Can Red Light Therapy Help With Stretch Marks? Early Research and Realistic Expectations

Stretch marks are one of the most common skin changes on the planet. They show up with growth spurts, pregnancy, weight changes, muscle gain, and even certain medications. Some people barely notice them. Others feel self conscious about the pale lines across their hips, stomach, thighs, or chest. Because stretch marks involve collagen, red light therapy naturally enters the conversation.

The honest answer is that red light therapy cannot erase stretch marks or turn the skin back to its pre stretch state. What it may do is support healthier collagen remodeling, improve texture and comfort, and help the marks blend more gracefully into surrounding skin over time. This guide explains what stretch marks actually are, how red light interacts with that biology, what early evidence suggests, and how to build realistic expectations if you want to use Biolight devices for this goal.

What Stretch Marks Really Are

Stretch marks, also called striae, are not just surface color changes. They are structural changes in the deeper skin.

How stretch marks form

Stretch marks usually appear when the skin is pulled faster than its elastic support system can adapt. This happens during:

• Rapid growth in adolescence
  
  

• Pregnancy
  
  

• Fast weight gain or muscle gain
  
  

• Certain medical conditions or long term steroid use
  
  

Under that mechanical stress, the dermis, which holds collagen and elastin, develops tiny tears. The result is:

• Early stage marks that look red, purple, or dark and are called striae rubrae
  
  

• Later stage marks that fade to white or silvery lines called striae albae
  
  

Both stages represent areas where collagen and elastin are disrupted and reorganized.

Why they look and feel different from normal skin

Over time, stretch marks can feel:

• Slightly depressed or indented
  
  

• Thinner than neighboring skin
  
  

• Less elastic and more delicate
  
  

They may also itch or feel tight when they are fresh. These sensations fade as the marks mature, but the structural differences remain.

How Red Light Therapy Interacts With Collagen And Scar Like Tissue

Red light therapy uses specific red and near infrared wavelengths to influence cellular energy and signaling in a non destructive way.

Mitochondria and tissue repair

Inside fibroblasts and other skin cells, mitochondria manage:

• ATP production for energy heavy tasks
  
  

• Reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses
  
  

• Signals that control growth, movement, and collagen production
  
  

Red and near infrared light can be absorbed by mitochondrial chromophores, which may:

• Support better ATP availability when doses are appropriate
  
  

• Help rebalance oxidative stress in healing tissues
  
  

• Modulate signals that tell fibroblasts how much collagen to make and how to organize it
  
  

Because stretch marks are essentially areas of remodeled, scar like dermis, these pathways are relevant.

Lessons from scar and wound studies

Much of the early evidence on photobiomodulation and scarring comes from surgical and injury wounds. Studies have reported patterns such as:

• Faster early healing and closure in some wounds
  
  

• Improved later scar quality, including softer and flatter scars, in certain protocols
  
  

• Better patient satisfaction with appearance in some groups
  
  

These findings do not automatically translate one to one to stretch marks, but they support the idea that red light can influence how collagen rich tissues heal and remodel over time.

What Early Research Says About Stretch Marks And Red Light

Research focused specifically on red light and stretch marks is still limited and evolving. Most studies involve small groups and often combine light with other treatments, so results should be interpreted carefully.

Overall, early work suggests that:

• Non invasive light based treatments, including red and near infrared light, may improve color and texture of striae, especially when they are relatively new
  
  

• Improvements tend to be partial rather than complete
  
  

• Protocols vary widely in wavelength, intensity, and session schedules
  
  

In other words, there is enough signal to justify cautious interest, but not enough to promise dramatic transformations for everyone.

Where Red Light Therapy Can Realistically Help With Stretch Marks

When you place Biolight style devices in the right role, they become more satisfying to use and easier to stick with.

Supporting collagen remodeling and texture

Over months to years, stretch marks naturally remodel and soften. Red light therapy may:

• Support fibroblast activity in and around the marks
  
  

• Encourage more organized collagen structure
  
  

• Help the transition from raised, angry looking lines to flatter, smoother ones
  
  

This effect is more likely in marks that are still in the earlier or mid stages of remodeling, not decades old, fully mature striae.

Helping color blend more smoothly

Although red light does not act as a pigment laser, by modulating local inflammation and microcirculation it may help:

• Calm redness and irritation around newer marks
  
  

• Support a more even look as the area matures
  
  

For older, pale stretch marks, color improvement is usually modest. The main changes are more about texture and subtle blending into surrounding skin.

Improving comfort and skin feel

Some people report that areas treated with red light feel:

• Less tight
  
  

• Less itchy during the early phase
  
  

• More comfortable overall
  
  

Better barrier function and calmer inflammation play a role here, even if the visual change is gradual.

What Red Light Therapy Cannot Do For Stretch Marks

It is just as important to be clear about limitations.

