When is microneedling recommended for stretch marks?

Stretch marks, also called striae, form when the skin stretches and supporting fibres change. Early marks may be red, pink, or purple, while older marks are often lighter and slightly indented. Microneedling creates controlled punctures that prompt repair in the treated skin and may soften differences in texture over time. It cannot recreate unaltered skin, and results vary with the mark's age, width, location, skin tone, and hormonal or body changes. The clinician also checks for active rash, infection, poor healing, or a tendency to form raised scars.

Choose an assessment rather than treating a new or changing mark without a diagnosis. Tell the clinician if you are pregnant, recently gave birth, breastfeeding, taking medicines that affect healing, or prone to dark marks after injury. Keep the area moisturised as advised, avoid tanning, and follow instructions about shaving and topical products. Read more about [Microneedling](/treatments/aesthetic-procedures/microneedling/).

Wait if the area is sunburned, broken, infected, or affected by an active inflammatory rash. Seek assessment if marks appear without a clear stretching event, become painful, bruise easily, or change quickly. After treatment, report increasing warmth, redness, swelling, pus, blistering, severe pain, or unexpected colour change to the treating clinician.

Ask whether the marks are mature enough for treatment, what degree of blending is realistic, how the plan changes for darker or lighter marks, and what other options might suit your skin. Confirm recovery care and the signs of infection or delayed healing.