Whether from pregnancy, weight loss, or growth spurts, the striated tracks, resembling a swatch of tire tread, that can show up on skin are frustrating to women (and lots of men, too, especially those who’ve lost a lot of weight). Despite cosmetics advertising to the contrary there are no solutions or preventive treatments for this problem (Sources: Clinical Dermatology, March-April 2006, pages 97-100). All the lotions and potions in the world, all the cocoa butter or shea butter or aloe vera you can slather on won’t alter one stretch mark on any part of your body. That doesn’t mean there aren’t options, but research shows the results are not always what we hope they will be.
Non-ablative laser and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) procedures and chemical peels can have benefit, but they are expensive and require multiple treatments. Moreover, the research is not exactly conclusive as to how much benefit can be derived. If your expectations are reasonable these are worth a discussion with your dermatologist. (Sources: Dermatology Surgery, May 2008, pages 686-691; Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery, May 2008, pages 523-530; and Journal of Cosmetic Laser Therapy, June 2007, pages 79-83.)
Topical tretinoin also can have benefit if it is applied as soon as the stretch mark is noticed. (Sources: Experimental Dermatology, December 2003, S35-S42; Advances in
Therapy, July-August 2001, pages 181-186; and Archives of Dermatology, May 1996, pages 519-526.)
While these studies show promise for improving the appearance of stretch marks, the word “improve” needs to be qualified. These studies were done on a small sampling of women and the improvement was evaluated as good, but the stretch marks did not disappear. What does show the most promise for reducing or even eliminating the appearance of stretch marks is laser resurfacing or chemical peels.