Stretch Marks After Weight Loss: Can Losing Weight Cause Them, and Will They Fade?
Start with our pillar guide: How to Fix Ozempic Face: What the Evidence Supports (2026), or browse all GLP-1 & Skin articles.
Whether stretch marks after weight loss are new or just newly visible is unclear, because no study has measured stretch marks caused by losing weight itself. Existing marks tend to fade without vanishing. A systematic review calls them "permanent dermal lesions" (Hague & Bayat, 2017), and they improved in 31 bariatric patients followed for 2 years (Triwatcharikorn et al., 2023). Evidence: Limited.
This page covers stretch marks only. If sagging is your main concern, see our guide to loose skin after weight loss. For the wider picture of how weight-loss drugs affect skin, read our overview of GLP-1 skin changes.
Key takeaways
- A 2024 systematic review of 151 studies describes stretch marks as forming after rapid skin stretching, such as pregnancy, puberty and weight change (Zhu et al., 2024).
- In a 2-year study of 31 bariatric surgery patients, 30 had stretch marks at baseline, and the marks were among the skin signs that improved after weight loss (Triwatcharikorn et al., 2023).
- Skin taken from 10 people about 20 months after bariatric surgery still showed "poorly organized collagen structure" and "elastin degradation" (Light et al., 2010).
- No study has looked at stretch marks in people taking semaglutide or tirzepatide.
- Across 151 treatment studies, complete clearance was rare, with the highest rates between 4% and 31% depending on mark type and treatment (Zhu et al., 2024).
Can you get stretch marks after weight loss?
Possibly, but nobody has measured it. Reviews list weight change as one setting where stretch marks form, yet no study we found tracked new marks appearing because someone lost weight.
Stretch marks, or striae distensae, are a form of dermal scarring: thin lines where the deeper layer of skin has been damaged. A 2014 systematic review found they occur in pregnancy, puberty and obesity, after some medical treatments and in several medical conditions. Proposed causes involve hormones, physical stretch and structural changes in the skin (Al-Himdani et al., 2014). A 2024 review describes them as appearing after rapid skin stretching, naming weight change as an example (Zhu et al., 2024).
What is well documented is the link with higher weight. In a Turkish cross-sectional study of 82 children with obesity and 86 normal-weight children, examined by the same dermatologist, stretch marks were the most common skin finding in the obese group (Güven et al., 2022). Reviews describe stretch marks as common to "the majority of obese patients" (Shipman & Millington, 2011) and attribute them to "over extension," while noting their cause is "yet to be defined" (García Hidalgo, 2002).
Show data table
| Group | Children with striae (%) |
|---|---|
| Children with obesity (n=82) | 72% |
| Normal-weight children (n=86) | 26.7% |
Two adult studies point the same way. In 80 female students (40 with stretch marks, 40 without), BMI was a risk factor for visible marks (OR 1.155, 95% CI 1.006 to 1.325) (Kasielska-Trojan & Antoszewski, 2018). Among 409 women followed after breast augmentation, 19 (4.6%) developed new marks, more often if they were overweight (17.77% vs 3.02%). The authors called for studies on whether weight loss lowers that rate (Basile et al., 2012).
A recurring question in weight-loss communities is how new-looking marks can show up while the body is getting smaller. The honest answer is that research hasn't followed people closely enough to say. Evidence: Limited.
Why do stretch marks look worse after weight loss?
No study has tested why. The most common explanation is that the marks formed at a higher weight and taut skin hid them, but that idea remains untested.
People who've lost a lot of weight often describe marks they never noticed before, appearing as the skin loosens. Some health websites go further and say loose skin "pulls" and tears the dermis. We found no study that measured either explanation, so treat both as theories.
What the research does show is that skin after major weight loss is structurally damaged. In 10 people having a body lift an average of 20.5 ± 11 months after bariatric surgery, who had lost an average of 132.1 ± 61.0 lb, samples showed poorly organized collagen, elastin breakdown and areas of scarring in skin that looked normal. Stretch-mark samples tested by calorimetry were consistent with "tissue matrix degradation" (Light et al., 2010).
A NIH-supported review on elastin adds background. Elastic fibers, which give skin its recoil, are "produced within a restricted developmental window and are stable for decades" (Duque Lasio & Kozel, 2018). That review is not about stretch marks, so it can't explain why marks look worse after weight loss. Evidence: Early / preliminary.
