Can Microneedling Help With Stretch Marks? Here’s What You Need to Know
Stretch marks — also called striae — are one of the most common skin concerns people experience at some point in their lives. Whether they appear during puberty, pregnancy, rapid weight changes, or even intense gym gains, stretch marks can leave behind lines and grooves that many people want to minimize.
If you’ve been wondering whether microneedling is a legit treatment for stretch marks, the short answer is: Yes — it can help. And at Bad Skin in downtown Redwood City, we specialize in using this minimally invasive, collagen-boosting treatment to improve skin tone, texture, and scarring, including stretch marks.
Let’s break down how microneedling works, how it can improve stretch marks, and what kind of results you can expect.
💡 First, What Are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks form when the skin stretches faster than it can regenerate — damaging the collagen and elastin fibers beneath the surface. This results in scar-like lines that often show up on the:
Stomach
Hips
Thighs
Breasts
Arms
Buttocks
They typically start out as red, purple, or dark brown marks (called striae rubra) and fade over time to silvery-white or skin-toned marks (called striae alba).
While completely removing stretch marks isn’t possible, microneedling can significantly improve their appearance by rebuilding collagen where it’s been lost.
✨ What Is Microneedling?
Microneedling — also known as collagen induction therapy — is a treatment where tiny needles create micro-injuries in the skin. This stimulates your body’s natural healing response and triggers:
Collagen production
Elastin regeneration
Improved circulation
Faster cell turnover
Over time, these effects lead to smoother, firmer, and more even-toned skin — ideal for treating both new and old stretch marks.
✅ How Microneedling Helps Stretch Marks
Here’s how microneedling works its magic on stretch marks:
1. Boosts Collagen
Stretch marks form because of collagen disruption. Microneedling kickstarts your body into rebuilding collagen in the affected area, helping to plump and thicken the skin from underneath.
2. Improves Texture
Stretch marks often feel thin or indented. Microneedling helps smooth the surface and reduce that uneven texture.
3. Fades Pigmentation
If your stretch marks are red, purple, or brown, microneedling can help fade their appearance by increasing cell turnover and breaking up pigment.
4. Enhances Product Absorption
Microneedling also improves the absorption of topical products like growth factors, peptides, or hyaluronic acid, which can further enhance the healing process.
📍 What to Expect During Treatment
At Bad Skin, every microneedling treatment starts with a personalized consultation. Here’s what the typical process looks like:
Cleanse + Prep: We disinfect and prep the treatment area.
Topical Numbing: A numbing cream is applied for comfort — especially important for larger body areas.
Microneedling: Using a professional, medical-grade microneedling device, we make controlled micro-channels into the skin across your stretch marks.
Post-Care Products: Soothing serums or recovery boosters are applied to enhance healing.
The treatment usually takes 30–60 minutes, depending on the size of the area.
⏳ How Many Sessions Will You Need?
Improving stretch marks takes time and consistency. Most clients see the best results with a series of 3–6 microneedling sessions, spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
The severity, depth, and age of your stretch marks will determine the number of sessions. Newer stretch marks (still red or purple) often respond faster than older, white ones.
🔥 Does It Hurt?
Microneedling is generally well tolerated — especially with numbing cream. You might feel some mild heat or a scratching sensation, and the skin may appear red or feel tight for 24–48 hours afterward.
Most people describe it as less painful than getting a tattoo or waxing — and totally worth it for the long-term payoff.
🛁 Aftercare Tips
Proper aftercare = better results. Here’s what to do post-treatment:
Avoid hot showers, workouts, and saunas for 24–48 hours.
Keep the area clean and moisturized.
Skip active ingredients like retinol or acids for 3–5 days.
Wear loose, breathable clothing if treating the body.
Use broad-spectrum SPF daily on any exposed areas.
We’ll provide you with a custom aftercare kit and instructions at Bad Skin to support your skin’s healing.
🌟 What Kind of Results Can You Expect?
Microneedling won’t completely erase stretch marks — but it can drastically reduce their visibility by:
Smoothing texture
Blending color to match your surrounding skin
Improving elasticity and firmness
Most people see noticeable improvement after 2–3 sessions, with more dramatic results after completing the full series.
Bonus: You’ll also notice improved skin tone, reduced crepiness, and more hydrated-looking skin in the treated areas.
💬 Is RF Microneedling Better?
Radiofrequency (RF) microneedling is a next-level version of traditional microneedling that adds heat energy to stimulate even deeper collagen remodeling.
It’s particularly effective for:
Deeper stretch marks
Loose skin
Thicker areas like the abdomen or thighs
At Bad Skin, we can help determine whether traditional or RF microneedling is right for you based on your skin goals.
📍 Why Choose Bad Skin?
At Bad Skin, we’re obsessed with skin transformation — and that includes empowering you to feel confident in your own skin, stretch marks and all.
Located inside Sola Salons in downtown Redwood City, we proudly serve patients from all around the Bay Area, including:
San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Belmont, San Carlos, Foster City, Daly City, Burlingame, Millbrae, South San Francisco, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, San Jose, Fremont, Union City, Hayward, Los Altos, and Oakland.
Our microneedling treatments are:
Customized to your skin type, color, and concerns
Safe for all body zones (including stomach, arms, thighs, and chest)
Combined with pro-grade serums for better results
Always done by a trained medical professional with your comfort and safety in mind
✨ Final Thoughts
Stretch marks are totally normal — but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them if they bother you.
Microneedling is a proven, minimally invasive way to treat stretch marks, improve skin texture, and boost your confidence without surgery or downtime.
At Bad Skin, we’re here to help you look and feel your best — whether you're dealing with post-pregnancy stretch marks, gym gains, or body changes over time.
📆 Book your consultation today, and let’s build a plan that’s right for your skin and your body.
