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If your bump is now a baby and your reflection has fresh stretch marks, this postpartum-focused guide runs through the six best treatments in the order they make sense during recovery. Some options are safe while breastfeeding; others have to wait. That distinction shapes the ranking.

Worth grounding yourself with first: stretch marks are dermal tears — literally microtears in the elastic layer beneath your skin. Postpartum marks are typically fresh, which is genuinely good news. Fresh marks fade well with topicals. Wait too long into recovery and they scar white, which is harder to reverse.

Key Takeaways

• Centella Asiatica and hyaluronic acid are the two ingredients you want to look for in any stretch mark serum.
• Prescription retinoids (like tretinoin) can work as well, but they’re not safe while pregnant.
• Professional treatments like laser therapy, microneedling, and PRP injections all show promise.
• Start with the best stretch mark cream and only consider more intensive treatments if needed.
• The top-ranked topical on this list is a great starting point for pregnant women in particular.
• Timing matters. Red/purple stretch marks respond to treatment better than older white ones.

6 Best Treatments For Stretch Marks According to Dermatologists and Clinical Studies

This ranking pulls from PubMed dermatology research and interviews with board-certified dermatologists — vetted for postpartum safety along the way. Sequence matters: gentle options first, professional interventions later once weaning is complete.

1. 8 Sheep Organics (Hyaluronic Acid + Centella Asiatica)

The recovery starting point for a specific reason: the formula centers on two ingredients the AAD itself has endorsed as evidence-backed for stretch mark reduction.

• Centella asiatica: Stimulates fibroblasts (the cells that make connective tissue) and rebuilds the structure of the skin through collagen synthesis. It’s among the strongest ingredients for stretch marks according to clinical trials.¹
• Triple-weighted hyaluronic acid: Can stimulate fibroblast activity and collagen production, all while pushing hydration deep into the layers of skin that need it most as it’s stretched to its limit.²

USA small-batch production, clean ingredient list, safe while nursing. Application isn’t belly-only — works across hips, thighs, breasts, and arms, all common postpartum sites.

A 3-month satisfaction guarantee sits behind it. No other option here refunds you if it doesn’t deliver, which is worth something during an already-expensive recovery period.

2. Bio-Oil (Vitamin A + E)

Bio-Oil is another safe-during-nursing topical, and you’ve almost certainly seen the bottle at the pharmacy. Mineral oil base with vitamins A and E and plant extracts.

A 2018 International Journal of Cosmetic Science study reported 20% self-assessed improvement from a Bio-Oil-style blend over 8 weeks.⁸ Postpartum honesty: placebo delivered 6% in the same study, so the actual differential is smaller than casual reads suggest.

The bigger recovery-limitation is depth. Mineral oil mostly stays surface-level rather than reaching the dermis where marks originate. More detail in our Bio-Oil vs Mederma blog piece.

3. Prescription Retinoids (Such as Tretinoin)

Hold this one until you’ve finished breastfeeding. Prescription tretinoin isn’t safe during pregnancy or lactation. First-few-weeks side effects include peeling and irritation as your skin adjusts.

The evidence justifies the wait. A 1996 study found 80% of daily-users saw definite or marked improvement over six months, with marks reduced 14% in length and 8% in width.³

Dr. Geeta Yadav, a Toronto-based board-certified dermatologist, sets postpartum expectations honestly: “While retinoids won’t ‘erase’ stretch marks, they have the ability to stimulate collagen production and cellular turnover, which will make stretch marks look better faster than they would if you hadn’t treated them.”¹⁰

4. Laser Therapy

Where postpartum recovery hits the professional-treatment tier. Reserve laser for marks that’ve fully whitened and stopped responding to topicals.

Two research-supported laser types:

• Fractional CO2 laser
• Pulsed dye laser

Fractional CO2 delivered 51–75% improvement in nearly half of white-mark patients in one study.⁴ A separate study rated it comparable to microneedling in outcomes.⁵

Recovery-cost reality: $200 to well over $1,000 per session, 3–6 sessions typical, no insurance participation, no guaranteed outcome.