Will stretch marks go away after weight loss?
Usually not completely. Stretch marks improved in a small bariatric study, but a systematic review calls them permanent, so expect them to fade rather than disappear.
The best direct data come from a 2-year prospective study in Thailand. Researchers examined 31 people (19 men, 12 women, mean age 38.35) at months 0, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 after bariatric surgery. At baseline, 30 of 31 (96.77%) had stretch marks. Bariatric surgery "provided improvements in many skin manifestations, namely striae," with "varied cumulative rates of improvements," but the abstract doesn't define what improvement meant. Funding was not reported in the abstract (Triwatcharikorn et al., 2023).
What the 2-year bariatric skin study measured (n=31)
- Month 0Baseline
30 of 31 patients (96.77%) had stretch marks.
- Months 3 and 6Early changes
Facial sebum production fell significantly. Skin elasticity was lower at month 6.
- Months 12 and 18Follow-up visits
Skin exams, biophysical measurements and lab tests repeated.
- Month 24End of study
Stretch marks were among the skin signs that improved. Elasticity was lower again at month 24. 17 patients (54.84%) had shedding-type hair loss during the study.
Other evidence tempers that result. A systematic review of 74 assessed articles called stretch marks "permanent dermal lesions" and found that "no treatment has proved to be completely effective" (Hague & Bayat, 2017). Skin damage after bariatric surgery persisted "despite the duration of time since the bariatric procedure" (Light et al., 2010). A 2026 narrative review concluded that bariatric surgery has "multifaceted and sometimes conflicting effects on skin health" (Matwiejuk et al., 2026).
In the student study, women without stretch marks more often reported a history of intended weight loss (P < .0001), and the authors suggested weight loss may reduce risk (Kasielska-Trojan & Antoszewski, 2018). That was a one-time, self-reported survey, so it can't show that losing weight prevented or removed marks. Evidence: Limited.
Do you get stretch marks after weight loss on Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound?
No study has looked at stretch marks in people taking semaglutide or tirzepatide. Any link to GLP-1 drugs is a guess based on the general association with rapid weight change.
Bariatric surgery is the nearest model for large, fast weight loss, and it gives a mixed picture: stretch marks improved, but skin elasticity was lower at months 6 and 24 (Triwatcharikorn et al., 2023). An older review noted that all obesity treatments, whether over-the-counter, prescription or surgical, "potentially have dermatological side-effects" (Shipman & Millington, 2011). Neither source tested a GLP-1 drug.
| Feature | What the data show | What they don't show |
|---|---|---|
| Stretch marks | Improved over 2 years in 31 surgery patients | How much they improved, or whether drug-driven loss behaves the same |
| Skin structure | Collagen and elastin damage about 20 months after surgery (n=10) | Whether GLP-1 users have the same damage |
| Elasticity | Lower at months 6 and 24 after surgery | Whether speed of loss on a drug matters |
Bottom line: No study has measured stretch marks in people on semaglutide or tirzepatide.
Never stop, slow or change a GLP-1 medication because of skin concerns. Talk to your prescriber about any side effect. For related topics, see our analysis of FDA reports on GLP-1 skin and hair side effects, Ozempic neck, Zepbound skin side effects and Mounjaro skin sensitivity. Evidence: Limited (no direct data).
Why does it matter if stretch marks are red or white?
Mark age changes which treatments are tried. Newer red or purple marks (striae rubrae) still have active blood vessels, while older white marks (striae albae) are mature scars that respond less.
Vascular lasers can reduce redness in striae rubrae by targeting hemoglobin, while treatments for striae albae focus on increasing pigment, for example with ultraviolet light (Hague & Bayat, 2017). A 2026 trial calls striae albae "common but treatment-resistant dermal scars" (Grove et al., 2026). Pulsed dye laser on both types had "marginal success" in one review (García Hidalgo, 2002).
| Feature | Red (striae rubrae) | White (striae albae) |
|---|---|---|
| Stage | Early or newer | Mature |
| Treatment focus | Reducing redness, e.g. vascular lasers | Rebuilding collagen and pigment |
| Highest complete-response rate in a 151-study review | PRP injections, 31% (4 of 13) | CO2 laser, 4% (12 of 341) |
| Example trial | Tretinoin vs dermabrasion, 32 women | Fractional RF + tretinoin, 20 patients |
Bottom line: Earlier marks have more trial data and somewhat better reported outcomes; white marks are harder to change.
