Stretch marks are irregular areas of the skin that look like stripes or lines. Rapid weight gain, pregnancy and certain diseases, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Cushing syndrome, may cause stretch marks. Prescription retinoid creams, including Retin-A, may diminish the appearance of stretch marks when applied topically in the early stages, before stretch marks turn white.
Effects
Although many over-the-counter creams are advertised as stretch mark solutions, prescription retinoids, like Retin-A, are the only topical solutions which result in any appreciable improvement in stretch mark appearance, according to "O Magazine." In a study published in "Archives of Dermatology" in 1996, researchers tested the response of early stretch marks to a topical retinoid solution containing 0.1 percent tretinoin -- the same active ingredient in Retin-A. After two months of daily retinoid treatment, subjects' stretch marks had improved noticeably, and after six months, subjects' stretch mark length and width had diminished by an average of 14 percent and 18 percent, respectively.
Mechanisms of Action
Although the exact mechanisms by which Retin-A improves stretch marks and other skin problems is unknown, the vitamin A in Retin-A and other retinoids helps the skin rebuild collagen, the fibers which give skin its elasticity and smooth appearance. Retin-A and other tretinoin solutions also improve skin turnover rate, replacing old skin with new skin. These functions of Retin-A are also beneficial in treating other skin conditions such as acne scars and sun-damaged skin.
Considerations
Retin-A and other tretinoin creams may only improve the appearance of stretch marks that are less than six weeks old and still pink or red in color. Furthermore, it is important to note that no treatment for stretch marks, including Retin-A, can eliminate them entirely. However, stretch marks are not considered a serious medical problem and they often fade on their own over time.
Other Treatments
While Retin-A is useful for the treatment of new stretch marks, older stretch marks that have turned white can be treated with other cosmetic therapies. Laser therapies use wavelengths of light to stimulate new growth of collagen, elastin or melanin in the skin, which can improve the appearance of older stretch marks. Microdermabrasion, a procedure which removes the outermost layer of the skin, may also improve the look of older stretch marks by stimulating new skin growth. However, these procedures are more expensive than Retin-A treatment -- laser treatment for stretch marks typically costs $500 to $750 per treatment, versus Retin-A treatment which costs as little as $180 annually, and sometimes less, depending on your health insurance coverage.
Warning
You should never use Retin-A or other tretinoin products if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Retin-A also makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so you should avoid direct sun exposure by staying out of the sun or using sunblock with at least SPF 15 when using this product, and talk to your doctor about using Retin-A if you take other medications which increase your sensitivity to sunlight. The most common side effect of Retin-A is skin irritation, such as peeling, redness, itching and stinging. If you use Retin-A more often or in larger amounts than recommended by your doctor, you may experience significant skin discomfort.
