Stretch Marks

Stretch marks (striae) are dermal scars formed when skin stretches faster than the collagen and elastin network can adapt, and hormonal factors contribute - which is why they are common in pregnancy, adolescent growth spurts, rapid weight gain or loss, and corticosteroid use. They appear first as raised red or purple lines (striae rubrae), then flatten and pale over 6-24 months into silvery striae albae. Genetics predicts who gets them better than any behaviour does, and having a parent with stretch marks is among the strongest risk factors. The honest evidence position: no topical product removes established stretch marks. Trials of cocoa butter and olive oil in pregnancy have found no benefit over placebo. Centella asiatica preparations and hyaluronic acid have shown modest prevention signals in small, methodologically limited trials. Tretinoin has some evidence for improving early red striae but is contraindicated in pregnancy. Laser and microneedling treatments produce partial improvement in appearance rather than removal, and work best on the early red phase. No oral supplement has been shown to prevent or treat striae; adequate protein and vitamin C support normal collagen synthesis but taking more than enough does not add benefit.