If you’re not sure what stretch marks are and find yourself asking “Why do I have stretch marks on my bum?!”, you’ll want to have a read of Part 1 – Why Do I Have Stretch Marks?.

If you’re here to find out what you can do about the tiger stripes already splashed across your hips and bum, read on.

Stretch marks on bum
Stretch marks on the buttocks cheeks – a common affliction of women everywhere! image credit: Lanzi (cropped) via Wikimedia Commons cc

What Can I Do To Prevent Stretch Marks?

Keep skin nourished so that it has optimal regeneration conditions. This means moisturizing, ensuing you have a nutrient rich balanced diet and are well hydrated.

Manually stimulating the skin in problem areas by massage or skin brushing (which also helps with cellulite) can increase the blood flow to the area and will assist with skin regeneration and remodeling.

massage brush to treat stretch marks

If at all possible, attempt to slow down the rate of growth of the tissues underlying the skin – if attempting to gain or lose weight then do so as a gradual process rather than all at once. This will give the skin a chance to expand with the underlying tissues without being stretched too rapidly.

How Can I Treat Stretch Marks?

If you’ve already got stretch marks, you can diminish their appearance. The marks will naturally fade by themselves to an extent, however for most people they will remain visible as silvery white scarring.

There are several options available to you if you are trying to fade your stretch marks:

Creams

There are a multitude of creams out there that claim to tailor to stretch mark treatment or prevention.

Products can vary in effectiveness, so I recommend doing your research and finding some quality, independent reviews before spending your hard earned cash.

Here are some popular (and positively reviewed) creams available on Amazon.com, and they are fairly affordable at around the $20 price point:

[amazon_link asins=’B00OTZ28DE,B00KLBH5XI,B00O14R17Q,B01MG9CZ6I’ template=’ProductGrid’ store=’thebetbutcha-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d4601ace-cb5b-11e7-b4d6-ef641df6a253′]

One that I particularly like though, is the one below, which has really good user reviews and is also vegan, cruelty free, and made in the US! It’s a little more expensive though, so you might want to do your own research before buying:

[amazon_link asins=’B01N5BCIU0′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’thebetbutcha-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’61c8f978-cb5c-11e7-81a5-a5ad144ffb07′]

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive process where the skin is inflicted with minor damage by an abrasive material such as very fine crystals or particles to slough off the outer layers of skin and initiate a repair response.

The downsides? Though there are at-home microdermabrasion kits available, you’ll most likely need to go to a salon to get a ‘proper’ treatment and many repeat treatments will be necessary to notice improvements – which can get costly.

I much prefer the next option, skin needling.

Skin Needling

Skin needling, also known as ‘dermarolling’, works by pricking the skin with fine needles to break up the scar tissue and stimulate the skin to repair by introducing minor damage to the skin.

Below is an example of what the needled rollers look like; yes they may seem very medieval-torture-device-like(!), but they feel a bit more like someone scratching across your skin.

[amazon_link asins=’B076PCPNMG’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’thebetbutcha-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’90945774-cb5c-11e7-976b-ad8aa77a5668′]

Dermarollers like the above one, can be used to break up scar tissue – which reduces the appearance of stretch marks.

Newly formed skin is more supple and displaces the existing scar tissue. The cons to this treatment option is that it can be painful to administer.

Progress can also be very slow, but it can be done at home for just the cost of your dermarolling/needling equipment.

Below is a kindle book which talks about using Dermarolling for scar treatment, as well as a longer 2mm dermaroller (you generally need to use longer needles for scar tissue – especially on areas like the butt where the tissue is thicker).

[amazon_link asins=’B00LY4WNRO,B07221FSQ1′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’thebetbutcha-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’e6491bb8-cb5c-11e7-a72b-af99510ecc9b’]

This example shows the improvements that can be had with skin needling – I’m sure you’ll agree with me that they’re nothing short of impressive!

Laser Surgery

Laser surgery is probably the fastest way to fade stretch marks, but also one of the most costly options.

You’ll likely need a few sessions to see the best results. This method works by using laser light of a particular frequency and energy to break up skin molecules in the scar tissue in a process called ablation. New skin cells will form in place of the old scar tissue.

Laser surgery can’t be done at home though. You’ll need to inquire at your local clinic or beauty salon if you want to pursue this option.

Carboxytherapy

Carboxytherapy, also known as carbon dioxide therapy, works by injecting carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the area affected by stretch marks. In a clinical setting, a medical professional uses a specialized machine to regulate the flow of CO₂ through a syringe and into the stretch marked skin.

Carbon dioxide is part of the gases that we naturally exhale. When present in our body, this gas tells our system that it requires additional oxygen. By signaling the need for oxygen, CO₂ increases blood flow. Increases in blood flow can have several benefits, including speeding up the healing of injuries.

Stretch marks are caused by tearing in the middle layer of skin which lets the blood vessels in deeper layers of the skin show through. By encouraging blood flow to the targeted area and increasing skin elasticity, carboxytherapy speeds up this skin’s healing process. This healing helps to manage the appearance of stretch marks, making them less noticeable.

Before and after examples of carboxytherapy used to treat stretch marks. Image supplied by Zwivel

In carboxytherapy, treatments are usually spaced one week apart, with seven to ten treatments of 15 to 30 minute each required for optimal results. Following each injection, there is little in the way of downtime. However, submerging the body in water should be avoided for a couple of hours as the CO₂ disperses.

Conclusion

These are just a few ways that you can improve the appearance of your stretch marks. With enough dedication, I would say that all cases can be visually improved, and it doesn’t have to cost the earth – there are definitely lower cost options out there.

