Microneedling for Stretch Marks

While stretch marks aren’t harmful to your health, they can still make you feel self-conscious. Thankfully, there’s microneedling, one of the best treatments for stretch marks. It works by prompting the skin to repair itself, fading away those tiger stripes over time.

If you want to treat your stretch marks, this guide is for you. We’ll explain everything you need to know about microneedling for stretch marks, including why it’s so effective and what you can expect from the process.

What Are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are a type of dermal scar that occurs below the surface of the skin. They form when the skin stretches rapidly, which damages or tears the collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis.

Stretch marks typically form during periods of growth or weight gain, as well as during pregnancy. That said, they can also form during periods of weight loss or as a result of using topical steroids that thin the skin.

Stretch marks can affect most body parts, but they commonly occur on the

• Abdomen
• Thighs
• Buttocks
• Arms
• Breasts
• Back

As with other scars, stretch marks usually have a pink, red, or purple tint at first. With time, they usually become a little lighter than the rest of the skin, often taking on a silvery tinge.

How Microneedling Helps Stretch Marks

Microneedling helps fade stretch marks by stimulating the skin’s natural healing response.

It works by physically disrupting the dense, abnormal collagen in scars and promotes its remodeling into more organized collagen.

This is why it’s such an exceptional treatment for all types of scars, including stretch marks.

However, to be effectively treated with microneedling, stretch marks must be at least one year old, explains Lauren Katzakian, registered nurse and SEV Aesthetic Lead.

“When a scar or stretch mark is new, your body is still actively healing it, and the collagen is naturally reorganizing,” she explains. “Treating too early can interfere with healing, lead to unpredictable results, and may not be as effective.”

The Science of Microneedling for Stretch Marks

The science on microneedling for stretch marks is incredibly promising!

The most recent study, published in 2025, tested microneedling for stretch marks on 29 participants. The participants had 4 monthly sessions on one side of their body, with the matching area on the other side left untreated for comparison.

Many of the participants were treated specifically with SkinPen, the microneedling device used at SEV.

The researchers saw steady improvements that continued for up to 6 months after the final treatment. Interestingly, the study found no correlation between results and treatment depth, indicating that microneedling can help remodel stretch marks even at lower depths.

Another study, from 2020, looked at results from just 1 to 3 microneedling sessions on 25 participants with varying skin tones. Most participants saw clear improvement within two treatments, with consistent results across body parts and very minimal side effects.

Beyond that, there have been dozens of studies carried out on microneedling as a treatment for scars in general.

A 2022 systematic review identified 12 studies with 414 participants in total concluded that “microneedling is a favorable choice for the treatment of acne scarring.” Across the various studies, participants experienced visible improvement in the prominence of their scars.

Another review from 2019 looked at 10 studies on atrophic scars in general, with similar conclusions.

Microneedling: What to Expect

From preparation to aftercare, here’s what to expect when you get microneedling for stretch marks.

Preparation

Microneedling treatments don’t need much preparation, especially on the body. You need to make sure you haven’t had recent sun exposure or skin damage. Take a break from supplements that can impact blood coagulation, and speak to your doctor about stopping medications with such an effect.

If you’ve had any recent procedures, peels, or laser treatments on the area with stretch marks, you may need to wait a little longer before you can get SkinPen.

Arrive at your appointment with clean skin, free of any topical products. Wear freshly clean clothing that will be easy to set aside or remove.

Treatment

The microneedling procedure is quick and surprisingly comfortable.

Your provider will clean the treatment area and apply a topical anesthetic if desired. Once the numbing cream takes effect, they will remove it and disinfect the area.

To treat stretch marks, your provider will then meticulously glide the microneedling device over your skin. It should feel like a light buzzing or vibrating.

For effective stretch mark treatment, your provider will pass over each area three times to ensure complete and thorough coverage. There might be some pinpoint bleeding, and your skin will be red immediately after — this is perfectly normal.

Post-Treatment

After your treatment, you must keep the treatment area clean.

Do not let anything other than clean fabric come in contact with your skin for the next day, and only use skincare as directed by your provider. You’ll need to avoid any aggressive or resurfacing products for at least a week post-treatment.

Avoid intense exercise, hot tubs, saunas, and other hot environments for 3 days. Do not receive other treatments or procedures for between 2 weeks to a month, depending on the procedure. You’ll receive complete post-care instructions from your provider.

Side Effects and Risks

SkinPen’s most common side effects include:

• Temporary redness in the treatment area
• Tenderness or itchiness
• Tight, dry-feeling skin
• Scaling or light peeling/flakiness in the treatment area
• Very mild bruising (rare)

These side effects typically last for just a few days, and after one to two weeks, your skin will return to normal.

In rare cases, microneedling can lead to infections, scarring, or nerve damage. These adverse events are usually associated with improper treatment procedures or post-care. They’re extremely unlikely to occur in a hygienic, clinical setting, especially when you follow proper aftercare.

Timeline to Results

When will you actually see stretch mark reduction after microneedling? Most studies show a visible change in stretch mark severity after 2-4 treatments, but completely fading them may require more sessions.

The effects aren’t immediate, though. The magic of microneedling actually takes place during recovery in the months after treatment, as new collagen builds and reorganizes. This means that you’ll see the biggest difference around 3-6 months after your final microneedling session.

Before and After Microneedling for Stretch Marks

Below is an example of the kind of results you can expect from microneedling for stretch marks.

Within a handful of SkinPen microneedling sessions, our client was able to achieve a significant reduction in the size of her stretch marks, and their color was also significantly faded.

Bottom Line

Microneedling is an incredible treatment for stretch marks because it:

• Breaks up the damaged scar tissue
• Triggers new collagen and elastin production
• Promotes more “organized” collagen and elastin fibers for smoother skin surface

At SEV, we invite you to book your safe and effective treatment with SkinPen, the first FDA-cleared microneedling device. Our providers deliver a safe treatment, using topical numbing to ensure it’s as comfortable as possible.

If you commit to treatment, you can expect to start seeing your stretch marks fade within a few months, with a significant reduction after at least 4 sessions.