If you read our guide on the stretch mark color meaning, then you already know how tricky white stretch mark removal is. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible - just that the window of opportunity has started to close. Those silvery-white lines on your belly, hips, or thighs have settled beyond the surface and into the deeper skin tissue. They’re closer to scars at this point.
You can still learn how to remove white stretch marks. But you’ll have to set your expectations. Even the top-rated stretch mark creams may not be enough. Start with something like 8 Sheep Organics stretch mark serum, and if that doesn’t work, you may have to explore professional treatments such as lasers or microneedling. Learn more below.
Key Takeaways
- Stretch marks start out red/purple (striae rubrae) but eventually turn white/silver (striae albae).
- White stretch marks are harder to improve than fresh ones, but that doesn’t mean impossible.
- Topicals with centella asiatica (like 8 Sheep Organics stretch mark products) have the most clinical evidence.
- Microneedling, fractional laser, PRP, and radiofrequency can help stimulate collagen in the dermis where white stretch marks live.
- Prevention is key. It’s easy to treat stretch marks while they’re still red or purple.
Understanding White Stretch Marks
Stretch marks can happen during puberty, pregnancy, or anytime the skin expands past its breaking point. Growth spurts, rapid weight gain - whatever the case, the skin eventually gives way, and a tiny tear occurs within the dermis layer of the skin.
Not all types of stretch marks respond to the same treatment, though. That’s why it’s important to look at red and white stretch mark removal differently.
Stretch marks start red, purple, or pink. The color is there because of blood vessels still moving through the area. In other words, they’re still active. Your body is attempting to repair the tissue.
Eventually, those red/purple/pink stretch marks become white or silver. The blood vessels have shrunk back and the inflammation has cleared. What remains is more or less a scar - and as you can imagine, scarring is a little harder to repair than an active “wound.” The skin is now thinner and feels different to the touch. There’s less collagen there.
Is White Stretch Mark Removal Possible?
We don’t want to discourage you from attempting white stretch mark removal. Because it is definitely still possible. But it’s a different battle than addressing fresh stretch marks.
The goal at this point is not necessarily complete removal, but rather, diminishing their appearance as much as possible. You can still improve the texture, pigment, and depth.
Dr. Uwe Wollina and Dr. Alberto Goldman said in a peer reviewed analysis that “early stretch marks, i.e., striae rubrae, respond better to treatment than the older lesions.”1 But with the right combination of topical care and professional treatment, you can improve the appearance of older marks.
How to Remove White Stretch Marks
There are two distinct paths for white stretch mark removal: topical solutions and professional treatments. It’s worth trying the more accessible option - topical treatment - first, and then exploring the more expensive treatments if need be.
Try a Topical Solution First
The problem with most drugstore lotions with a stretch mark label is they merely sit on the surface, providing a little of moisturization and nothing more. Even the products that claim to support stretch marks - cocoa butter, shea butter, etc. - don’t really move the needle.
So what really works? Your best if you’re hoping to figure out how to remove white stretch marks at home is using something that contains centella asiatica (AKA gotu kola). It supports collagen production within the dermis where white stretch marks actually live.
There’s solid research for centella asiatica, too. One study found that women who used centella asiatica had fewer stretch marks than women who did not use it. Women who had pre-existing marks from puberty saw prevention rates of nearly 90%!2 A follow-up study years later confirmed the initial findings. Only 5.6% of the treated group developed new marks compared to 35%.3
The other ingredient worth using is hyaluronic acid. Ideally, use multiple weights of it so you get more than just surface-level hydration. This humectant pulls moisture deep into the skin and plumps the tissue in which stretch marks sit.
Using this combination - centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid - targets both the structure (collagen) and hydration (elasticity) for a two-pronged approach to white stretch mark removal. It’s why we use both in our formula here at 8 Sheep Organics, which has widely been considered the best belly oil for pregnancy. It works wonders for anyone with stretch marks, though!
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has said the combination may help prevent stretch marks, and we’ve found that it can help with existing marks as well.4 The pregnancy stretch mark oil is handcrafted in small batches here in the USA and comes backed by a three-month money-back guarantee.
