Can losing weight reduce stretch marks?

Author: Richard Brown  |  Last update: Thursday, November 6, 2025

This lowers the chance of developing both excess skin and the appearance of stretch marks. Losing weight won't make stretch marks go away. Instead, time is one of the best tools you have to reduce the appearance of stretch marks (along with some of the treatments we've rounded up below).

Are stretch marks because of weight gain?

Stretch marks are caused when the skin rapidly stretches as a result of sudden growth or weight gain. This causes the middle layer of skin (dermis) to tear, allowing the deeper skin layers to show through, forming stretch marks. The dermis contains fibres that allow your skin to stretch as your body grows.

Is it possible to reduce stretch marks?

In general, treating stretch marks is difficult. Treatment improves the appearance of stretch marks, but they may not go away completely. Addressing your stretch marks when they first appear yields the best results. Older, deep stretch marks may be more challenging to treat.

Is losing 7 pounds noticeable?

CDC further recommends that you need to lose around 5-10% of your total body weight to notice changes. For instance, if you weigh 170 pounds, you need to lose roughly 8.3-17 pounds to notice a difference. The results should also be measured after at least three months, for certainty.

Which body part loses fat first?

Mostly, losing weight is an internal process. You will first lose hard fat that surrounds your organs like liver, kidneys and then you will start to lose soft fat like waistline and thigh fat. The fat loss from around the organs makes you leaner and stronger.

My 100lb Weight Loss & Loose Skin - How Fasting Helped My Stretch Marks & Loose Skin

How did my stretch marks go away?

Stretch marks usually fade over time but may not disappear completely. Many creams and lotions claim to prevent, reduce or remove stretch marks. But there's very little evidence these work. There are some treatments that may help make stretch marks look better, but they will not get rid of them.

How do celebrities get rid of stretch marks?

Radiofrequency Treatments

Allure reports that RF treatments use energy to heat the skin's deeper layers, stimulating collagen and elastin production. This process tightens the skin and reduces the appearance of stretch marks by improving skin elasticity and texture.

How can I shrink my stretch marks?

In two large studies, applying hyaluronic acid to early stretch marks made the stretch marks less noticeable. Tretinoin is a retinoid, which may also make early stretch marks less noticeable. In one study, people who applied this prescription cream every night for 24 weeks had less noticeable stretch marks.

Am I overweight if I have stretch marks?

Stretch marks are a normal part of puberty for most people. People who are obese often have stretch marks. Bodybuilders can get stretch marks because of the quick body changes that can come with bodybuilding.

How can I remove a stretch mark naturally?

Can stretch marks be removed at home?
  1. Method 1: Massage. One of the most effective ways to combat skin imperfections at home is through massage. ...
  2. Method 2: Exercise. ...
  3. Method 3: Nutrition. ...
  4. Method 4: Using creams and oils. ...
  5. Method 5: Using aloe vera. ...
  6. Method 6: Exfoliation. ...
  7. Method 7: Masking. ...
  8. Method 8: Regular skin care.

What is considered rapid weight loss?

Losing more than 1 or 2 lb (0.5 to 1 kg) a week is not safe for most people. It can cause you to lose muscle, water, and bone density. Rapid weight loss can also cause some side effects including: Gallstones.

Do stretch marks go away with exercise?

Increased Blood Flow. Exercise does promote increased blood circulation, which can improve the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the skin. This enhanced blood flow theoretically aids in the healing and repair of damaged skin, potentially leading to the fading of stretch marks.

Do dark inner thighs go away with weight loss?

Losing weight will help acanthosis nigricans fade. If you're concerned about your weight, talk to your doctor before going on a diet. Doctors may prescribe creams or lotions that can help lighten the skin. But most of the time, acanthosis nigricans doesn't need treatment.

What do purple stretch marks mean?

The skin is stretched as a consequence of underlying tissue expansion. There is an inflammatory reaction in the skin that is responsible for the characteristic red or purple colour. The inflammation eventually fades and is replaced by scar tissue.

How much does it cost to remove stretch marks?

The average cost of stretch marks removal treatment ranges from INR 3000 to INR 8,000. Chemical peels typically range from INR 2,500 to INR 4,000, while laser treatment for stretch marks can range from INR 5,000 to INR 8,000 per session.

Can you flatten stretch marks?

Fractional microneedling radiofrequency (FMR)

While penetrating into the skin, microneedles apply radiofrequency energy, inducing collagen and elastin production. After at least 4 monthly sessions, stretch mark width has been shown to be reduced.

How do models have no stretch marks?

The magazines that publish these photographs do significant editing and retouching to make their models appear to be perfect when they're anything but. Models, like regular people, struggle with blemishes, skin unevenness, and stretch marks, but with makeup and Photoshop, those imperfections can be easily covered up.

Will stretch marks go away if I lose weight?

In general, stretch marks from weight loss fade or disappear completely on their own. Sometimes rapid weight loss can actually cause stretch marks because of excess skin weighing down on the healthy skin.

What age do most people get stretch marks?

It's common for stretch marks to appear during teen years when rapid growth of weight gain occurs. Other factors that make teens predisposed to stretch marks appearing include a genetic risk or family history of stretch marks, pregnancy, being overweight or obese, or topical or oral steroids, like prednisone.

Can vaseline remove stretch marks?

Can Vaseline remove stretch marks? While Vaseline can help to moisturise the skin and improve its overall appearance, it is unlikely to completely remove stretch marks. Using Vaseline in combination with other treatments can help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks over time.

What body part is the hardest to lose fat?

The abdomen is often one of the hardest places to lose body fat, particularly because of its deep connection to these hormonal processes.

How much weight loss is noticeable?

These changes might be subtle at first—like your clothes fitting a bit looser or noticing a slight difference in the mirror. Even if the transformation isn't dramatic right away, it's a sign that your efforts are paying off. A noticeable difference often comes after losing about 5% of your body weight.

What is V fat?

Visceral fat is belly fat found deep within your abdominal cavity. It surrounds important organs, including your stomach, liver and intestines. It's different than subcutaneous fat, which is fat just below your skin. Visceral fat is actually more dangerous to your health.

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