Why some stretch marks do not respond to cream: superficial lines and deep stretch marks
The difference between new and old stretch marks, why they appear and what options there are for deeper ones.
AuthorDr. Sheyla JafarovaDermatovenereologist, aesthetic dermatologist, acne expert
Some stretch marks do not go away with cream. I see many patients who, without knowing this, buy expensive creams for months and wait for results. The reason is simple: the lines that appear on the skin and stretch marks are not the same thing.
Two kinds of lines
- New, superficial lines: red or purple, still forming
- Stretch marks that have deepened over time: whitish, silvery, with skin that looks thinner
New, red lines respond better to treatment: at an early stage, tretinoin or hyaluronic acid products prescribed by a doctor can make them less visible. Tretinoin is not used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. There is no scientific proof that an ordinary moisturiser prevents stretch marks. Deeper, whitish stretch marks form in the lower layers of the skin, and cream alone can hardly reach them.
Why stretch marks appear
- Rapid growth during adolescence
- Pregnancy
- Gaining or losing weight quickly
- Rapid muscle gain from training
- Long-term use of corticosteroid (hormonal) creams and medicines
- A genetic predisposition
What we do for deep stretch marks
That is exactly why we use a personal approach and procedures for deeper stretch marks: microneedling and topical treatment suited to your skin type. In studies, microneedling and fractional lasers show the best results for deep stretch marks. The goal is not to erase stretch marks completely but to bring their colour and texture closer to the surrounding skin. Realistic expectations are part of the treatment too.
Scientific references
The information in this article is based on the following peer-reviewed papers and international clinical guidelines.
- Al-Himdani, S., Ud-Din, S., Gilmore, S., & Bayat, A. (2014). Striae distensae: a comprehensive review and evidence-based evaluation of prophylaxis and treatment. British Journal of Dermatology, 170(3), 527-547. [PMID: 24125059] | [DOI: 10.1111/bjd.12681]
- Ud-Din, S., McGeorge, D., & Bayat, A. (2016). Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 30(2), 211-222. [PMID: 26486318] | [DOI: 10.1111/jdv.13223]
- Brennan, M., Young, G., & Devane, D. (2012). Topical preparations for preventing stretch marks in pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 11, CD000066. [PMID: 23152199] | [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000066.pub2]
- Mustafa, A., Zahid, R., Khan, S., et al. (2025). Evaluating CO2 laser and micro-needling therapies for striae distensae: a comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review. Lasers in Medical Science, 40(1), 161. [PMID: 40131559] | [DOI: 10.1007/s10103-025-04420-z]
