Photo by Mina Rad on Unsplash

Six treatments actually earn their spot on any credible stretch mark shortlist. This guide walks through them in the order you should try them, whether the marks appeared during pregnancy, a growth spurt, or a weight change.

Quick primer first: stretch marks are literal tears in the dermis, the deeper skin layer that gives you elasticity. Fresh marks fade well with topicals. Older ones scar and rarely disappear entirely, though they can still improve. Starting early beats every other variable.

Key Takeaways

• Centella Asiatica and hyaluronic acid are the two ingredients you want to look for in any stretch mark serum.
• Prescription retinoids (like tretinoin) can work as well, but they’re not safe while pregnant.
• Professional treatments like laser therapy, microneedling, and PRP injections all show promise.
• Start with the best stretch mark cream and only consider more intensive treatments if needed.
• The top-ranked topical on this list is a great starting point for pregnant women in particular.
• Timing matters. Red/purple stretch marks respond to treatment better than older white ones.

6 Best Treatments For Stretch Marks According to Dermatologists and Clinical Studies

The ranking below draws on peer-reviewed dermatology journals and interviews with board-certified dermatologists — not consumer bestseller lists. Work through it in order: start with the mildest option and only escalate when a treatment genuinely fails.

1. 8 Sheep Organics (Hyaluronic Acid + Centella Asiatica)

The reason this earns the top spot: it pairs the two ingredients the AAD itself has endorsed for stretch mark reduction.

• Centella asiatica: Stimulates fibroblasts (the cells that make connective tissue) and rebuilds the structure of the skin through collagen synthesis. It’s among the strongest ingredients for stretch marks according to clinical trials.¹
• Triple-weighted hyaluronic acid: Can stimulate fibroblast activity and collagen production, all while pushing hydration deep into the layers of skin that need it most as it’s stretched to its limit.²

Made in small batches in the USA, no questionable additives, and safe throughout pregnancy. Works on the belly and also on hips, thighs, breasts, and arms.

The 3-month satisfaction guarantee alone makes this the logical starting point — nothing else on this list is refundable.

2. Bio-Oil (Vitamin A + E)

Familiar name, easy to find at any pharmacy. Mineral oil base with vitamins A and E and plant extracts.

A 2018 study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science credited a Bio-Oil-style blend with 20% self-assessed improvement over 8 weeks.⁸ Placebo group in the same study: 6%. Real signal, but narrower than marketing suggests.

Bigger issue is depth. Mineral oil sits on the surface rather than penetrating to the dermis where stretch marks originate. A separate Bio-Oil vs Mederma comparison on our blog goes deeper.

3. Prescription Retinoids (Such as Tretinoin)

Prescription territory, and pregnancy-incompatible — tretinoin is off the table until after delivery and breastfeeding. Adjustment side effects run harsh too: peeling and irritation are common in the first weeks.

The evidence is strong. A 1996 study found 80% of daily-users saw definite or marked improvement over six months, with stretch marks shrinking 14% in length and 8% in width.³

Dr. Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto, frames the mechanism this way: “While retinoids won’t ‘erase’ stretch marks, they have the ability to stimulate collagen production and cellular turnover, which will make stretch marks look better faster than they would if you hadn’t treated them.”¹⁰

4. Laser Therapy

Once marks turn white, topicals stop being enough for most people. Laser is the next serious tier.

Two types have the clinical support:

• Fractional CO2 laser
• Pulsed dye laser

Fractional CO2 hit 51–75% improvement in nearly half of white-mark patients in one study.⁴ A separate study rated it comparable to microneedling.⁵

The catch is cost. Sessions run $200 to well over $1,000 apiece, most people need 3–6 of them, insurance won’t touch it, and outcomes aren’t guaranteed.

5. Microneedling

The move when topicals have failed and white scars won’t budge. Tiny needles create controlled micro-injuries, triggering collagen and elastin repair from your own body.

A recent meta-analysis of 11 clinical studies confirmed significant improvements in stretch mark appearance, both alone and paired with other therapies.⁶

Painful, and expensive at up to $700 per session, with 4–6 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart. It’s a long haul.

Skip at-home dermarollers. They can’t reach the dermis. Professional needles run 1.5–2.5 mm deep.

6. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment

The newest and least-established option here. A blood draw gets spun in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets, then the plasma is injected directly into the marks. The theory: growth factors trigger collagen remodeling from inside.

Only one study meaningfully supports it. Four PRP sessions improved appearance, with higher fibronectin content in the skin confirming real structural repair rather than a surface trick.⁷

Cost sits at $500–$1,000 per session, at least 4–8 sessions. Wait until after childbirth.

Timing is Everything With Stretch Mark Treatment

The best treatment depends entirely on how old your marks are. Early = mild treatments work. Late = you’ve narrowed your options to expensive procedures.

Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a board-certified dermatologist, puts prevention front and center: “I encourage massage with emollients that help promote circulation and potentially minimize the chance of stretch marks.”⁹

Red or purple marks respond to topicals like centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid. Once they fade to silvery white, the collagen damage has fully matured — lasers and microneedling become the primary paths forward.

Consistency matters more than product hopping. Daily application of a proven serum like 8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum for at least 90 days is the honest baseline.

Frequently asked questions

Can you 100% get rid of stretch marks?

Not really. The realistic goal is fading marks to the point they’re almost invisible, not eliminating the underlying dermal tearing.

What is the most effective product for stretch marks?

The centella asiatica plus triple-weighted hyaluronic acid combo, which is exactly why 8 Sheep Organics tops this list.

What do dermatologists recommend for stretch marks?

Topicals first, then prescription retinoids after pregnancy, then laser resurfacing, microneedling, or PRP for stubborn white marks.

References

1. Garcia Hernandez JA, et al. “Use of a specific anti-stretch mark cream for preventing or reducing the severity of striae gravidarum.” International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2013;35(3):233-237.

2. Ud-Din S, McGeorge D, Bayat A. “Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae.” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2016;30(2):211-222.

3. Kang S, et al. “Topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) improves early stretch marks.” Archives of Dermatology. 1996;132(5):519-526.

4. Elsaie ML, et al. “Striae distensae (stretch marks) and different modalities of therapy: an update.” Dermatologic Surgery/Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. 2013.

5. Saki N, et al. “Comparing the efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser with microneedling in the treatment of striae alba: A randomized clinical trial.” Dermatologic Therapy. 2022;35(1):e15212.

6. Sun Q, Jia H, Huang R. “A systematic review and meta-analysis of microneedle treatment for striae distensae.” Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2024.

7. Hodeib AA, et al. “A clinical and immunohistochemical comparative study of the efficacy of carboxytherapy vs platelet-rich plasma in treatment of stretch marks.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2018;17(6):1008-1015.

8. Bielfeldt S, et al. “Randomized controlled study for the assessment of the cosmetic efficacy of a combination cosmetic product for the improvement of scar and striae appearance.” International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2018;40(1):81-86.

9. The Healthy. “How Dermatologists Treat and Prevent Stretch Marks.”

10. NBC News Select. “The Best Stretch Mark Creams, According to Experts.”

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