Stretch marks are created when the skin has been stretched too far or too fast, such as during puberty, pregnancy, or weight loss. The hormone glucocorticoid is responsible for the development of stretch marks. It blocks the fibroblasts from producing collagen and elastin, both necessary to keep the skin taut. As the skin is stretched, the lack of supportive material leads to tearing of the dermis and epidermis.

Fractional laser light breaks down stretch marks and improves the appearance of the skin. The treatment is very comfortable and takes a few minutes. Multiple sessions might be necessary depending on the severity of the skin damage.

Microneedling also works very well at making stretch marks less visible due to its ability to stimulate new collagen fibers.