Stretch marks (striae) form when the deeper dermal support structure of the skin is stretched beyond what collagen and elastin fibers can comfortably tolerate.
This commonly happens during:
Early stretch marks are often red, pink, or purple. Mature marks usually fade into white or silver lines and may become textured, thin, or slightly indented.
Newer marks and older marks often require different treatment strategies.
Although it is true that women are more prone to stretch marks than men, they can be seen in both genders. It is common for stretch marks to fade over time but they will often still be visible and cause many people who have them distress. Stretch marks are not a health concern, since they are not in any way harmful or painful but many patients dislike them because they feel they look unflattering. At my clinic where I provide stretch mark removal in the Greater Toronto area of Mississauga , I find that female patients who are pregnant are particularly concerned with long term solutions to prevent stretch marks and stretch mark treatment.
Stretch marks are not dangerous, however, appearance of idiopathic stretch marks can be an indicator of other potential problems in the body including an increase in cortisol levels. Seeing your physician to discuss your medical history and complete additional testing is not a bad idea if you start noticing stretch marks that are occurring fast and without a known reason.
We assess more than the marks themselves.
Your treatment plan may consider:
Because for many patients, improving stretch marks alone is only part of the answer.
Many people have stretch marks that are indented streaks and are only slightly discoloured. Others can have pink or bluish stretch marks, especially if their skin is already fair in complexion. Most people that I see with stretch marks usually aquire them during a cycle of weight gain and then consequent weight loss where the skin is stretched quickly but does not have enough collagen and elastin to handle the rapid expansion.
The dermis, or middle layer of the skin is damaged by this rapid expansion and forms scars. This can also be seen during pregnancy in younger women. For men, I provide stretch marks treatment on the arms, chest and legs, again based on weight gain and loss.
I also see men who have gained muscle mass or lost muscle mass and the process has given them stretch marks due to reduced elastin and collagen content in the skin. When young people go through rapid growth spurts during the teen years, it is not uncommon for them to develop stretch marks. And with this weight gain and weight loss process, it is inevitable for them to naturally develop stretch marks.
The severity of stretch marks that you have and their colour is dependent on a number of factors including your genetic makeup, the amount of stress on your skin, your age and your cortisol levels. Cortisol, (stress hormone) has the tendency to weaken the elastic fibers within the skin and contributes to stretch mark formation.
Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to remodel deeper tissue and stimulate collagen.
Excellent for:
Fractora helps improve superficial texture and stimulate collagen renewal for smoother-looking skin.
Secret PRO offers customizable collagen stimulation and resurfacing strategies for visible textural improvement.
Fractional CO2 Laser may be recommended for more established or texturally significant stretch marks requiring stronger resurfacing.
truSculpt can help reduce stubborn fat pockets and improve body contour in areas where stretch marks are paired with shape concerns.
Often valuable after pregnancy or weight loss.
truFlex helps strengthen and tone abdominal, gluteal, or body musculature.
For some patients, stronger underlying muscle tone improves the overall appearance of the treatment area and complements skin remodeling.
PRP may be incorporated in select cases to support healing response and tissue renewal.
There are a number of professional treatment paths for stretch marks, some work better than others, and a combination of treatments is recommended for optimal results.
Retinoid creams are all derived from vitamin A, their pharmaceutical names include Tretinoin, Renova, Avita and Retin-A. Retinoids have demonstrated in numerous clinical studies that they are relatively effective in the treatment of stretch marks. This is because Retinoids are known to promote both elastin and collagen production.
I recommend to my patients that for stretch marks treatment they massage 0.1% Tretinoin into the lesioned area nightly but need to consult with them first to ensure that my recommendations are appropriate for their skin tone and where they fall on the Fitzpatrick Skin Type, (skin colour).
The creams I recommend work best on stretch marks that are recent. They can help to rebuild collagen but can be irritating to the skin and should not be used if pregnant or breast feeding. Be sure to check with your physician before applying these professional grade products to your skin. We can also use retinoid acid peels; please book a consultation for stretch marks removal in the greater Toronto area at our clinic to discuss if this option is best suited for you or not!
