Kintsugi lets lines speak. With stretch marks, it can sometimes be a bit more subtle.

Stretch marks, also known as stretch marks As they are called, they are red, purple, white, or silver-colored lines in the skin. They often appear during a growth spurt, pregnancy, or weight change and are common on the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, breasts, and upper arms.

In some, they are barely visible, while in others they stand out more due to the color or the altered skin texture.

A question I often get is: Can you treat stretch marks?

Yes, that is possible. With the right treatment, the improve the structure of the skin and stretch marks can become less noticeable. The lines can appear softer and blend better into the surrounding skin. The extent of possible improvement varies by skin type and depends, among other things, on the type of stretch marks and how long they have been present.

At Medicadermis, I treat stretch marks with, among other things. ResurFX 1565 nm, the non-ablative fractional laser of the Lumenis M22, and with microneedling. Which treatment is the best fit depends on how the stretch marks look, how long they have been present, and what you would like to improve.

What exactly are stretch marks?

The medical name for stretch marks is striae distensae. These are linear changes in the skin primarily involving the dermis: the skin layer containing collagen and elastic fibers, among other things.

It is often said that stretch marks occur because the skin is stretched too quickly and tears, as it were. Mechanical tension does indeed play a role, but the process is more complex.

Research on skin with stretch marks shows changes in, among other things collagen, elastin and fibrillin. Hormonal influences and hereditary susceptibility also seem to play a role.

That helps explain why one person develops clear stretch marks during a growth spurt, pregnancy, or weight change, while another hardly does.

Red stretch marks and white stretch marks

Stretch marks often change color the longer they have been present.

New stretch marks are usually pink, red, or purple. These young stretch marks become striae rubrae mentioned. In this phase, the color often stands out strongly.

Over time, stretch marks usually become lighter and can turn white or silvery. We call this striae albae. With older stretch marks, not only the difference in color is often noticeable, but also the altered structure of the skin.

Both red as well as white stretch marks can be treated. While color can be more prominent in young stretch marks, the emphasis in older white stretch marks is often more on the skin texture.

What can you expect from a treatment?

Improvement of stretch marks occurs gradually. After treatment, the skin needs time to recover and renew. The final effect therefore develops in the weeks and months that follow.

The goal is for the lines to soften, the skin texture to improve, and the stretch marks to blend increasingly well into the surrounding skin.

How the skin reacts varies from person to person. Therefore, during a course of treatment, I look not only at the individual lines, but especially at the development of the overall skin appearance.

Treating stretch marks with fractional laser

For the treatment of stretch marks, I work at Medicadermis with ResurFX 1565 nm, the non-ablative fractional laser of the Lumenis M22.

With a fractional laser, the skin is not treated everywhere at once. The laser creates controlled, microscopically small treatment zones in the skin, while the skin in between remains intact.

This stimulates recovery processes involved in skin renewal and remodeling of collagen and other supporting tissue in the dermis.

Especially when the altered skin structure is clearly visible, for example in older white stretch marks, fractional laser is an interesting treatment option.

ResurFX is a non-ablative fractional laser. The skin surface is therefore not completely removed to treat the deeper skin.

Fractional lasers have been investigated in various clinical studies for the treatment of stretch marks, describing improvement in visibility and skin texture.

Read more about the ResurFX fractional laser treatment at Medicadermis →

Microneedling for stretch marks

Also microneedling can be used for stretch marks and has been investigated in various clinical studies.

With microneedling, controlled micro-channels are created in the skin using fine needles. The subsequent restorative response stimulates processes involved in collagen formation and skin remodeling.

Recent systematic reviews show that microneedling can improve stretch marks.

Microneedling and fractional laser are different treatment methods that can both be used to improve skin texture in cases of stretch marks. Which treatment is the best fit depends on the type of stretch marks and the skin.

Laser or microneedling for stretch marks?

The question which works better against stretch marks, laser or microneedling, is often stated.

Scientific literature currently does not identify a single technique that is best for every skin type. Improvement can be achieved with both forms of treatment.

Studies comparing microneedling with fractional CO₂ laser, for example, show improvement with both techniques. It is important to note, however, that not every fractional laser works the same way.

A fractional CO₂ laser is ablative. The ResurFX 1565 nm The one I work with at Medicadermis is actually non-ablative.

Which treatment is the best fit therefore depends on the stretch marks themselves, the surrounding skin, and the result you would like to achieve.

Stretch marks after pregnancy, growth, or weight change

Stretch marks can develop at various stages of life.

During pregnancy, they often develop on the abdomen and breasts. This form is also known as striae gravidarum mentioned. Red pregnancy stretch marks usually lighten over time and may then remain visible as white or silver-colored lines.

Stretch marks can also develop during puberty or a rapid growth spurt, for example on the hips, thighs, buttocks, or upper arms.

