{
  "what": "Stretch marks (striae distensae) are linear scars in the dermis, where collagen and elastin tear because skin stretched more quickly than it could remodel, as in pregnancy, growth spurts or rapid weight or muscle gain. Red or purple marks (striae rubra) are the early, vascular stage; white or silver marks (striae alba) are the settled scar. At Dr Sin Yong's practice on Orchard Road, Singapore, the colour stage is assessed first because it decides the plan, and the realistic aim is a softer, flatter, less visible mark rather than erasure.",
  "key_facts": [
    "Two stages: striae rubra are pink, red or purple, sometimes raised or itchy, with inflammation and dilated vessels; striae alba are white or silvery, flat or slightly sunken, with thinned, disorganised collagen. Fading from red to white is maturing into a scar, not disappearing",
    "Causes: pregnancy, adolescent growth, rapid weight or muscle gain and corticosteroid exposure; genetics strongly influences who gets them",
    "Red marks: generally more responsive to collagen-inducing treatment; Dr Sin Yong uses FSX and fractional CO2 laser for red marks, and vascular-directed laser is aimed at the active blood vessels",
    "White marks: need energy delivered into the dermis, such as RF microneedling, fractional laser or microneedling, which a meta-analysis of trials in striae supports",
    "Does not work: creams, bio-oils and cocoa butter to remove a dermal scar, tanning (the scar tans differently and contrast rises), pigment-lightening serums on red marks, and home dermarollers, pens, laser or IPL gadgets",
    "At home: prescription tretinoin has some trial evidence for early red marks but is not used in pregnancy or breastfeeding; hyaluronic acid or Centella asiatica creams have some evidence for prevention in pregnancy; a self-tan blurs contrast",
    "Asian skin: early marks can look purple-brown and white marks stand out more; heat-based treatments carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory darkening, so settings are chosen for skin type and a recent tan delays laser",
    "Medical review first: sudden, widespread striae without pregnancy, growth or weight change, or with weight gain in the face or trunk, bruising, tiredness, high blood pressure or long-term steroid use"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Microneedling Therapy for Striae Distensae: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38509316/",
    "Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Fractional CO2 Laser and Microneedling Radiofrequency for Atrophic Acne Scars: A Systematic Review. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13052295/",
    "Kang S, Kim KJ, Griffiths CE, et al. Topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) improves early stretch marks. Archives of Dermatology 1996. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8624148/",
    "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. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26486318/"
  ],
  "owner_url": "https://drsinyong.com/stretch-marks/",
  "doctor": "Dr Sin Yong, aesthetic physician, Orchard Road, Singapore",
  "updated": "2026-10-31"
}