Evidence: Limited.
Do creams, oils or tretinoin help stretch marks?
Most creams and oils have little evidence. Tretinoin, a prescription-strength vitamin A derivative, has small-trial support, mainly for early red marks.
A 2014 systematic review found topical agents "appear to lack efficacy in the prevention" of stretch marks (Al-Himdani et al., 2014). A review of pregnancy prevention found limited evidence for centella, weak evidence for hyaluronic acid, and that cocoa butter and olive oil were "not effective" (Korgavkar & Wang, 2015). Those were pregnancy stretch marks, which may not behave like marks from weight change. Another review describes topicals as "mainly used as an adjunctive treatment" (Huang et al., 2022).
Tretinoin has the most trial data. In a randomized, open-label pilot, 32 women with early red marks received either 16 weekly dermabrasion sessions or daily 0.05% tretinoin cream. Both improved, with no significant difference, but dermabrasion had fewer side effects (Hexsel et al., 2014). A 2025 narrative review says "smaller RCTs and prospective studies indicate potential efficacy" for stretch marks. Several of its authors report consulting fees from skincare and drug companies (Balado-Simó et al., 2025).
Tretinoin's use in pregnancy is limited (Korgavkar & Wang, 2015). If you're pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy, ask a clinician first. For more on how tretinoin works, see does tretinoin help with wrinkles.
Peptide creams and collagen supplements have not been tested for stretch marks in any study we reviewed. Our guides to peptides for loose skin and collagen supplements cover what they do and don't do. Evidence: Limited.
Which in-office treatments work for stretch marks after weight loss?
Microneedling, radiofrequency (RF) microneedling, lasers and injectables all improved stretch marks in small trials. None reliably clears them, and none was tested specifically in people after weight loss.
Microneedling uses fine needles to make tiny wounds that prompt repair. RF microneedling adds heat through the needles. A 2024 meta-analysis of 11 studies (6 RCTs) found RF microneedling improved marks (SMD 0.57, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.94), and plain microneedling performed about as well as lasers (P = 0.35). Microneedling caused less post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, meaning darkening after skin injury (P = 0.0003), but more pain than laser (P < 0.00001) (Sun et al., 2024).
A separate meta-analysis found no difference in professionally rated improvement between RF microneedling and fractional CO2 laser (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.49 to 3.31). Hyperpigmentation was less frequent with RF microneedling (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.70) (Aktoz & Yilmaz, 2024). A review of 42 higher-quality studies, 5 on stretch marks, found RF microneedling's collagen remodeling is "slow and progressive" and continues "even 6 months after treatment," including in darker skin types (Tan et al., 2021).
Injectables also show promise. A systematic review of 7 studies in 184 women found fillers reduced stretch marks with "only mild, temporary side effects" (Alsharif et al., 2023). Our Sculptra vs Radiesse comparison explains the PLLA and CaHA biostimulators used in some of these trials.
| Qu et al., 2025 | 40 women | 3 monthly sessions, assessed 3 months later | PLLA injections vs 1565-nm laser vs both vs control | Efficacy scores: PLLA 5.70, laser 3.60, combination 6.70 |
| Ahmed et al., 2025 | 30 (27 women, 3 men) | 3 monthly sessions | Microneedling + PRF vs microneedling + PRP | Both improved; no significant difference |
| Roohaninasab et al., 2025 | 12 patients, 36 lesions | 1 session, assessed at 3 months | Er:YAG laser + SVF, PRP or saline | SVF raised epidermal density from 45.95 to 51.19 (p = 0.001) |
| Grove et al., 2026 | 20 | 3 sessions 1 month apart, 20-week follow-up | Fractional RF, tretinoin, both, or control | Only the combination beat control on patient ratings (p = 0.029) |
| Tian et al., 2019 | 18 women | 3 sessions at 3-month intervals | Fractional RF + 0.1% tretinoin | Combination site improved (p < .001) |
| Hexsel et al., 2014 | 32 women | 16 weeks | Weekly dermabrasion vs daily 0.05% tretinoin | Both improved; no significant difference |
Qu et al., 2025
Result: Efficacy scores: PLLA 5.70, laser 3.60, combination 6.70
4-arm randomized trial of abdominal stretch marks. PLLA outperformed the laser. Authors declared no conflicts.
