How to prevent stretch marks

What can you actually do?

• Aim to maintain a healthy weight and avoid sudden weight fluctuations where possible.
• Moisturize regularly with a product suited to your skin type. Treat hydration as skin care, not as guaranteed stretch mark prevention.
• During pregnancy, choose gentle, fragrance free products to reduce the risk of irritation.
• If you want treatment for marks that have already appeared, discuss options while they are still new rather than waiting until they have faded.

Can lotion prevent stretch marks?

Lotion is useful for moisturizing, but evidence for preventing stretch marks is weak. Cocoa butter has not been shown to prevent them or reduce their appearance, and olive oil did not prevent pregnancy stretch marks in a controlled trial. Stretch mark creams make plenty of promises, but a promise on a jar is not a prevention method.146

Centella asiatica has limited evidence for prevention, and hyaluronic acid has weak evidence. These are not established preventive treatments. There is also no firm evidence that massage prevents stretch marks, so buying a special cream or adding a massage routine is not necessary for reliable prevention.26

Can you prevent stretch marks during pregnancy?

There is no proven method. Pregnancy stretch marks commonly develop on the abdomen, breasts, hips and thighs as skin stretches and hormones change. Younger age, a family history of stretch marks and carrying a larger baby increase the risk. Moisturizing can support skin hydration, but stretch marks can develop despite regular skin care.36

Do not use retinoids, including tretinoin and retinol, during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, tell your obstetrician and dermatologist about your medications and prescription skin care. Check with your doctor before starting stretch mark treatments while breastfeeding, and before using botanical creams during pregnancy.245

Does gaining weight cause stretch marks?

Rapid weight gain can cause stretch marks, but weight gain is not the only trigger. Rapid weight loss and rapid muscle growth can also lead to them. Some steroid creams or tablets increase the likelihood of stretch marks, so marks are not always explained by a change on the scales.147

Do stretch marks appear during puberty?

Yes. Growth spurts can produce stretch marks on the thighs, buttocks and breasts. Breast development is a common trigger during puberty. Adolescent stretch marks generally become less visible over time and usually need no treatment; having them does not by itself mean there is a medical problem.27

What if stretch marks have already appeared?

Stretch marks usually start darker and fade over time, but they do not always disappear completely. New marks respond better to treatment than older ones. A dermatologist can discuss topical treatments such as tretinoin, or procedures such as lasers and microneedling. Treatments can make marks less noticeable rather than erase them, despite the skincare industry's fondness for a clean slate.16

See a GP if large stretch marks appear alongside more fat on your chest and tummy but slim arms and legs, fat around the back of your neck and shoulders, or a red, puffy, rounded face. This combination can signal Cushing's syndrome, a condition involving excess cortisol.12