Do stretch marks go away?

Stretch marks, also called striae, form when skin is stretched and supportive fibres in the deeper skin are altered. New marks may look pink, red, purple or brown and can feel slightly raised or itchy. Older marks usually become paler, softer and less sharply defined. Their appearance can vary with skin tone, hormonal changes, body growth and genetics. They are common on the abdomen, breasts, hips, thighs and buttocks, and are not contagious.

Moisturiser can ease dryness or itch, but it does not rebuild the deeper skin changes that create a mark. Protecting exposed skin from ultraviolet light helps reduce contrast between the mark and surrounding skin. A dermatologist can assess whether the marks are newer or older and discuss options such as Microneedling, Fractional Laser Treatment, RF Microneedling or Carboxytherapy. These procedures work differently, may need a series of sessions and can cause temporary redness, swelling or pigment changes. Treatment choice should account for your skin tone, pregnancy status, medications and tendency to form raised scars.

Arrange an assessment if marks appear suddenly, spread quickly, are wide or numerous, or occur with easy bruising, muscle weakness, facial changes or other new symptoms. Also seek advice if a product causes burning, blistering or a persistent rash. A clinician can check for medication-related or hormonal causes instead of assuming every new line is an ordinary stretch mark.

Ask which treatment fits the age and colour of your marks, how many visits may be needed, what downtime to expect, and how your skin tone affects pigment-change risk. Ask whether you should pause retinoids or other irritating products and when results should be reviewed.