Medicines for Stretch marks

What it is

Stretch marks are narrow streaks or lines that develop on the surface of the skin. They are very common and completely harmless, and are not a sign of any health problem. Stretch marks occur when the skin is stretched — for example during periods of rapid growth or weight change — and the supporting middle layer of the skin (the dermis) is stretched more than it can cope with, so its fibres break, leaving marks as the skin thins in those areas. Common situations in which stretch marks develop include pregnancy (very commonly, particularly later in pregnancy), puberty and growth spurts, rapid weight gain or loss, muscle building, and some medical conditions or medicines (such as long-term use of certain steroid treatments, or conditions affecting the body’s hormones). They most often appear on the tummy, breasts, hips, bottom, thighs, and upper arms. Stretch marks usually start off as red, pink, purple, or darker streaks (depending on skin tone), which may feel slightly raised and sometimes itchy, and over time they typically fade to become paler, flatter, silvery or white, and less noticeable, though they often do not disappear completely. Stretch marks are a normal and extremely common part of the skin’s response to stretching, affecting people of all shapes and sizes, and they do not need any treatment for health reasons. Many people are self-conscious about them, but they are harmless and usually fade with time. Various creams and treatments are marketed for stretch marks, but the evidence that they make a significant difference is limited. The key messages are that stretch marks are very common and harmless, that they usually fade over time, and that they are simply a normal response of the skin to stretching.

How it is treated

Stretch marks are harmless and do not need any treatment for health reasons, and they usually fade and become less noticeable over time on their own. Because they are a normal response of the skin to stretching, the main "approach" is reassurance — understanding that they are extremely common, harmless, and not a sign of any problem, and that the redder or darker early marks typically fade to paler, silvery lines over months to years. Many creams, oils, and lotions are marketed to prevent or treat stretch marks (for example during pregnancy), but the evidence that they make a real difference is limited; keeping the skin moisturised may help comfort and any itching, and is harmless, but there is no strong evidence it prevents or removes stretch marks. For people who are particularly bothered by the appearance of stretch marks, some cosmetic treatments (such as certain laser or other dermatological treatments) are available privately and may improve the appearance to some degree, though results vary and they do not usually remove stretch marks completely; these are cosmetic rather than medical treatments. Because stretch marks are sometimes associated with rapid weight change, maintaining a steady, healthy weight where possible may reduce the chance of new ones, and during pregnancy they are largely unavoidable and normal. It is worth being aware that, rarely, widespread or unusual stretch marks (particularly if appearing without an obvious cause, or with other symptoms) can be linked with an underlying condition, so if stretch marks appear unusually or with other symptoms, it is reasonable to mention them to a GP. The reassuring messages are that stretch marks are very common, harmless, and a normal response of the skin to stretching, that they usually fade over time, and that no treatment is needed for health — while cosmetic treatments exist for those who wish to reduce their appearance, with limited and variable results.