Ahmed et al., 2025
Result: Both improved; no significant difference
Randomized split-abdomen trial. PRF and PRP are concentrates made from the patient's own blood. Authors declared no competing interests.
Roohaninasab et al., 2025
Result: SVF raised epidermal density from 45.95 to 51.19 (p = 0.001)
Double-blind randomized trial. SVF, a fat-derived cell preparation, had the highest patient and physician satisfaction. Authors declared no conflicts.
Grove et al., 2026
Result: Only the combination beat control on patient ratings (p = 0.029)
Within-patient randomized trial on white stretch marks. A blinded dermatologist found no significant difference for any treatment.
Tian et al., 2019
Result: Combination site improved (p < .001)
Randomized split-site pilot on pregnancy stretch marks. Side effects were mild pain and short-lived redness, swelling and crusting.
Hexsel et al., 2014
Result: Both improved; no significant difference
Randomized open-label pilot on early red marks. Dermabrasion had fewer side effects and better adherence.
No trial enrolled people specifically after weight loss. Funding was not reported in these abstracts.
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is listed among stretch-mark uses in a 2019 review whose author consults for PRP companies (Emer, 2019). An earlier systematic review of 8 RCTs found the evidence "insufficient to provide clear guidelines" (Liu et al., 2014). Aftercare timing is mostly clinic convention; see skincare after microneedling. Red light devices are also marketed for body skin; our review of red light therapy for cellulite covers what those trials show. Evidence: Moderate (for microneedling); Limited for the rest.
Can you prevent stretch marks while losing weight?
No method has been shown to. No trial has compared losing weight slowly with losing it quickly, and topical prevention evidence is weak.
"Lose weight slowly," "stay hydrated" and "eat vitamin-rich foods" are common tips. We found no study testing any of them for stretch marks, and no study on collagen supplements for stretch marks. Topicals "appear to lack efficacy in the prevention" of stretch marks (Al-Himdani et al., 2014), and reliable prevention methods in pregnancy are "scarce" (Korgavkar & Wang, 2015).
The closest hint is the student survey, where intended weight loss was more common in women without marks (Kasielska-Trojan & Antoszewski, 2018). Because it measured everyone at a single point in time, it can't show that weight loss prevented anything. Evidence: Limited.
When are stretch marks a sign of something else?
Unusual, wide, purple stretch marks that appear with other body changes are worth showing a doctor. In rare cases they point to Cushing's syndrome, a disorder of excess cortisol, the body's main stress hormone.
Two case reports involve people who had bariatric surgery. A 45-year-old man developed "abdominal large vinous striae," a rounded "moon" face, a fat pad at the back of the neck and muscle weakness after sleeve gastrectomy. The cause was a drug interaction that raised his steroid levels, and he had lost only 39% of his excess weight by 12 months (Benido Silva et al., 2023). A pregnant woman with "violaceous striae" was diagnosed with adrenal Cushing's syndrome. Her earlier gastric sleeve and rapid weight loss "further complicated the differential diagnosis" (Tahir et al., 2026).
Both are single cases, so they don't show how often this happens. They do show that stretch marks after weight loss shouldn't automatically be blamed on weight change. Let a doctor sort it out rather than self-diagnosing. Evidence: Early / preliminary.
What do stretch marks before and after weight loss treatment realistically look like?
Expect softer, narrower or less colorful marks, not clear skin. In trials, patients often rate their improvement higher than blinded doctors do.
Across 151 studies and 4,806 treatment outcomes (83% female, mean age 30.2), energy-based devices were the most-reported treatment (56%), followed by topicals (19%) and combinations (12%). Complete response was rare (Zhu et al., 2024).
Show data table
| Treatment and mark type | Complete response (%) |
|---|---|
| PRP injections, red marks (4 of 13) | 31% |
| Injection-based devices, all marks (12 of 172) | 7% |
| CO2 laser, white marks (12 of 341) | 4% |
The 31% figure rests on just 13 outcomes, so read it cautiously. In the 20-patient white-mark trial, patients reported 5- to 10-point improvements on a scar scale, while a blinded dermatologist recorded 0 to 2 points (Grove et al., 2026). Results can also take time: RF microneedling changes continued to improve at 6 months (Tan et al., 2021).
