How to use body milk for stretch marks

How should you apply body milk?

1. 1Choose the area you want to treat. Products intended to fade stretch marks have the best chance on newer marks; treatment has little effect on mature marks.
2. 2Apply the body milk as directed on its label, then gently massage it into the stretch marks. Gentle massage can help a stretch mark product work better.
3. 3Repeat every day for weeks if you want to assess a fading effect. Daily application is general guidance for stretch mark lotions, not an instruction to override your bottle's schedule.

What results should you expect?

Cocoa butter can help keep skin moisturized, but it has not been shown to prevent stretch marks or reduce their appearance. Moisturizing is a useful job, even if the bottle has applied for a promotion to scar removal. Research on topical treatments is limited, and no topical formula stands out as the most effective treatment. Cocoa butter and olive oil have not demonstrated a stretch mark benefit.45

Stretch marks usually start darker and fade naturally, so a lighter appearance after starting body milk can also reflect time passing. Older marks can become pale, slightly sunken and wrinkled. They are harder to treat than newer pink or purple marks, and complete removal is not a realistic goal.26

How can you reduce stretch marks on the body?

For new marks, hyaluronic acid or prescription tretinoin, a type of retinoid, can help make them less noticeable. Tretinoin is not an instant fix: one treatment study used nightly application for 24 weeks. A dermatologist can assess whether a prescription or procedure suits the age of your marks and your health.17

Laser or light treatments and microdermabrasion, which removes a thin layer of skin, are other options for improving appearance rather than removing marks. Laser treatment can cause discoloration in darker skin tones, so choose a dermatologist experienced with your skin type. Many lotions promise prevention or removal, giving the packaging considerably more confidence than the results.467

Do not try tanning to blend stretch marks in: scars do not tan, so tanning makes the contrast more noticeable. A self tanner can temporarily camouflage both early and mature marks, but does not treat them.1

Who should check before using a treatment?

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before starting stretch mark treatments, including botanical creams. Do not use retinoid creams during pregnancy. Avoid cocoa butter if you are allergic to it. If repeated purchases are producing no improvement, a dermatologist can help you choose a more useful option instead of another lotion.1467

Why do stretch marks appear on the body?

Stretch marks form when skin stretches or shrinks quickly and its supporting collagen and elastin rupture. Common triggers include puberty, pregnancy, rapid weight changes and rapid muscle growth. Family history and prolonged corticosteroid use also play a role. Stretch marks are harmless and common, not a sign that you failed to apply enough moisturizer.2456

See a GP if large stretch marks occur alongside more fat on your chest and tummy with slim arms and legs, fat around the back of your neck and shoulders, or a red, puffy, rounded face. These can be signs of Cushing's syndrome, a condition involving excess cortisol.26