At Dr. Bector Cosmetics, we can administer a glycolic acid treatment in higher doses than those purchased as an over the counter cream. I will usually administer 3 to 4 peels over the course of a few months to produce significant changes in the width, length and colour/intensity of the stretch marks.
Glycolic Acid peels should be administered in a medical office where staff understand the Fitzpatrick Scale and use the appropriate concentrations depending on skin colour. Retiniods and glycolic peels can be used in combination to achieve stronger results for stretch marks treatment.
Laser being one of the other means for stretch marks treatment can also be opted for. There are many lasers on the market that are able to stimulate the formation of collagen and elastin in your skin. Vascular lasers (acting on the vessels in the body) offer some incredible outcomes when used for the treatment of stretch marks that are newly formed and still red, pink or purple.
Over time, these stretch marks will become white and will flatten out and at this stage a vascular laser will not be as effective. To treat stretch marks that have turned into a white colour, a Fractional laser may give great improvements. White stretch marks however are often difficult to completely eradicate
Platelet Rich Plasma, (PRP – a product made from your own blood) combined with micro-needling into the area affected by stretch marks is an effective way to lighten the area of scarring in stretch marks. PRP is rich in growth factors and promotes the formation of new collagen and elastin as well as decreasing inflammation, and the micro needling causes micro injury which promotes cell turnover and renewal of the skin.
I have a preference for this eminent methodology for stretch marks removal at my clinic in the Toronto area, because there is low risk of side effects as the PRP is produced from your own blood and is neutral in terms of skin colour. The treatment with PRP and micro needling is followed up with 2 to 3 more sessions of micro needling alone, spaced 1 month apart.
Pregnancy can change the abdomen, breasts, hips, and skin in lasting ways.
Many women lose the baby weight yet still feel frustrated by stretch marks, loose skin, reduced core tone, or a body that no longer feels like their own.
Those feelings are common—and valid.
Wanting improvement does not diminish what your body accomplished.
It simply means you matter too.
For many patients, postpartum treatment is less about looking “perfect” and more about feeling confident, strong, and reconnected to themselves again.
Patients using Semaglutide or Tirzepatide often achieve major health wins.
But faster body composition change can reveal:
This is common—and treatable.
For many patients, skin and body refinement becomes the next phase of transformation.
Stretch marks are typically improved, not erased.
Patients commonly notice:
Even moderate improvement can feel significant.
If your stretch marks are pink, red or purple they are still fresh and will respond better to treatment than when they turn a whitish silver colour. Fresh stretch marks have been shown to respond well to various over-the-counter (OTC) creams that contain glycolic acid, (which contains alpha hydroxy acid or AHA), because of its ability to simulate collagen production and generate cellular turnover in the area. Look for OTC brands with the highest glycolic acid concentration for best results. Topical and oral vitamin C may also help with the treatment and reduction of stretch marks and should be used in conduction with other treatments and with your physician’s advice to further prevent stretch match from forming or aggregating.
If you are looking for OTC Retinoid products, I recommend Neutrogena Healthy Skin to my patients who visit me for stretch marks removal in Toronto and wish to treat their stretch marks at home with a milder product.
Patients choose LipDoctor because we look beyond a single symptom.
We understand when stretch marks need resurfacing, when skin needs tightening, when body contouring adds value, and when muscle building can elevate the final result.
Most importantly, we understand that transformation is rarely one-dimensional.
Our approach is medical, strategic, and focused on visible progress.
If stretch marks, loose skin, reduced tone, or post-weight-loss body changes are affecting how you feel, there is a smarter path forward.
LipDoctor offers physician-led stretch mark and body renewal treatment in Mississauga for patients throughout Toronto and the GTA using RF microneedling, resurfacing technologies, contouring, muscle stimulation, regenerative options, and personalized treatment planning.
Book your consultation today and let us help your skin and body reflect the progress you have already earned.
