Reviewed by provider
Clinical content reviewed by Maison Zolara providers. (Stretch Marks Treatment)
Medical Director (MD) · Lead RN Injector & Aesthetic Clinician (RN, BSN)
Understanding the concern
What contributes to stretch marks
Stretch marks form when the skin's middle layer is stretched faster than it can rebuild — during growth spurts, pregnancy, weight changes, or rapid muscle gain. The result is a visible band where the underlying support has thinned.
Newer stretch marks often have color from active blood vessels; mature ones are usually paler than surrounding skin and read more as a textural difference.
- ✦Rapid growth, weight, or muscle change
- ✦Pregnancy and post-pregnancy skin changes
- ✦Hormonal shifts that affect collagen
- ✦Genetic predisposition
- ✦Time since the marks first appeared
How providers think about it
We treat causes, not symptoms
Newer and older stretch marks are essentially two different problems. A provider tends to address color first while it is still active, and texture later as the underlying band matures.
No tool fully erases stretch marks. The honest goal is meaningful improvement — softer texture, more even color — with a plan paced to your skin's response.
- ✦Depth and severity
- ✦Skin type and tone
- ✦Personal goals and timeline
- ✦Lifestyle and downtime
Treatment options
Three approaches your provider may discuss
The right path depends on your skin and goals — your provider confirms the plan with you.
Option A
Minimal
Medical-grade skincare
Targeted topical care can support skin quality alongside any in-office plan, and is often the most realistic option for very subtle marks.
Explore Medical-grade skincare →Option B · Recommended starting point
Balanced
RF Microneedling (Candela Matrix™)
Bipolar fractional RF microneedling can remodel collagen in the affected band — often discussed as a series for textured stretch marks.
Explore RF Microneedling (Candela Matrix™) →Option C
Advanced
Sublative RF resurfacing
Fractional RF resurfacing focuses on surface texture and can be paired with RF microneedling across a treatment plan.
Explore Sublative RF resurfacing →What results may look like
Gradual, considered improvement
Improvement is gradual and partial. Most clients describe softer-looking bands and skin that catches light more evenly — not invisible marks.
Older, paler marks usually respond more slowly than newer, colored ones.
What to expect
Sensation, downtime, and timeline
- ✦
Sensation
Warm pressure during treatment; topical numbing for comfort.
- ✦
Downtime
Mild redness or sunburn-like feel for a few days, depending on depth.
- ✦
Timeline
Most plans are paced as a series spaced several weeks apart.
- ✦
Results
Continued collagen remodeling unfolds over months following the last session.
Personalized planning
Your treatment plan should be based on your skin, not a generic answer. Start with a quick skin analysis or speak with a provider directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take the First Step
Your Complimentary Consultation Awaits
Meet our RN, share your goals, and receive a personalized treatment plan — at no cost and no obligation.
Or call us directly: (517) 881-0878