Professional Treatments to Explore
Like we said from the start, white stretch mark removal may call for professional treatment. So if the topical approach doesn’t yield the results you want, you can talk to your dermatologist about one of the following options.
Microneedling
Tiny needles penetrate the skin to create controlled micro-injuries, essentially ramping up your body’s natural healing response. This brings more collagen and elastin to the “injury site,” which ideally, is used on the stretch marks themselves.
Microneedling is a great option if you want results without the higher cost and downtime of some of the other professional treatments for white stretch marks. You’ll typically do 3-6 sessions, spaced around 4 weeks apart.
Laser Treatment
Fractional CO2 laser is among the most studied treatments for white stretch mark removal. The laser creates microscopic channels of controlled damage in the skin, ultimately getting to the same place as microneedling - stimulating the body’s own healing response.
Expect 3-5 sessions with some redness and peeling for a few days after each one. A study compared microneedling to fractional CO2 laser for white stretch marks and found both produced good results with no dramatic advantage for one over the other.5
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP takes a concentrated sample of your own blood platelets and injects them into the stretch mark area. Those platelets then release growth factors, which, in theory, kickstart tissue repair. We don’t have a ton of research on PRP for white stretch marks, but early evidence is promising. It’s usually a 3-4 session protocol.
Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy
RF pushes heat energy into deeper skin layers to remodel collagen without breaking the surface. It’s a popular choice for white stretch marks, and according to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Olga Bachilo, it works. “Radio-frequency microneedling works to decrease existing marks.”6 To that point, RF is typically paired with microneedling for better results.
Address Red Stretch Marks BEFORE They Turn White!
It may be too late to treat some white marks that have become permanent scars. But the best thing you can do is prevent them in the first place going forward.
Watch for the early signs of stretch marks: itching, skin tightness, slight discoloration, or a faint ripple in the skin's texture. That's your window to begin using a stretch mark cream. You know what they say - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Frequently Asked Questions
How old are stretch marks if they are white?
Generally 6-12 months or older. The transition from red to purple to white is slow. It depends on skin tone, depth, and where the stretch marks are on your body.
Do white stretch marks ever fade on their own?
No. They may become less visible over the years, but complete white stretch mark removal calls for a proactive approach - and even then, it’s more about fading down to a less noticeable appearance than complete removal.
Is it possible to remove white stretch marks?
Yes, albeit more difficult than red stretch marks. You can start with topical treatment (centella asiatica + hyaluronic acid) and give it a good three months. If you don’t see progress, your only option may be professional treatment (microneedling, laser, PRP, etc.).
What cream is good for white stretch marks?
8 Sheep Organics makes the best stretch mark cream with two proven ingredients: centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid. It’s pregnancy-safe, handcrafted in small batches, and backed by a three-month satisfaction guarantee.
What professional treatments can help white stretch marks?
Microneedling, fractional CO2 laser, PRP, and radiofrequency therapy all have clinical evidence for improving white stretch marks. A dermatologist can help you weigh your options.
How long does white stretch mark removal take?
It depends on how old the stretch marks are and how deep they are within the dermis. It can take anywhere from 8-12 weeks to start noticing a change. A lot of professional treatments involve 3-6 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
Bottom Line on White Stretch Mark Removal
That does it for our guide on how to remove white stretch marks. Don’t be discouraged by the fact that many people say removal of white stretch marks isn’t possible. You can still fade their appearance to the point that they are unnoticeable. You just need to act now. Take the next step with 8 Sheep Organics!
References
- Wollina U, Goldman A. "Management of stretch marks (with a focus on striae rubrae)." Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2017;10(3):124-129. PubMed
- Mallol J, et al. "Prophylaxis of Striae gravidarum with a topical formulation. A double blind trial." International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1991;13(1):51-57. Wiley
- Garcia Hernandez JA, et al. "Use of a specific anti-stretch mark cream for preventing or reducing the severity of striae gravidarum." International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2013;35(3):233-237. Wiley
- American Academy of Dermatology. "Stretch marks: Why they appear and how to get rid of them." AAD
- Comparison of microneedling versus CO2 fractional laser for striae alba: A randomized clinical trial. 2021. PubMed
- Bachilo O. Quoted in "4 In-Office Solutions for Red and White Stretch Marks." NewBeauty. NewBeauty
