How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks & Cellulite

A board-certified dermatologist is cutting through years of marketing hype to explain what actually works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to stretch marks and cellulite, and the honest answer may surprise you.

At a Glance

Dr. Shereene Idriss says stretch marks and cellulite can be improved but not fully eliminated, calling treatment “a journey, not a one-hit wonder.”
In-office procedures like microneedling, radiofrequency, and laser treatments offer the most meaningful results, while topical creams have little hard evidence behind them.
Red, newer stretch marks respond significantly better to treatment than older white ones, making early action the smartest move.
Cellulite treatments target fibrous bands and collagen support, though long-term durability of results remains uncertain even by the doctor’s own admission.

What Dermatologists Actually Know About Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are technically scars — and that biological reality shapes everything about how they can be treated. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss explains that in-office devices like microneedling, radiofrequency microneedling, and non-ablative Fraxel 1550 laser treatments work by stimulating collagen production in the affected tissue. These procedures target water, collagen, and fibroblasts to encourage the skin to rebuild structural support from within, producing visible but gradual improvement over time.

The color of a stretch mark matters enormously when choosing treatment timing. Dr. Idriss notes that red or purple stretch marks — newer ones still in an active inflammatory phase — respond far better to treatment than older white or silver marks. Once stretch marks fade to white, regenerating collagen from that tissue becomes significantly harder. According to expert reporting, VBeam laser is better suited for red marks targeting color, while Fraxel addresses the texture and depression of older, faded scars.

Managing Expectations: Improvement, Not Elimination

Anyone expecting a single treatment to erase stretch marks will be disappointed. Dr. Idriss is direct: patients typically need three to five treatment sessions spread across six to ten months, with a full year needed before accurately judging final results. This multi-session commitment reflects the biological reality that scar-like tissue cannot be rapidly reversed. Another dermatologist cited in expert beauty coverage reinforces this point, stating that getting rid of stretch marks entirely is “very difficult.”

Topical creams and body products offer far less than most marketing suggests. Dr. Idriss has stated plainly that there is no hard evidence topical creams fade stretch marks after they have already formed. Products may support skin hydration and elasticity as a preventive measure — particularly during pregnancy or rapid growth — but they should not be mistaken for a treatment equivalent to clinical procedures. Consumers who invest heavily in creams expecting scar reversal are likely to be disappointed and financially worse off.

Cellulite: A Structural Problem That Requires a Structural Fix

Cellulite is not simply a fat problem — it is a structural one caused by fibrous bands tethering the skin downward while fat pushes upward between them. Dr. Idriss describes in-office laser energy as a tool for breaking those fibrous bands and stimulating collagen to smooth the skin’s surface. Her practice also employs subcision to release tethered tissue, biostimulatory injectables like Sculptra to rebuild collagen support, and microfat transfer to restore subtle volume — a comprehensive contour-management approach rather than a simple cure.

Even with these advanced options, durability remains an open question. Dr. Idriss herself acknowledges in her video content that the lifespan of cellulite laser treatments is still “TBD,” meaning long-term outcome data is not yet settled. Patients considering these procedures deserve that transparency upfront. The honest framework here is one of meaningful cosmetic improvement managed over time — not a permanent fix delivered in a single appointment. For consumers navigating a market full of exaggerated claims, that distinction is worth understanding clearly before spending money.