The important thing to realize is that every case of stretch marks is unique, and this means that your response to different treatments will also be unique. Do your research and experiment to find out what works for you, but know that it is very possible to improve the appearance of your stretch marks.

 

If you suffer from stretch marks – how do you feel about them? Have you tried any stretch mark treatments, and what have you found to be effective? Let me know in the comments below!

Preventing and Treating Stretch Marks

14 thoughts on “Preventing and Treating Stretch Marks

  • October 16, 2014 at 8:53 pm
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    I really like this site. As I age it seems to be harder to keep the desired “look”. I’m really enjoying roaming around your site.
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • October 16, 2014 at 1:26 pm
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      Julie, I know from experience that all of a sudden it can be a shock to discover that you have to ‘work’ to maintain the way things look back there, lol. Unfortunately it’s an inevitable side effect of aging, but that doesn’t mean we can’t fight it all the way!

      Reply
  • July 29, 2016 at 1:42 am
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    I do have stretch marks on my bum and I am only 14 years old turning 15 this October. I’m so self concious about this, wearing bikini bottoms is no longer an option to me. Finally doing some research I feel way better about this!

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    • July 30, 2016 at 11:19 am
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      Hi Blaise, definitely don’t feel bad or self conscious – stretch marks are so, SO common in nearly all females. I remember noticing mine at around 15 or 16 but they have faded a little since then. Moisturizing can help but I think the most permanent and cheap solution I’ve come across in my research seems to be dermarolling/needling. I haven’t done this myself though, because mine are not too bad that I am bothered by them anymore, so I must confess I get lazy when it comes to trying to do something about them!
      Good luck xoxx
      Jolie

      Reply
  • August 5, 2017 at 3:58 am
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    I just noticed them a little while ago when i was at the beach and now i am afraid to go swimming! I just turned 14 this july! Ughh what a hastle this is going to be!

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    • August 8, 2017 at 9:37 am
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      Don’t feel bad Marlena, I remember feeling about the same as you when I first noticed mine at around 16! Get yourself a good lotion or cream and apply it regularly – it will help them fade. And don’t forget that most females have stretch marks and most people actually won’t even notice yours.
      Hope this helps – if all else fails, you can always opt for some cute boardshorts or a sarong!

      Reply
  • November 13, 2017 at 4:07 pm
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    Pls jolie how many pple did u recommend this 4!! nd moreover what kind of lotion

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    • November 14, 2017 at 2:33 am
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      Hi Precious

      If you plan on having a go at using something like the dermaroller, then you should never share the roller with other people- each individual should get their own roller.

      As for lotions, some of the ones that I linked in this post have been seeing some good user reviews on Amazon! Everyone’s body is unique though, so some people tend to respond better to different things. For example, a few of my friends and family absolutely SWEAR by Bio Oil for their scars (including stretchmarks) and I can see their results where their scars have nearly all but vanished. However, I personally don’t like Bio Oil that much as it never seemed to do much for my scars/stretch marks.

      Sometimes you just have to experiment with a few different products to find one that works best for you. Good luck!

      Reply
  • March 20, 2018 at 12:58 pm
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    I have streatch marks and I am 13 becoming 14 this June. I don’t work so I can’t buy anything. I am jus a little embarrassed by them. Though I know that they are very common, I don’t see them on my friends when we are changing for PE. So I don’t know what to do. Please help me

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    • March 23, 2018 at 4:31 pm
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      Hi Anne,
      Don’t forget that we tend to look at our own bodies much more closely than anyone else ever would! So it’s definitely possible that your friends do have stretch marks too, but you probably just can’t get close enough to see them (maybe don’t try this, it might lead to some akwardness hahah!).
      As for treatments, some creams may work (but always check reviews first as there are lots out there that are just a waste of money), and if you’re dedicated, dermarolling/needling can defintely show improvements too. I hope this helps.

      Reply
  • July 19, 2018 at 11:05 pm
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    hi, im twelve and i just noticed my stretchmarks while looking in the mirror the other day. i’m so embarrassed and i feel like i’m wayyy too young to have them. i’m now super self conscious about myself and my mom told me that when i’m older it will get worse and i will be embarrassed when i have a husband. Is it normal at my age? by the time i get married, will it still be noticeable?

    Reply
    • July 21, 2018 at 1:35 am
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      Hi Brie,
      First of all, stretch marks are completely normal and I would guess that more women have them than don’t. I haven’t heard that they get worse as you get older. They are caused by your skin growing/’stretching’ too fast – that’s why they commonly develop during puberty when your body is doing a lot of growing in a short time! Don’t be self-conscious about stretch marks, it’s an unattainable standard for all women not to have any blemishes. You can try using moisturizers to help keep your skin nourished and help with healing any stretch marks – in my experience, they generally tend to lighten and become less noticeable over time, not darken. Also, when you get married, I’m sure it will be to a man who loves you for who you are on the inside, not some superficial minor thing like if you have stretch marks or not. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  • July 28, 2018 at 10:00 am
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    I’m 14 and i have just noticed stretch marks on my bum, even though I am really skinny. Why ?

    Reply
    • August 1, 2018 at 10:46 am
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      Hi Catherine, you might want to check out this post on what causes stretch marks to get a better understanding of why they form. I too am quite skinny but got stretch marks during puberty – it’s because your body is growing a lot in a relatively short amount of time (even though you probably don’t notice it, since you see your body everyday!). This commbined with hormones that are increased during puberty can result in stretch marks being formed in many many females. This is because your skin needs to expand quite rapidly to keep up with the expanding tissues underneath as your body grows.

      Reply

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