Red stretch marks often appear after periods of rapid growth or weight gain, but they can also occur after periods of weight loss. Stretch marks, called striae medically, are scars that appear when skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The marks are often red, purple, or dark brown when they first appear, but fade with time. In most cases, they aren't harmful, and unfortunately, there's not much you can do to eliminate stretch marks or prevent them in the first place.
Continue reading to learn more about red stretch marks, including how to get the risk of stretch marks, what stretch marks are, what causes stretch marks, and the answer to "Do stretch marks go away?"
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What Are Red Stretch Marks Exactly?
Red stretch marks are a type of scar. They form when the skin changes size rapidly, either growing or getting smaller. This causes the collagen and elastin that support the skin to break open, forming a scar. Stretch marks are most likely to appear on caucasian skin but can happen to people of any skin tone. The scars might appear red, purple, or brown, depending on your skin tone.
When stretch marks first appear, they are boldly colored, often red. They’re often raised and might be itchy. Within a few months, they fade and are less noticeable against your skin tone.
Red vs. White
Red (or purple or brown) stretch marks are new stretch marks. White or translucent stretch marks are older. Over time, stretch marks will fade from bold colors to white, translucent, or skin tone. However, they don’t go away entirely.
A Word From Verywell
Stretch marks are extremely common. When new, stretch marks may appear reddish, brown, or a variation of dark colors. This is when they are most responsive to treatment. They will fade and become paler with time. It is worth consulting with a dermatologist for help if they bother you cosmetically.
— WILLIAM TRUSWELL, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
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What Causes Red Stretch Marks?
In general, stretch marks occur during periods of rapid growth, but can also happen after size reduction or weight loss. Healthcare professionals don’t know why some people develop stretch marks while others don’t, but hormones and genetics appear to play a role.
Stretch marks most commonly appear during or after:
- Puberty or other periods of intense growth
- Pregnancy
- Rapid weight gain and/or muscle growth
- Weight loss
Medical causes of stretch marks
In addition to changes in body size, stretch marks can be caused by some medications and medical issues. The most common is using steroid cream, like hydrocortisone cream, on your skin too often. They can also be caused by:
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Medications that block collagen formation, including some high blood pressure medications and cancer medications
Common Locations to Find Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are most common on the:
- Hips
- Thighs
- Abdomen
- Butt
- Breasts
- Lower back
- Armpits
- Upper arms
Treatment Options
Stretch marks won’t go away altogether, but it’s possible to make them less noticeable with treatment. The research about stretch mark treatments that work is mixed. Treatments that work for one person may not work for another, and no treatment works 100% of the time.
If you’ve just noticed red stretch marks, it’s a good time to try treatment. Research shows that treatment is more likely to work on newer stretch marks than those that have already started to fade.
Dermatologist treatments
One of the most effective treatments for stretch marks is laser treatment. For some people, laser treatments can reduce the appearance of stretch marks by up to 50%.
Dermatologists can offer other stretch mark treatments, including UV light therapy, which can reduce the appearance by up to 50% for some people, and microdermabrasion, which can reduce the appearance by 25-75%.
Prescription medicines
Two types of prescription medications can help remove stretch marks when applied to the skin.
- Hyaluronic acid is a topical treatment that can reduce the appearance of stretch marks by up to 47% for some people.
- Tretinoin is a topical ointment. In placebo studies, people who used the medication had less noticeable stretch marks, while those who didn’t experienced increased stretch marks by the end of the study.
Home Remedies for Stretch Marks
Some people find that home remedies for stretch marks work for them, while others discover the treatments don’t make a difference. Scientifically, there’s little proof that home remedies will make a difference in how quickly stretch marks fade. However, you may want to try these:
Over-the-counter creams
Moisturizing creams massaged into stretch marks may help. In fact, research indicates massaging helps stretch marks fade. However, research has also shown that most ingredients in over-the-counter creams, including vitamin E, are ineffective at lightening stretch marks.
Self-tanners
Applying topical self-tanner can camouflage your stretch marks, making them blend in with the surrounding skin. Stick to the creams rather than the sun. Stretch marks don't tan like healthy skin, so exposure to the sun may make them more noticeable.
Glycolic acid
Some people report that glycolic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), can reduce stretch marks. Although glycolic acid can make scars, including stretch marks, less noticeable, it cannot completely eliminate them. However, some research shows that glycolic acid, used as a chemical peel, can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Body makeup
In many cases, the presence of stretch marks is genetic. However, you can reduce your risk of stretch marks by avoiding sudden weight gain or weight loss. Of course, this isn’t always possible—for example, rapid growth is expected and healthy during puberty or pregnancy.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
You should see a healthcare provider if you suddenly have stretch marks without a clear cause. In addition, if your stretch marks impact your mental health or ability to engage socially, talk with your healthcare provider. Healthcare providers can also help facilitate treatment for stretch marks, so contact your primary care provider or a dermatologist to discuss treatment options.
Summary
Red stretch marks are newer stretch marks. They may also appear purple or brown, depending on your skin tone, and are often raised and possibly itchy. They usually appear during or after periods of weight loss or weight gain. There’s no way to get rid of stretch marks entirely, but they will fade and become less noticeable over time.
Treatments, including laser treatment, may help them fade faster. Treatment is most effective when stretch marks are still new, so talk with your healthcare provider if you’re interested in trying it.