5. Microneedling

Parallel to laser in the postpartum toolkit. Fine needles create controlled micro-injuries, provoking your body’s own collagen and elastin repair response — which fits well with a recovery mindset overall.

A meta-analysis of 11 clinical studies confirmed real stretch mark improvement, whether microneedling was used solo or paired with other therapies.⁶

Painful, and expensive at up to $700 per session. Standard protocol is 4–6 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart — a multi-month recovery commitment.

Postpartum note: don’t buy an at-home dermaroller as a workaround. They can’t reach the dermis. Professional needles run 1.5–2.5 mm deep.

6. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatment

The newest postpartum option, and the least established. Blood is drawn, spun to concentrate platelets, and the plasma is injected directly into the stretch marks. Growth factors are meant to activate collagen repair from inside.

One clinical study meaningfully supports it. Four PRP sessions improved appearance with elevated fibronectin in the skin — real structural repair, not just cosmetic change.⁷

Session cost: $500–$1,000, with a 4–8 session minimum. Wait until you’re well into postpartum recovery before starting.

Timing is Everything With Stretch Mark Treatment

The best treatment depends on where you are in postpartum recovery and how old the marks are. Fresh postpartum = topicals do the job. Late = professional procedures once nursing is complete.

Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a board-certified dermatologist, points to prevention first, but the same logic applies to early recovery: “I encourage massage with emollients that help promote circulation and potentially minimize the chance of stretch marks.”⁹

If your postpartum marks are still red or purple, you’ve got a real window with centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid topicals. Once they turn silvery white, the collagen has scarred fully — laser and microneedling become the primary options.

Recovery consistency beats product-swapping every time. Pick a proven serum like 8 Sheep Organics True Belly Serum, apply it daily throughout recovery, and let 90 days pass before judging results.

Frequently asked questions

Can you 100% get rid of stretch marks?

No, even with aggressive postpartum treatment. Realistic goal is fading marks to near-invisibility — the underlying dermal tears usually don’t fully heal.

What is the most effective product for stretch marks?

For nursing moms: centella asiatica plus triple-weighted hyaluronic acid, the pairing behind 8 Sheep Organics landing at #1 for postpartum use.

What do dermatologists recommend for stretch marks?

Recovery-safe first: pregnancy-safe topicals now, prescription retinoids after breastfeeding, then laser resurfacing, microneedling, or PRP for stubborn marks.

References

1. 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.

2. Ud-Din S, McGeorge D, Bayat A. “Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae.” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2016;30(2):211-222.

3. Kang S, et al. “Topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) improves early stretch marks.” Archives of Dermatology. 1996;132(5):519-526.

4. Elsaie ML, et al. “Striae distensae (stretch marks) and different modalities of therapy: an update.” Dermatologic Surgery/Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy. 2013.

5. Saki N, et al. “Comparing the efficacy of fractional carbon dioxide laser with microneedling in the treatment of striae alba: A randomized clinical trial.” Dermatologic Therapy. 2022;35(1):e15212.

6. Sun Q, Jia H, Huang R. “A systematic review and meta-analysis of microneedle treatment for striae distensae.” Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2024.

7. Hodeib AA, et al. “A clinical and immunohistochemical comparative study of the efficacy of carboxytherapy vs platelet-rich plasma in treatment of stretch marks.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2018;17(6):1008-1015.

8. Bielfeldt S, et al. “Randomized controlled study for the assessment of the cosmetic efficacy of a combination cosmetic product for the improvement of scar and striae appearance.” International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2018;40(1):81-86.

9. The Healthy. “How Dermatologists Treat and Prevent Stretch Marks.”

10. NBC News Select. “The Best Stretch Mark Creams, According to Experts.”

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