How can I get rid of stretch marks?

By Ann Linden, certified nurse-midwife [See Biography]

Question: Can I do anything to get rid of -- or at least lighten -- bad stretch marks?

Answer: First, you should know that your stretch marks will gradually become much less noticeable in the months after you give birth. But if they continue to bother you, consider making an appointment with a dermatologist to discuss treatment. Here are a few options:

If you're not breastfeeding, you can try using tretinoin cream (commonly known by the trade name Retin-A). A few studies have shown that applying 0.1 percent tretinoin cream may help with stretch marks.
In one study, using this cream reduced the length of the stretch marks by 14 percent and the width by 8 percent. In another study, it decreased the length by 20 percent. However, there's no good information about how the medication is absorbed, whether it gets excreted in your breast milk, and what effect it might have on your baby, so it's not safe to use while nursing. And because the cream works best relatively soon after delivery, while the marks still have their darker pigmentation, it may be too late to try it after your baby is weaned.

Laser therapy is another option if you're looking to improve the appearance of stretch marks postpartum. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, a surgeon will use different types of lasers depending on the color of the stretch marks. One type reduces the color of dark stretch marks and another stimulates the production of pigment-making cells in already faded stretch marks. A newer type of laser therapy can be used to stimulate the production of collagen and help restore the skin's elasticity in depressed stretch marks.

It's unlikely that your health insurance plan will cover such "cosmetic" procedures. So if you decide to go that route you'll probably have to pay for the consultation and any treatments out of your own pocket.