Stretch Marks

In a study of TikTok recommendations for dealing with stretch marks, it was found that 88% of the suggestions came from "influencers". Only 12% of the suggestions came from, well ... people that know what they are talking about!

This article looks at the subject of stretch marks and what may work and what may not. The article below is not my own work and taken from actual research into the many social media claims.

Pregnancy is a time of significant physiological change, and many individuals seek advice on how to manage these effects. One common concern is the development of Striae Gravidarum (SG), or pregnancy stretch marks, which often appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, and thighs and affect up to 90% of pregnant individuals. Although SG are not life-threatening, they can negatively impact quality of life. With the rise of social media, particularly TikTok, there has been a surge in content focused on the prevention and management of these marks.

However, the credibility of TikTok content varies widely. While some TikTok videos are created by healthcare professionals who emphasise evidence-based recommendations, others are produced by influencers or creators with varying expertise. This inconsistency in content sources raises concerns about the reliability of the information presented, as viewers may encounter advice that is not only inaccurate but potentially harmful. This potential for misinformation could influence viewers’ practices in SG prevention and treatment.

Despite the limited involvement of dermatologists, prevention tips and treatment options were commonly discussed in the content. Oil blends infused with vitamins and plant extracts, as well as cocoa butter formulations, were the most popular SG prevention recommendations. However, a systematic literature review indicates that most preventive strategies for SG lack strong evidence from large, randomised studies. Only Centella Asiatica extract, specifically mentioned in just 2 videos, Hyaluronic Acid, recommended in 5 videos, and daily massages showed some promise, though further studies are necessary. In contrast, widely recommended ingredients like almond oil, olive oil, and cocoa butter, which were mentioned in over 25 videos, have not been shown to significantly decrease SG incidence compared with placebo. This highlights a gap between popular social media recommendations and strategies supported by current evidence.

These understudied methods may give the false impression of being effective for individuals without a predisposition for developing SG. The etiology of SG remains unclear, with contributing factors such as hormonal changes during pregnancy and risk factors including young maternal age and a family history of SG. Conflicting reports exist regarding the role of the mechanical tension from skin stretching in the development of SG, as seen with increased pre-pregnancy weight, pre-delivery weight, and birth weight. In our study, the role of genetics in the development of SG was acknowledged in 21% of videos and 1% mentioned the rate of skin stretching. This limited emphasis on individual predispositions oversimplifies the complexity of SG development, potentially leading viewers to believe that prevention is universally achievable.

Regarding treatment options for existing SG, although the majority of TikTok videos analysed promoted treatments lacking sufficient evidence, the most frequently recommended treatment methods were retinoids, microneedling, and other cosmetic procedures. According to a systematic literature review, topical tretinoin and non-ablative fractional lasers have shown some efficacy in treating SG. Additionally, microneedling has demonstrated effectiveness for non-gestational striae, suggesting its potential for treating SG, especially when combined with platelet-rich plasma treatment or laser treatments. Although more research is necessary, emphasising scientifically supported methods like these could better guide individuals seeking effective SG treatments.

Overall, many of the prevention and treatment methods mentioned in the TikTok videos analysed in the study, including 13 videos featuring sponsored content, lack scientific validation and proven clinical effectiveness, potentially creating unrealistic expectations and further contributing to the psychosocial burden of SG. Additionally, these methods carry various financial costs and health risks. Beyond social media recommendations, there remains a general lack of research and effective options for the prevention and treatment of SG. These findings underscore the need for further research on the etiology and management of SG, along with more accurate social media content, to improve understanding and set realistic expectations about this common condition.

The study reveals that many prevention and treatment methods for SG on TikTok are not evidence-based, potentially fostering unrealistic expectations for pregnant individuals. The predominance of social media influencers, limited involvement of dermatologists, and prevalence of sponsored content raise concerns about the reliability of the information shared. Although a few SG prevention methods, like Centella Asiatica and Hyaluronic Acid, show promise, most recommendations lack strong clinical support. To address the psychosocial impact of SG and minimise the risks of unproven treatments, it is important to check that advice is coming from qualified healthcare professionals to provide more scientifically validated content.

The above is taken from: (Italics, here, are mine)

Ambardekar S, Burkhart C. Stretching the Truth: Analyzing Pregnancy Stretch Mark Recommendations on Social Media . Open Dermatol J, 2025; 19: e18743722366578. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0118743722366578250311031652

Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA

© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Bentham Open.

Open-Access License: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.