injections, laser lipolysis, radiofrequency, and microdermabrasion. (4)

The most commonly used active ingredient for the treatment of stretch marks is Centella asiatica Research study that showed that some skincare ingredients have shown promise. Centella asiatica extract, for instance, boosted skin elasticity and reduced stretch marks by 60%. Nourishing ingredients like shea butter and cocoa butter also helped by supporting collagen and improving the look of stretch marks. The most effective products seem to work by supporting collagen production and improving skin structure over time. (5) Another study with Centella asiatica where a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 100 pregnant women evaluated Trofolastin® cream, containing Centella asiatica extract, vitamin E, hydrolyzed collagen, and elastin. The cream was applied daily to the stretch marks  from the third month of pregnancy. Among the 80 women who completed the study, 56% in the placebo group developed stretch marks, while fewer cases occurred in the cream group. The severity of marks was also lower in women using the cream, showing its protective effect, particularly in women with a previous history of stretch marks.(6)

the effectiveness of an anti-stretch mark cream containing hydroxyprolisilane-C, rosehip oil, Centella asiatica triterpenes, and vitamin E in preventing stretch marks. With the treated group women who developed new marks, the increase in severity was significantly lower in the treated group. Importantly, in women without previous stretch marks, the incidence of new marks was significantly lower with the active cream (5.6%) compared to placebo (35%). These findings suggest that the formulation can reduce the severity of stretch marks and help prevent the development of new ones during pregnancy.(7)

Tretinoin has been studied for treating stretch marks, especially early on. Applying 0.1% tretinoin cream for 6 months improved stretch marks in about 80% of patients, with 40% seeing significant results. For pregnancy-related stretch marks, 0.1% tretinoin reduced length by 20% and width by 23% in 12 weeks. Combining tretinoin with glycolic acid also shows promise - a mix of 20% glycolic acid and 0.05% tretinoin improved mature stretch marks and boosted elastin levels. Bottom line: tretinoin, alone or with glycolic acid, can help improve stretch marks, especially in their early stage.(8)

Injectable fillers like Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) and Hyaluronic Acid (HA) are being used to treat stretch marks. They work by restoring volume, boosting collagen, and improving skin texture. CaHA stimulates collagen and elastin production, thickening the skin and improving blood flow. Hyperdiluted CaHA also supports collagen growth. HA fillers hydrate the skin and stimulate collagen production, and combining them with microneedling seems to give even better results. It's a promising approach for tackling stretch marks.(9)

Topical tretinoin has demonstrated modest efficacy in improving stretch marks, with outcomes depending on the concentration used and treatment duration. Laser-based therapies, including ablative and nonablative fractional lasers, have shown improvements in stretch mark appearance through collagen remodeling, with nonablative lasers generally better tolerated in darker skin types. Microneedling and fractional microneedling radiofrequency (RF) are also considered effective and cost-efficient treatments across different skin types. Studies suggest that combination therapies, particularly those involving microneedling with RF, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or fractional CO₂ lasers, provide better outcomes than monotherapy, especially for striae alba, while striae rubra tends to respond more favorably to treatment overall.(10)

References:

1.     Elsaie ML, Baumann LS, Elsaaiee LT. Striae Distensae (Stretch Marks) and Different Modalities of Therapy: An Update. Dermatol Surg. 2009 Apr;35(4):563–73. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2009.01094.x

2.     Mikes BA, Oakley AM, Patel BC. Striae Distensae. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 [cited 2026 Apr 2]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436005/ PubMed PMID: 28613776.

3.     Osman H, Rubeiz N, Tamim H, Nassar AH. Risk factors for the development of striae gravidarum. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Jan;196(1):62.e1-62.e5. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2006.08.044

4.     Boira C, Meunier M, Bracq M, Scandolera A, Reynaud R. The Natural Centella asiatica Extract Acts as a Stretch Mark Eraser: A Biological Evaluation. Cosmetics. 2024 Jan 23;11(1):15. doi:10.3390/cosmetics11010015

5.     Mendes N, Alves PJ, Barros M, Rodrigues JM, Machado J. A Narrative Review of Current Striae Treatments. Healthcare. 2022 Dec 17;10(12):2565. doi:10.3390/healthcare10122565

6.     Bylka W, Znajdek-Awiżeń P, Studzińska-Sroka E, Brzezińska M. Centella asiatica in cosmetology. Adv Dermatol Allergol. 2013;1:46–9. doi:10.5114/pdia.2013.33378

7.     García Hernández JÁ, Madera González D, Padilla Castillo M, Figueras Falcón T. Use of a specific anti‐stretch mark cream for preventing or reducing the severity of striae gravidarum. Randomized, double‐blind, controlled trial. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2013 Jun;35(3):233–7. doi:10.1111/ics.12029

8.     Rosell VMC, Grimalt R. Dual Topical Therapy. The Future of Stretch Marks? JEADV Clin Pract. 2026 Mar;5(1):26–31. doi:10.1002/jvc2.70234

9.     Wu Y, Wang H. Advances in the Treatment of Striae Distensae. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026 Jan;25(1):e70683. doi:10.1111/jocd.70683

10.   Chaudhury H, Remmert N, Chen H, Tarbox M. Advancements in treating stretch marks across all skin types: a comprehensive review of therapeutic modalities. Int J Women’s Dermatol. 2026 Jan 12;12(1):e244. doi:10.1097/JW9.0000000000000244