Red light therapy cannot:

• Erase stretch marks completely
  
  

• Restore the dermis to its exact pre stretch architecture
  
  

• Replace medical procedures such as fractional lasers, microneedling, or radiofrequency when those are indicated
  
  

• Guarantee specific cosmetic results within a short time frame
  
  

If your main goal is maximal cosmetic change in severe or extensive stretch marks, especially on the abdomen after pregnancy or major weight change, you may need a combination of professional procedures and long term at home support.

Designing A Biolight Routine For Stretch Marks

If you want to use red light therapy on stretch marks, structure and patience are essential.

When to consider starting

You can think of two windows.

• Early to mid phase: when marks are still red, purple, or darker than surrounding skin and may itch or feel tight. This is often the most responsive phase for any supportive therapy.
  
  

• Mature phase: when marks are pale and stable. Changes here are usually slower and more subtle but still possible in terms of texture and comfort.
  
  

Always clear new treatments with your clinician if your marks are related to pregnancy, rapid medical changes, or medications.

Session frequency and timing

A practical starting plan looks like this:

• Use a Biolight device three to five times per week on the area
  
  

• Aim for about 8 to 15 minutes per region at a comfortable distance
  
  

• Make sure the panel or handheld device covers the entire zone where stretch marks appear, such as lower abdomen, hips, thighs, or chest
  
  

You can integrate sessions into your daily routine, for example:

• After a shower in the evening, on clean, dry skin
  
  

• Before applying moisturizer or any specific stretch mark creams
  
  

Pairing red light with topical care

Topical products are not magic either, but they can complement red light.

Supportive partners include:

• Simple moisturizers with ceramides, fatty acids, and humectants to keep the area hydrated and more elastic
  
  

• Oils or creams recommended by your clinician to support massage and tissue comfort
  
  

• In some cases, dermatologist prescribed treatments that target texture and pigment
  
  

A simple rhythm is:

1. Cleanse or rinse the area and dry gently.
   
   

2. Use Biolight on bare skin for the planned time.
   
   

3. Apply your chosen moisturizer or product after the session.
   
   

As always, sun protection is important for areas that see daylight, since ultraviolet exposure can darken new marks or make contrast more obvious.

Special Considerations For Different Situations

Stretch marks show up in many contexts, and those details shape how you should use light.

Pregnancy and postpartum

During pregnancy and breastfeeding:

• Always talk with your obstetric provider before starting any device based routine
  
  

• Focus first on comfort, gentle moisturization, and avoiding irritation
  
  

• If you are cleared to use red light, keep sessions moderate and avoid overheating
  
  

Postpartum, once your clinician approves and incisions or injuries are fully healed, you can gradually introduce a structured Biolight routine.

Rapid weight changes or medical conditions

If stretch marks are linked to:

• Rapid weight gain or loss
  
  

• Endocrine conditions such as Cushing syndrome
  
  

• Long term steroid use
  
  

Your underlying condition should be managed by a healthcare professional. Red light therapy can still support the skin, but it will not address the internal driver by itself.

Melanin rich skin

In deeper skin tones, stretch marks often appear as darker or lighter lines than the surrounding area. To support them safely:

• Keep Biolight dose moderate and avoid pairing with aggressive topicals that could irritate and trigger additional pigment changes
  
  

• Focus on steady, gentle routines rather than heavy peels or harsh scrubs
  
  

• Protect exposed areas from sun to prevent more obvious contrast
  
  

If you have a history of keloids or complex scarring, discuss any light based treatment with a dermatologist first.

Key Takeaway

Red light therapy is not a miracle cure for stretch marks, but it is a reasonable part of a long game strategy. By supporting mitochondrial energy, collagen remodeling, and a calmer inflammatory environment, Biolight sessions can help stretch mark areas move toward softer texture, better comfort, and a more blended look over time. The most realistic results come when you start early if possible, use light consistently for months, pair it with moisturization and sun protection, and keep expectations grounded in biology rather than quick fix promises.

Frequently Asked Questions About Red Light Therapy And Stretch Marks

Will red light therapy make my stretch marks disappear?

No. Red light therapy may help soften and blend stretch marks, especially newer ones, but complete disappearance is unlikely. Most people see gradual, partial improvements in texture and tone rather than total removal.

How long should I use red light therapy before deciding if it helps my stretch marks?

Think in terms of at least three to six months of consistent use. Stretch marks remodel slowly. Taking before photos in good light and comparing them after several months is often the easiest way to spot subtle changes.

Is red light therapy safe for stretch marks on the stomach and breasts?

In many cases, yes, especially when the skin is intact and you follow device guidelines. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, recently post surgical, or have any medical conditions affecting those areas, always get clearance from your clinician before starting.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist before starting or changing any light therapy or skincare routine for stretch marks, especially during pregnancy, after surgery, with rapid weight changes, or if you have underlying health conditions or a history of abnormal scarring.