Do Stretch Marks Go Away?

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Demi Moore posed for Vanity Fair Magazine while she was pregnant. She took time off to raise kids and while on vacation, a reporter took a photo of Demi in her bikini—a photo that revealed some stretch marks. However, in Charlie's Angels, she wore revealing outfits that showed no sign of stretch marks.

According to a recent article in Medical News Today, almost half of pregnant woman will at some point see stretch marks on their bodies because of the rapid stretching of the skin. Still, pregnant woman aren’t the only ones who must bear these unsightly marks.

Men, woman and adolescents are also prone stretch marks when they undergo excessive weight gain, loss, or growth spurts. Even bodybuilding—because of rapid muscle growth—can lead to the development of stretch marks.

A person is also more likely to get stretch marks if they run in the family. For instance, if your mother or older sister had them, you are more likely to have them too.

What is a Stretch Mark?

According to board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Bermant, “Striae (the medical term for stretch marks) are the result of your skin collagen breaking down under the stress of extra weight or a stretching mass.”

Medical News Today describes stretch marks as a result of tears in the lower layer of the skin, where elastic supportive tissue helps skin to stretch.

The look of a stretch mark varies according to the color of a person’s skin. Most stretch marks start out as pink, reddish brown, or dark brown streaks. The colors gradually fade and eventually look like faded, silvery lines of scar tissue.

Good News about Stretch Marks

The good news is that stretch marks fade over time. Even better news is that they can be treated. The fact that Demi Moore can look stretch mark free in a bikini after having three kids is proof.

The best way to get rid of these unsightly marks is to help repair the collagen and elastin in the skin. Topical creams, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, deep chemical peels, and laser scar reduction and resurfacing (done while the stretch marks are still reddish) are all helpful in reducing the appearance of stretch marks.

The easiest to try at home is the creams. Dr. Bermant comments, “Most scars do better when massaged with a lubricant like cocoa butter,” but he added, “Once the scars have matured they cannot be removed except by cutting them out and this leaves a scar.” He feels that laser treatment can be an advantage.

When considering cosmetic stretch mark removal, consulting a qualified plastic surgeon of crucial importance. Review the doctor’s credentials, ask to see before and after photos on all procedures that you may get, ask the plastic surgeon to describe the treatment method, and inquire about the risks and complications of the procedure(s).

Article by: Donna Corrado

Interested in learning more about stretch mark removal? Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you.


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