The Truth About Stretch Marks: Can They Really Go Away?

Do Stretch Marks Go Away? You Asked, We Answered

Have you ever caught a glimpse of new stretch marks on your hips and thought, "who invited you?" You're so not alone.

Stretch marks signify the incredible resilience of the human body. But let's face it, while they may be a testament to our body's amazing capabilities, they're not always well-received, and naturally so. If you’ve asked yourself the question, “Do stretch marks go away?” we’re here to shed some light and provide effective solutions.

By the end of this article, you'll not only have a deeper understanding of what causes stretch marks and how to prevent them, but a newfound appreciation for your body's strength and beauty.

Let’s start at the beginning. 

Why Do We Get Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks (known medically as striae distensae) are scarring that develops when the skin stretches or shrinks quickly. These abrupt changes make the collagen and elastin in your skin rupture. As it heals, stretch marks make their surprise appearance.

In their early stages, stretch marks may appear as red, pink, or purple linear streaks on the skin. They can also feel slightly raised or itchy. Over time, as stretch marks mature, they typically fade to a lighter, silvery color, becoming more depressed or indented.

Stretch marks may appear along the abdomen, hips, thighs, and breasts, or anywhere where skin has been rapidly stretched, including your arms, legs, and back.

The tricky thing about stretch marks? They don't discriminate. 

Some people never get them, while others develop them later in life, even if they’ve never had them before.

Sometimes stretch marks do go away, but it’s not guaranteed. Can you get stretch marks from losing weight or working out? Are they hereditary?

To answer these questions, let’s look at the most common causes of stretch marks:

• Fluctuating hormones (like during puberty)
• Genetics
• Pregnancy
• Rapid weight loss or gain
• Rapid muscle growth
• Some medical conditions (such as Cushing's syndrome or Marfan syndrome)

All of these can occur when rapid stretching of the skin tears collagen and elastin fibers.

But do stretch marks go away, or are they here to stay? 

How to Prevent Stretch Marks

Like any scar, stretch marks don’t typically go away without treatment, but they do fade over time. With a bit of proactive care and attention, you can reduce your chances of developing them, and make them less noticeable.

Here’s how:

• Maintain a healthy diet: Rapid weight gain or loss increases your likelihood of developing stretch marks, so it's important to maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise. Leafy greens and long walks are a great start!

• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps hydrate your skin, keeping it elastic and reducing your chances of getting stretch marks.

• Use moisturizer: Regularly applying moisturizer helps to boost hydration, improve elasticity, and support collagen production. Pro tip: Use a nourishing moisturizer like MD GLAM's DMAE Antioxidant Day Moisturizer, specifically formulated to help smooth and firm your skin. 
• Shield your skin from the sun: Overexposure to the sun weakens your skin's elasticity and breaks down collagen, so wearing sunscreen and protective clothing is a must. Time to whip out the floppy hats!

Now let’s touch on effective treatments, so you can embrace every inch of your skin. 

5 Ways to Treat Stretch Marks

Although they won’t magically vanish, stretch marks do go away somewhat — with the right treatment. Results vary, but with a range of treatments available, there's no reason stretch marks should hold you back from feeling your best! 

Wondering which solution is right for you? Here are some of the most popular treatments for stretch marks.

Lifestyle Changes

Caring for your body with healthy habits like exercise and nutrition can do wonders for your overall well-being, including your skin's health and appearance. Some nutrients (like vitamins C, E, and zinc) support collagen production and skin elasticity. Exercise does the same by increasing blood flow and nourishing your skin cells.

Do stretch marks go away when you lose weight?

They can, mainly if the stretch marks are related to weight gain or growth spurts. But it’s not always a sure thing. 

Sometimes, losing weight simply minimizes their appearance. In other words, stretch marks don’t always go away if you shed a few pounds. Regardless of its effect on our tiger stripes, healthy habits like eating better, staying active, and treating your body with kindness can increase your glow factor — because a healthy body is a beautiful body no matter what.

That said, some weight loss procedures (like tummy tucks or excess skin removal following rapid weight loss) can eliminate stretch marks by surgically removing the parts of the skin where they’re located. 

Laser Therapy

Fractional laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment targeting affected areas of your skin. By creating controlled micro-injuries that stimulate your body's natural healing process, your body pumps up collagen production. 

Do stretch marks go away with laser therapy?

Most dermatologists agree it takes at least three rounds of treatment to see results. But it depends on the severity of the stretch marks and factors like skin type, age, and overall health.

Microneedling

Similar to laser therapy, microneedling uses tiny needles to penetrate your skin. In doing so, it prompts new elastin and collagen to repair affected areas, and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

Do stretch marks go away with microneedling?

Like laser therapy, microneedling can be uncomfortable and require a few sessions for optimal results.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

PRP is a non-invasive treatment that involves drawing a small amount of your blood and separating the platelets into a concentrated solution. 

This solution is then injected directly into your stretch marks, where it stimulates collagen production, improves blood flow, and promotes healing. 

As the new collagen and elastin fibers grow, it improves overall texture and tone, reducing the visibility of stretch marks. 

Do stretch marks go away with PRP?

As with most treatments, you may need multiple treatments to see a noticeable improvement.

Medical-grade skincare

Are you afraid of needles? You’re not the only one. If you’d prefer gentle treatment, the right skincare can minimize your stretch marks while creating a delightful self-care experience — no shots, lasers, or discomfort necessary. 

Best part? Medical-grade products are typically formulated with more active ingredients than OTC products, generating better results.

For example, retinol-based skincare penetrates your skin and ramps up collagen and elastin, helping to strengthen and smooth your skin. 

Do stretch marks go away completely with medical-grade skincare?

By using high-quality skincare designed to target stretch marks, you can gradually reduce their appearance and improve the overall health and radiance of your skin. 

Stretch marks, be warned: MD GLAM’s got you on our radar. 

Embrace Your Stripes with MD GLAM!

Our years of working one on one with our clients have taught us that in some cases, stretch marks do go away. But many individuals wear them as badges of honor showcasing their body's resilience. 

And one thing remains clear: smoothing stretch marks and loving your body can coexist in perfect harmony.

At MD GLAM, we believe in celebrating every aspect of your body while helping you achieve your skin goals and unshakeable confidence. That's why we offer luxurious, scientifically-proven skincare solutions that work with your body to help you glow from head to toe. 

Shop our collection now and start loving the skin you’re in — tiger stripes and all.