Can Stretch Marks Go Away or Fade

Whether your stretch marks are from puberty, pregnancy or a drastic weight change, they’ll most likely never completely disappear. But they can fade with time, especially when properly cared for. When it comes to caring for your skin to reduce stretch marks, the sooner you start, the better the results. So check out what you can do, starting today!

• Stretch marks may fade over time
• They’re not likely to disappear completely.
• Improve the appearance of your stretch marks using creams and oils.

 Contents:

• Why do I have stretch marks?
• How do stretch marks change over time?
• How can I care for my stretch marks? 

Why do I have stretch marks?

Stretch marks are rippled streaks – called striae by the medical profession – that most commonly appear on the stomach, breasts, buttocks, thighs, and upper arms. They can appear on both men and women.

They typically develop when the skin is stretched too fast and the underlying connective tissue is torn. While pregnancy is one of the most common causes of stretch marks^[1,2], over 25% of sufferers are men (HRA internal report). You may also notice stretch marks from puberty as your body rapidly changes shape.

How do stretch marks change over time?

The appearance of stretch marks depends on the skin type and colour as well as on the age of the mark. On pale skin, fresh stretch marks can appear red, pink or purplish-blue, and the skin may appear very thin or slightly raised and might be itchy. Older stretch marks appear more scar-like, silvery or white, thinner and rather indented. On darker skin, stretch marks usually appear whitish or darker than the surrounding skin.