Mitchell J. Mandel, MD, FAAD
Dermatologist, founder · All offices
Stretch marks
Medically reviewed by Mitchell J. Mandel, M.D., F.A.A.D., Board-Certified Dermatologist. Last reviewed .
Stretch marks are lines that form when skin stretches quickly, such as during pregnancy, growth spurts, weight changes or muscle building. They often start red, pink or purple and fade over time to lighter lines.
They are very common and harmless. Treatment cannot remove them completely, but it can make them less noticeable, and newer stretch marks usually respond best.
Treatments we use
- Prescription creams such as tretinoin, used off-label for some newer stretch marks. Avoid during pregnancy; discuss use during breastfeeding
- Laser treatments to reduce redness and improve texture, such as Fraxel
- Microneedling; radiofrequency microneedling such as Morpheus8 requires separate risk assessment because burns, scarring, fat loss and nerve injury have been reported
- Combinations of these over a series of treatments
Where it is offered
Offered at all of our offices.
Q&A
When is the best time to treat stretch marks?
Newer red or purple stretch marks tend to respond better than older white ones. If you are pregnant, we recommend waiting until after pregnancy and breastfeeding for most treatments.
How many treatments will I need?
Most people need a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart.
Who performs this treatment
Dustin Marks, MD, FAAD
Dermatologist · Upper East Side
Emily Tongdee, MD, FAAD
Dermatologist · Downtown Brooklyn
Emma Newman, PA-C
Physician assistant · Upper East Side
Grace Jarrett, PA-C
Physician assistant · Downtown Brooklyn
Leah Aminov, PA-C
Physician assistant · Greenvale
Karen Chen, PA-C
Physician assistant · Streeterville
Paige Yurick, PA-C
Physician assistant · Streeterville
Arielle Ades, DNP, FNP-BC
Nurse practitioner · Boulder
Francesca Raedel, FNP-BC
Nurse practitioner · Boulder
Jennifer Telgener, FNP-BC
Nurse practitioner · Boulder
Christine Sacco, FNP-C
Nurse practitioner · Palm Beach Gardens