After a significant change in weight, existing stretch marks can also become more noticeable. The lines are not necessarily caused by the weight loss itself; sometimes changes that were already present in the skin simply become more visible.

Loose or sagging skin is, incidentally, different from stretch marks.When both are present, the possibilities for skin treatment may differ.

Do creams and oils work against stretch marks?

There are many creams, oils, and serums for stretch marks available. They can be pleasant for hydrating the skin and leaving it feeling supple.

The evidence for most cosmetic creams and oils regarding the actual repair of existing changes deeper in the skin is limited.

Furthermore, no convincing effect has been demonstrated for many popular cosmetic products regarding the prevention of pregnancy stretch marks.

Research is available for some medical active ingredients, but that is different from an ordinary cosmetic stretch mark cream or body oil.

Treating stretch marks in The Hague

Do you want have striae or stretch marks treated in The Hague? At Medicademis, you can come for a dermatological assessment and treatment of red and white stretch marks.

To improve skin structure, I work with, among other things. Lumenis ResurFX 1565 nm fractional laser and microneedling.

During the initial consultation, I examine the stretch marks, the surrounding skin, and especially what you would like to improve. Based on this, I discuss which treatment is the best fit and what we can aim to achieve with the course of treatment.

The goal is for the lines to soften, the skin texture to improve, and the stretch marks to gradually become less noticeable in the surrounding skin.

Frequently asked questions about stretch marks

What is the difference between striae and stretch marks?

There is no difference. Stretch marks is the English name for stretch marks. The medical term is striae distensae.

Can stretch marks go away on their own?

Red or purple stretch marks often lighten over time and can eventually turn white or silver. However, the change in skin texture usually remains visible.

Can you completely remove stretch marks?

Complete removal is not realistic with current treatment methods. With, among other things, fractional laser and microneedling It is possible to work on improving the structure and visibility of stretch marks.

Can you treat white stretch marks?

Yes. Also white stretch marks or striae albae can be treated. For older stretch marks, the emphasis is usually on improving the altered skin structure.

Can you treat red stretch marks?

Yes. Red or purple stretch marks become striae rubrae mentioned and can also be treated. Because these stretch marks are younger, the treatment goal may differ from that of older white stretch marks.

Does fractional laser work against stretch marks?

Fractional laser is one of the researched treatment techniques for stretch marks. At Medicadermis, I work with ResurFX 1565 nm, a non-ablative fractional laser aimed at skin renewal and remodeling.

Does microneedling work against stretch marks?

Yes. Microneedling has also been scientifically studied for stretch marks. Systematic reviews show that improvement of stretch marks can be achieved with this method.

What works better for stretch marks: laser or microneedling?

Current scientific literature does not identify a single technique that is better for every skin type. Both fractional laser and microneedling can provide improvement. Which treatment is the best fit depends on the skin and the type of stretch marks.

Can you treat pregnancy stretch marks?

Yes. If stretch marks remain visible after pregnancy, treatments aimed at improving the structure and visibility of the skin can be considered.

Can you still treat old stretch marks?

Yes. Even stretch marks that have been present for years can be treated. For older, white stretch marks, the focus is usually on improving skin texture and making the lines less noticeable.

Where can I get stretch marks treated in The Hague?

Bee Medicadermis in The Hague you can have striae and stretch marks assessed and treated. Possible treatments include ResurFX 1565 nm fractional laser and microneedling.

Scientific literature

For this article, I have used scientific publications on the origin and treatment of striae distensae.

Advances in the Treatment of Striae Distensae.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025.
Recent review of scientific knowledge regarding the origin and treatment of stretch marks.

Zhu CK, et al. A Systematic Review on Treatment Outcomes of Stretch Marks.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2024.
Systematic review of various treatment methods for distensive stretch marks.

Sun X, Jia
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2024.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of microneedling for stretch marks.

Mustafa A, et al. Evaluating CO₂ Laser and Microneedling Therapies for Striae Distensae.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025.
Meta-analysis comparing fractional CO₂ laser and microneedling.

Striae Distensae: Scars without Wounds.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2021.
Overview of the biological and histological changes seen in striae.

Watson REB, et al. Fibrillin Microfibrils Are Reduced in Skin Exhibiting Striae Distensae.
British Journal of Dermatology, 1998.
Histological examination for changes in fibrillin in skin with striae.

Aldahan AS, et al. Laser and Light Treatments for Striae Distensae.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2016.
Review of laser and light treatments for distensive stretch marks.

Farahnik B, et al. Striae Gravidarum: Risk Factors, Prevention, and Management.
International Journal of Women's Dermatology, 2017.
Overview of risk factors, prevention, and treatment of pregnancy stretch marks.

The results of stretch mark treatment vary depending on the skin and initial situation. Furthermore, scientific research into stretch marks involves different skin types, equipment, and treatment methods.Therefore, during the intake, I discuss what constitutes a realistic expectation for your skin.