When you compare before-and-after photos, check the trial numbers above alongside them. Our Wegovy face before and after guide covers how to read weight-loss photos more generally. Evidence: Moderate.
Where the evidence stops
- No study has measured stretch marks in people taking semaglutide or tirzepatide.
- No study has tracked new stretch marks caused by weight loss.
- "Lose weight slowly to prevent them" and "loose skin reveals old marks" are untested.
- The main bariatric study had 31 patients and didn't define how much marks improved.
- Treatment trials rarely enroll men or people after weight loss, and many studied pregnancy or abdominal marks in women.
- Follow-up rarely goes past 6 months.
FAQ
Can you get stretch marks from losing weight?
Possibly, but no study has measured new stretch marks caused by weight loss itself. Reviews describe stretch marks as forming after rapid skin stretching, including weight change. The best-documented link is with higher body weight: in one study, 72% of children with obesity had stretch marks, compared with 26.7% of normal-weight children.
Will my stretch marks go away when I lose weight?
Usually not completely. A systematic review calls stretch marks permanent dermal lesions. In a 2-year study of 31 people after bariatric surgery, stretch marks were among the skin signs that improved, but the abstract doesn't say by how much.
Why do my stretch marks look worse after losing weight?
No study has tested this. A common explanation is that the marks were already there and tighter skin made them less visible. Skin removed from 10 people after large bariatric weight loss showed damaged collagen and elastin, even about 20 months after surgery.
Can Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or Zepbound cause stretch marks?
No study has looked at stretch marks in people taking semaglutide or tirzepatide. The closest data come from bariatric surgery, where stretch marks improved over 2 years but measured skin elasticity decreased. Don't change or stop a medication because of skin concerns; raise them with your prescriber.
Do stretch mark creams and oils work?
The evidence is weak. A systematic review found topical agents appear to lack efficacy for preventing stretch marks, and in pregnancy studies cocoa butter and olive oil were not effective. Tretinoin cream improved early red marks about as much as dermabrasion in a 32-woman trial.
What is the most effective treatment for stretch marks after weight loss?
No single treatment stands out, and none has been tested specifically after weight loss. A meta-analysis found microneedling worked about as well as lasers with less pigmentation but more pain. Across 151 studies, complete clearance was rare for every treatment type.
Are red and white stretch marks treated differently?
Yes. Red marks (striae rubrae) are newer, and vascular lasers can reduce their redness, while white marks (striae albae) are mature and described as treatment-resistant. In a 20-person trial on white marks, patients reported improvement but a blinded dermatologist saw little change.
When should I see a doctor about stretch marks?
Unusual, wide, purple stretch marks that appear alongside other body changes, such as a rounder face, fat at the back of the neck or muscle weakness, are worth showing a doctor. Two case reports describe Cushing's syndrome, a cortisol disorder, in people who had bariatric surgery.
References
- Hague A, Bayat A. Therapeutic targets in the management of striae distensae: A systematic review. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017. Systematic review, 74 articles assessed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28551068/
- Triwatcharikorn J, et al. Skin manifestations and biophysical changes following weight reduction induced by bariatric surgery: A 2-year prospective study. J Dermatol. 2023. Prospective, n=31, 24 months; funding not reported. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37665164/
- Zhu CK, et al. A Systematic Review on Treatment Outcomes of Striae. Dermatol Surg. 2024. Systematic review, 151 studies, 4,806 outcomes. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38452322/
- Al-Himdani S, et al. Striae distensae: a comprehensive review and evidence-based evaluation of prophylaxis and treatment. Br J Dermatol. 2014. Systematic review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24125059/
- Güven M, et al. Cutaneous manifestations of obesity in Turkish children: A comparative study. Pediatr Dermatol. 2022. Cross-sectional, 82 vs 86 children. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35285075/
- Shipman AR, Millington GW. Obesity and the skin. Br J Dermatol. 2011. Review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21564065/
- García Hidalgo L. Dermatological complications of obesity. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2002. Review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12180897/
- Kasielska-Trojan A, Antoszewski B. Do body build and composition influence striae distensae occurrence and visibility in women?. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018. Case-control questionnaire, n=80. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29105985/
- Basile FV, et al. Striae distensae after breast augmentation. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2012. Prospective, n=409; level of evidence IV. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22538277/
