Stretch marks are incredibly common, appearing during growth spurts, pregnancy, weight changes or muscle gain. They're completely normal, but many people would like them to look less noticeable. Microneedling is one of the most studied ways to improve their appearance. Here's how it works, why newer marks respond faster, and how to set up an at-home routine.
The short answer: microneedling encourages fresh collagen in and around stretch marks, which can help them look flatter, smoother and closer to your natural skin tone. Newer red or purple marks tend to respond faster than older white or silver ones. On the body, expect to need 4 to 6 sessions, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
What stretch marks are
Stretch marks form when skin stretches faster than it can adapt, causing the collagen and elastin in the deeper layers to break down. The skin heals with a thin, flattened line. They often appear on the stomach, hips, thighs, buttocks, breasts and upper arms.
New vs old stretch marks
| Newer marks | Older marks | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Red, pink or purple | White or silvery |
| Texture | Sometimes slightly raised | Flat or slightly indented, often crinkly |
| How they respond | Usually faster, more noticeable improvement | Slower, but can still look smoother and blend better |
Whatever their age, stretch marks are unlikely to disappear completely, but they can become much less noticeable.
How microneedling helps
The fine needles create tiny channels in and around the marks, prompting the skin to produce fresh collagen and elastin. Over a course of sessions, this can help marks look flatter and smoother, improve their crinkly texture, and help their colour blend better with the surrounding skin. Our guide to microneedling for stretch marks and scars covers the technique in detail.
Your at-home routine
Choose your cartridge
- 36-pin: for the chest, arms and smaller body areas
- 42-pin: for larger areas like the stomach, thighs, hips and buttocks
- 9-pin: for individual, smaller marks
Set your depth
Body skin is thicker than facial skin, so use 1.0mm to 1.5mm. Start at 1.0mm for your first sessions and only increase if your skin tolerates it well. Stay lower on thinner areas like the inner arms and breasts.
Step by step
- Exfoliate gently a few days before, not on the day.
- Cleanse the area, disinfect your skin, hands and pen, and let everything dry.
- Attach a new, sealed cartridge and set your depth and a low speed.
- Apply hyaluronic acid as a glide.
- Keep the skin taut and glide across the marks in overlapping strokes, horizontally, vertically and diagonally, extending slightly onto the surrounding skin.
- Finish with hyaluronic acid and a fragrance-free body moisturiser.
How often
Every 4 to 6 weeks on the body, for a course of 4 to 6 sessions.
Aftercare
- Wear loose, soft, clean clothing over the area for a day or two.
- Avoid hot baths, saunas, swimming and heavy exercise for 48 hours.
- Keep the area moisturised.
- Protect it from the sun, with SPF on any exposed areas.
- Avoid fake tan for a few days.
What to expect
- After 1 to 2 sessions: smoother-feeling skin and slightly softer texture.
- After 3 to 4 sessions: marks often look flatter and less crinkly.
- After 4 to 6 sessions: colour blends better and marks look less noticeable.
A note on pregnancy
Avoid microneedling stretch marks during pregnancy. Speak to your GP or midwife about when it's appropriate to start afterwards, and consider waiting until you've finished breastfeeding.
Body care with Olapen
Olapen's adjustable depth goes up to 2.0mm, and our larger 36-pin and 42-pin cartridges cover body areas quickly and evenly. Its cordless design makes it easy to reach hips, thighs and the stomach. Every cartridge is sterile, individually sealed and single use.
Frequently asked questions
Can microneedling get rid of stretch marks?
It can make them look much less noticeable, but they're unlikely to disappear completely.
Does microneedling work on old stretch marks?
Yes, though older white marks usually improve more slowly than newer red ones.
What depth should I use for stretch marks?
1.0mm to 1.5mm on the body. Start at 1.0mm.
How many sessions will I need?
Usually 4 to 6, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Can I microneedle stretch marks on my breasts?
Yes, gently, at the lower end of the depth range, avoiding the nipple area.
The bottom line
Microneedling is one of the most effective at-home ways to improve the look of stretch marks. Newer marks respond fastest, but older ones can also look smoother and blend better. Use 1.0mm to 1.5mm with a larger cartridge, space sessions 4 to 6 weeks apart, and give it several months.
Microneedling and nanoneedling are cosmetic procedures. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. If you have a skin condition or any concerns, speak to a healthcare professional.