Does CBD Help with Stretchmarks? [The HONEST Answer]

Stretch marks are something that most folks – even young people – have to some extent. In fact, stretch marks are a natural response to the varying physiology of our dermal (skin) layers.

Both women and men can get stretch marks, but puberty and pregnancy are the two most common times you can expect to develop them. Genetics also plays a big part in terms of the severity of stretch mark development.

If you’re someone who has stretch marks, you probably wish there was some magical ointment to make them disappear. Although these lines or grooves in the skin aren’t harmful to one’s health, they are not nice to look at – and most people are very self-conscious about their appearance on the skin.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a magical cure for these scars. Stretch marks are almost impossible to remove, and virtually no one is immune to their occurrence.

However, there are certain products and skincare practices that may help your stretch marks fade away over time. A lot of folks have even been talking about the potential benefits of CBD creams for stretch marks.

Research has shown that CBD has potent antioxidant effects on the skin. For this reason, some believe that CBD may slow down the overall aging process, and may even lead to a faded appearance of stretch marks.

Is there any truth to this, or is it all just another marketing ploy that will eventually die down? Read on to find out what there is to know about using CBD for stretch marks.

What Are Stretch Marks – And Why Do You Get Them?

Stretch marks are due to scarring on the skin that develops in the shape of stripes. These lines are a different texture and color from the normal skin, and they range from bright pink or purple to light gray. When you brush your fingers over stretch marks, you may feel a slight indentation or ridge on the skin. Sometimes, stretch marks feel sore or itchy.

Stretch marks frequently appear during or after pregnancy, or when you experience a sudden change in weight. They also often occur in adolescents who are growing rapidly. The skin can’t stretch enough to keep up, and thus long, thin, rippled marks develop in the dermal layers.

This largely has to do with the presence of collagen, which is a natural protein that makes the skin more elastic. If the skin doesn’t have enough collagen, damage may occur and show up in the form of stretch marks.

The Best Treatments for Stretch Marks

Stretch marks can form just about anywhere on the body, but are most common on the breasts, stomach, thighs, buttocks, and upper arms.

It’s impossible to completely prevent or get rid of stretch marks. However, some individuals may have success in getting them to fade over time with a combination of diet changes, workout routines, ointment-based treatments, and even surgery.

There is no treatment that will make stretch marks disappear completely, but some techniques may help them to fade over time.

One such example is laser treatments, which use the light of highly sensitive lasers to “re-surface” microscopic layers of the skin surrounding stretch marks.

However, laser therapy is far too expensive for most people. A different, much more accessible option that is growing in popularity is CBD-infused creams and lotions.

But can these actually work for stretch marks? Can they really help to reduce the appearance of them over time? Let’s take a look.

How Does CBD Benefit the Skin?

There are an abundance of research studies suggesting beneficial properties of CBD for skin-related issues. One such study acknowledges the role of cutaneous (skin-related) cannabinoid signaling and its role in “skin homeostasis, barrier formation, and regeneration.”

A separate study claims that topical (ointment-based) application of CBD cream is a “safe and effective [alternative] for improving the quality of life in patients with some skin disorders.”

However, there is as of yet no research on the specific use of CBD for stretch marks. Based on the above-cited conclusions, however, and the known properties of CBD for skin health, it is possible that use of a quality cannabidiol cream may result in improved skin appearance on areas affected by stretch marks.

CBD Treatment for Stretch Marks

Another important property of CBD as it may relate to the treatment of stretch marks is its ability to increase the production of collagen. Increased collagen creates thicker and healthier skin that will minimize the chance of cellulite. It will also increase the elasticity of the skin, therefore reducing stretch marks.

We also know through decades of studies that CBD possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even antibacterial properties. Combined with the above-cited research that CBD boasts skin cell regeneration properties, it’s possible that CBD may have a positive impact on the scarring that results in the formation of stretch marks.

How CBD Works to Reduce Scars

In a more general sense, CBD works by acting on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for regulating a variety of biological functions, including functions in the skin (where it plays a part in cellular growth and development).

By enhancing activity in the ECS, CBD could aid healing and reduce the formation of scars that result in stretch marks.

As far as specific application of CBD for stretch marks, it’s likely that a high-quality topical CBD cream or lotion would provide more beneficial effects than something like a CBD oil or CBD capsules. Oils and capsules are subject to digestive metabolism, where much of the active CBD component may be lost.

Topical CBD ointments, on the other hand, are applied directly to areas of the skin where attention is needed. This allows users to focus their CBD therapy on specific skin regions (i.e. stretch marks) as opposed to the type of whole-body therapy that CBD oils or CBD capsules may provide.

Again, however, remember that there is currently no research on the use of CBD for stretch marks specifically. Though one may experience positive results in terms of overall appearance, CBD should not be mistaken as a guaranteed treatment option for stretch mark reduction.

Final Thoughts on CBD for Stretch Marks

CBD will not 100% remove or reduce your stretch marks. Much more research needs to be done in the field, specifically to better understand the unique physiology of cannabidiol in cutaneous cell-to-cell networking pathways.

That being said, based on several studies relating to the effects of CBD on scars and for general skin healing, it’s possible that CBD may hold potential in minimizing the appearance of stretch marks.

Lastly, we know that as a natural antioxidant, CBD promotes healing and protects the skin from further damage. These properties alone may be effective in terms of the ability for CBD to reduce stretch marks over the long term.

Have you tried using a specific CBD cream for stretch marks? How did it work? Be sure to let us know by leaving a comment below!