Stretch Marks on the Butt: What Works, What Doesn't, and Honest Expectations

Updated September 2026

Can you get rid of stretch marks on your butt? Not completely. Stretch marks are a type of scar, so they're permanent, but they fade on their own over time and some treatments can make them less noticeable faster. The best evidence is for prescription tretinoin or hyaluronic acid on newer marks and in-office procedures such as laser or microneedling for older ones, while cocoa butter and vitamin E haven't been shown to fade them.

Honest note from the team that makes a butt scrub: no scrub, ours included, fades stretch marks. Here's what the evidence actually says, and where a scrub does (and doesn't) fit.

What are stretch marks, and why do they show up on your butt?

Stretch marks (clinically, striae distensae) form when skin stretches or shrinks quickly and the collagen and elastin that support it rupture, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The butt, hips and thighs are classic spots because that's where a lot of growth and weight change happens.

Common triggers:

• Puberty growth spurts (the original cause for most people)
• Pregnancy
• Weight gain or loss
• Building muscle quickly (yes, glute training counts)
• Long-term corticosteroid use
• Family history: if your relatives get them, you're more likely to

Stretch marks are harmless. One exception worth knowing: the NHS advises seeing a doctor if you have large stretch marks along with other changes, like more fat on your chest and tummy but slim arms and legs, or a puffy face, because that combination can be a sign of Cushing's syndrome.

Do stretch marks go away on their own?

They fade, but they rarely vanish. New marks look red, pink, purple or dark brown depending on your skin tone. Over time they flatten and turn silvery or white. Cleveland Clinic puts the typical fade at six to 12 months, and says treatment often speeds that up.

New marks (red, purple or dark brown)

This is the stage where topical treatments have the best evidence, so if you want to act, act early.

Mature marks (silvery or white)

Harder to change with creams. In-office procedures are the main options here, and even those improve rather than erase.

What actually helps stretch marks fade?

Prescription tretinoin

Tretinoin is a retinoid. The AAD notes that people who applied it nightly for 24 weeks had less noticeable early stretch marks. It can irritate, it needs a prescription, and retinoids aren't used while pregnant or breastfeeding.

In-office procedures

For older marks, a dermatologist can talk you through laser, microneedling and similar options. The AAD says microneedling results appear gradually as your body makes collagen and can take several months, and that at-home rollers give less noticeable results and carry risks like infection or scarring if misused.

What about rosehip oil?

Rosehip seed oil is a lovely, lightweight moisturizing oil (and it's in our scrub). But the evidence that it fades stretch marks is limited, so it isn't on the list above.

What doesn't work (despite the marketing)?

• Cocoa butter, almond oil, olive oil or vitamin E on their own. In studies the AAD cites, none of the marks faded when people massaged these in. They moisturize; they don't fade.
• Stretch-mark creams with no named active ingredient. The NHS says there's very little evidence these creams and gels work.
• Anything promising complete removal. Stretch marks are scars. "Improves" is honest; "erases" isn't.
• Scrubbing harder. Exfoliation smooths surface texture. It doesn't rebuild collagen.

How long does it take to see a difference?

Months, not weeks. The tretinoin studies ran 24 weeks, Cleveland Clinic says retinol creams need at least six months of regular use, and microneedling results build over several months. Be wary of anyone promising visible results in a few weeks.

Where does a butt scrub fit in?

A physical exfoliant like Becky Booty Scrub doesn't change stretch marks. What it can do is exfoliate and soften the skin around them, so the whole area looks and feels smoother. If you want that in your butt-care routine:

1. Scrub gently on damp skin two or three times a week. Skip any spot that's sore, broken or irritated.
2. Moisturize right after, while skin is still damp. A hyaluronic acid lotion can go on here.
3. See a dermatologist if you want prescription tretinoin or an in-office procedure.
4. Give any treatment months, not weeks, before you judge it.

How do you stop obsessing over them?

Most people notice their stretch marks far more than anyone else does. Bathroom lighting is brutal; real life isn't. If they bother you, treating them is a valid choice. Just skip anyone promising they'll disappear. If yours showed up after having a baby, our postpartum butt skin guide covers what's generally avoided while nursing.

FAQ

Can I prevent stretch marks during pregnancy?

Not reliably. Family history plays a big role. The AAD notes that products with centella or hyaluronic acid may help prevent them, while most popular home remedies haven't worked in studies. Check any product with your OB, and skip retinoids while pregnant.

Why do I have stretch marks if I never gained weight?

Puberty growth spurts and fast muscle gain are common causes. Skin stretched faster than its support fibers could keep up.

Are stretch marks dangerous?

No. Mention them to a doctor if they appear suddenly without an obvious cause or come with other symptoms, such as the Cushing's signs above.

Does Becky Booty Scrub work on stretch marks?

It won't fade them, new or old. It exfoliates and softens the surrounding skin so the area feels smoother. For fading, look at tretinoin or hyaluronic acid on newer marks, or in-office procedures for older ones.

Are stretch marks the same as cellulite?

No. Stretch marks are scars in the skin; cellulite is a dimpling pattern from the connective tissue and fat underneath. Our cellulite guide covers what helps that.

The bottom line

Stretch marks are scars: they fade, but rarely disappear. The best-supported options are prescription tretinoin or hyaluronic acid on newer marks and dermatologist procedures for older ones. Oils and butters moisturize but don't fade marks. A scrub can make the surrounding skin feel smoother, and that's all it promises.