- Light D, et al. Effect of weight loss after bariatric surgery on skin and the extracellular matrix. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010. Histology and calorimetry, n=10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20048625/
- Duque Lasio ML, Kozel BA. Elastin-driven genetic diseases. Matrix Biol. 2018. Review; NIH-supported; not specific to stretch marks. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29501665/
- Matwiejuk M, et al. The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on the Development and Progression of Dermatologic Diseases: A Narrative Review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2026. Narrative review; no conflicts declared. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41107622/
- Hexsel D, et al. Superficial dermabrasion versus topical tretinoin on early striae distensae: a randomized, pilot study. Dermatol Surg. 2014. Randomized open-label pilot, n=32, 16 weeks. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24612027/
- Grove GL, et al. Treatment of striae albae with combination of fractional radiofrequency and topical tretinoin: A randomized controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2026. Within-patient RCT, n=20, 20-week follow-up. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42533163/
- Korgavkar K, Wang F. Stretch marks during pregnancy: a review of topical prevention. Br J Dermatol. 2015. Review (pregnancy). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25255817/
- Balado-Simó P, et al. An Updated Review of Topical Tretinoin in Dermatology: From Acne and Photoaging to Skin Cancer. J Clin Med. 2025. Narrative review; several authors report industry consulting fees. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41302994/
- Tian T, et al. Efficacy and Safety of a Sublative Bipolar Fractional Radiofrequency System Combined With Topical Tretinoin in Treating Striae Gravidarum: A Randomized Pilot Study. Dermatol Surg. 2019. Randomized split-site pilot, n=18. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30893166/
- Huang Q, et al. New Progress in Therapeutic Modalities of Striae Distensae. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022. Narrative review; no conflicts declared. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36213315/
- Sun X, et al. Microneedling Therapy for Striae Distensae: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2024. 11 studies (6 RCTs). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38509316/
- Aktoz F, Yilmaz N. Comparing fractional microneedle radiofrequency and fractional CO2 laser for striae distensae treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lasers Med Sci. 2024. Meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39516426/
- Tan MG, et al. Radiofrequency Microneedling: A Comprehensive and Critical Review. Dermatol Surg. 2021. Review of 42 higher-quality studies (5 on striae). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33577211/
- Alsharif SH, et al. Treatment of Striae Distensae with Filler Injection: A Systematic Review. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2023. 7 studies, 184 women; no conflicts declared. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37033784/
- Qu H, et al. Clinical Efficacy Comparisons Between Poly-L-Lactic Acid Injections and Non-Ablative 1565-nm Fractional Laser for Treatment of Striae Distensae-A Randomized Trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025. 4-arm RCT, n=40; no conflicts declared. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40662320/
- Ahmed AEM, et al. Microneedling with autologous platelet rich fibrin versus microneedling with autologous platelet rich plasma in treatment of abdominal stretch marks: a randomized comparative study. Arch Dermatol Res. 2025. Randomized split-abdomen, n=30; no competing interests. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40106114/
- Roohaninasab M, et al. Evaluation and Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Erbium YAG Laser Along With Normal Saline vs. Its Combination With Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in the Treatment of Striae Distensae: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025. RCT, 12 patients, 36 lesions, 3 months; no conflicts declared. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39838551/
- Emer J. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Current Applications in Dermatology. Skin Therapy Lett. 2019. Narrative review; author consults for Regen Lab and Eclipse. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31584784/
- Liu L, et al. Interventions for the treatment of stretch marks: a systematic review. Cutis. 2014. Systematic review, 8 RCTs. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25184641/
- Benido Silva V, et al. Iatrogenic Cushing's Syndrome: The Result of Cobicistat and Glucocorticoid Interaction in an HIV Patient After Bariatric Surgery. Cureus. 2023. Case report, n=1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36874659/
- Tahir F, et al. Diagnostic challenges of Cushing's syndrome in pregnancy. BMJ Case Rep. 2026. Case report, n=1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41942166/
Disclosure: This article is for general information only. It is not medical advice. Peptide Skincare has no affiliate links in this article and received no payment from any manufacturer mentioned. Never stop or change a prescribed medication on your own; talk to your prescriber, and see a dermatologist about stretch-mark treatments.