Stretch marks are a common change that occurs when the skin stretches faster than the underlying tissue can keep up, causing the dermis to tear. We frequently receive questions like, "Once they appear, will they last a lifetime? Can lasers really lighten them?" To answer directly, it is reported that they can improve significantly if approached at the right time and according to their condition.
Why Do Stretch Marks Occur?
The arms, legs, and abdomen are areas where marks often appear due to sudden weight gain. When weight increases rapidly, not only does the body shape change, but the skin cannot keep up with the stretching, causing the dermis to tear. These resulting marks are commonly called stretch marks.
The situations that cause them are found throughout daily life. They can also develop during pregnancy, during adolescence when height and body grow rapidly, or when shoulder or chest muscles quickly enlarge due to intense exercise.
They Can Occur Even Without Weight Gain
There are also aspects that are easy to overlook. If you are taking steroid hormones, stretch marks can occur due to hormonal changes even if you don't gain weight. Therefore, it is not uncommon for people to be surprised and ask, "I didn't gain weight, so why did they appear?"
In winter, it's relatively easy to feel at ease because they are covered by clothes, but when spring and summer arrive and clothing becomes more revealing, marks on the thighs, legs, arms, and abdomen become noticeable. This is also why many people look into management methods before the seasons change.
Red Stretch Marks: The Optimal Time for Treatment
Initially, most stretch marks appear reddish. It is important not to overlook this period, as the presence of redness is known to be the time when treatment effects can be expected with relative ease. At this stage, vascular lasers are used.
Blood vessels play a role in continuously supplying substances that create scars or inflammation in the skin. When these blood vessels become excessively dilated, stretch marks or scars appear red. Vascular lasers work by blocking this pathway and reducing the number of excessive blood vessels. If redness is prominent, the focus will be on managing the vascular stage of red stretch marks, similar to how red skin concerns like facial redness are addressed.
It is reported that stretch marks, once formed, rarely disappear naturally. Therefore, starting treatment early when redness remains tends to yield higher satisfaction.
If left untreated or without appropriate measures, they gradually turn white and become more noticeable as the indentation deepens. While there are individual differences, changes in color and shape generally appear around 6 months.
In the clinic, the approach for someone who comes in during the red stage of stretch marks is quite different from someone who comes in after they have already turned white and hardened. Therefore, it helps to first assess "what stage my stretch marks are in."
What's the Difference Between Red and White Stages?
If you have any questions, feel free to ask by inquiring about your stretch mark stage via chat consultation.
| Category | Red Stretch Marks | White Stretch Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | Relatively early | Generally after about 6 months |
| Main Characteristics | Redness, increased blood vessels | Loss of color, distinct indentation |
| Treatment Direction | Vascular stage calming | Dermal regeneration-focused |
| Commonly Used Methods | Vascular laser | CO2-based regenerative laser |
White Stretch Marks Focus on Regeneration
The goal of white stretch mark treatment is not prevention, but active regeneration. Indentation means that there is a significant lack of collagen in that area. Recently, regenerative treatment has been approached with CO2 lasers such as Ultrapulse Encore.
This method delivers energy to the dermal layer without causing significant damage to the skin surface, promoting fibroblasts to create new collagen. The approach varies depending on your condition: if redness is strong, a vascular laser is used; if indentation is distinct, a regeneration-focused method is used; and if both are present, devices for each are combined for treatment. If the main concern is hardened white marks, it is easier to understand by looking at managing the regenerative stage of white stretch marks and the stretch mark treatment process together.
Home Care to Complement Treatment
Combining hospital treatment with regular habits can contribute to better results. Consider the following:
- Consistently keep the stretching skin moisturized with creams or ointments.
- Reduce the burden on the skin by avoiding rapid weight changes.
- Protect marked areas with clothing or sunscreen when exposed to UV light.
- Don't miss the early stage when redness appears; check your condition early.
- Instead of self-diagnosing and applying strong stimuli, determine the appropriate direction with medical staff based on the stage.
As stretch marks share many characteristics with scars, the helpful treatment approaches are also similar to scar management. If indentation is prominent, you can think of a regenerative approach similar to how depressed scar concerns are addressed.
In Conclusion
The approach to stretch marks varies depending on their condition and stage, and the extent of expected changes also differs individually based on the stage. In the red stage, vascular calming is the main focus, while in the white stage, dermal regeneration is key. If both are mixed, a combined approach is considered.
If you want to know more about what stage your stretch marks are in or which method is right for you, please feel free to inquire below.
💬 Consult NowChief Director Lee Sang-joo (MD, PhD, Yonsei University College of Medicine and Graduate School; Completed Dermatology Residency at Severance Hospital; President of the Korean Dermatological Association) Chief Director Lee Sang-joo's Profile First Published 2025-02-26 / Last Reviewed 2026-06-16
Even for the same stretch marks, results may vary from person to person depending on the stage and skin condition. Therefore, we recommend consulting with medical staff to determine an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.