Many beauty-conscious expectant mothers are troubled by stretch marks. Recently, reader Ms. Ke called our health hotline to inquire about a popular online method of applying olive oil to remove stretch marks. She wanted to know if this approach is truly effective.
Dr. Li Guangrui, Director of Dermatology at the Wangjing Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, explained that stretch marks result from the rupture and degeneration of elastic fibers in the dermis, causing atrophic changes due to excessive skin stretching. Currently, there is no effective treatment for this condition, and special intervention is generally unnecessary. Over time, stretch marks may fade or disappear. Their occurrence is also linked to individual constitution—not all pregnant women develop them, and their severity varies from person to person.Li Guangrui stated that there is currently no evidence indicating olive oil can treat stretch marks. However, local massage with olive oil may improve microcirculation in the area and potentially offer some auxiliary benefits for skin atrophy.