Stretch marks — you know them well: those little streaks that appear out of nowhere at the slightest change in body shape. What you may not have known, however, is that they can show up in some unexpected places, including the knees. How does this happen, and what can you do about it? We tell you everything!
Why do stretch marks develop around the knees?
Stretch marks typically appear on areas of the body that undergo significant morphological changes. It’s not uncommon to see them on the stomach and chest (during pregnancy, for instance), the shoulders and underarms (among those who practise bodybuilding) or the hips and thighs (due to weight fluctuations). But it is far less common for them to appear around the knees.
Yet some people do develop stretch marks on their legs, particularly behind the knees, for various reasons:
- a sudden growth spurt, in teenagers, which causes the skin along the legs to stretch rapidly;
- sudden and significant weight gain, especially when the weight accumulates primarily in the lower limbs (resulting in stretch marks on the thighs, calves, and also the knees);
- muscle hypertrophy linked to intensive sports training (particularly bodybuilding), especially when training heavily targets the legs.
What about behind the knee?
On this part of the leg, stretch marks often settle at the back of the knee, in the crease: an area we rarely look at and tend to forget in our skincare routine. The approaches described below can be used here just as they are elsewhere.
The skin behind the knee is delicate, so be gentle, especially when exfoliating, and take the time to moisturise the area afterwards.
What can you do about stretch marks on the knees?
Once stretch marks have appeared, making them disappear completely is very difficult. They are caused by micro-tears in the skin’s elastic fibres, and once these fibres are broken, they cannot simply be “repaired”. What you can do is care for the skin regularly to help keep it supple and comfortable.
To achieve this, there are several approaches.
1- Home remedies
If you’re a fan of traditional remedies or natural, DIY cosmetics, many ingredients can be used in homemade stretch mark care. Your stretch marks won’t disappear entirely, but your skin will feel nourished and pampered.
Natural plant oils and plant butters remain among the best ways to nourish the skin and keep it supple. You can apply these rich ingredients to your knees whether or not stretch marks have already appeared. They can be used on their own, blended together or combined with essential oils.
Poultices are another option: compresses soaked in castor oil, green clay or honey can be applied to fresh stretch marks (which are generally coloured).
Older stretch marks, which have turned white, will benefit more from regular exfoliation using baking soda, apricot kernel powder or black soap. Scrubs help smooth the skin’s texture and remove dead cells. Every scrub should be followed by intensive moisturising, using Aloe Vera or a plant oil (sweet almond, sesame, sunflower or argan).
2- Using cosmetic products
If you’re short on time and would rather use conventional cosmetics to care for the skin on your knees, some products can be a helpful addition to your routine, provided you choose them carefully and use them every day.
Here too, they can be used before stretch marks start forming or, if they are already present, to care for them and try to reduce their appearance.
Our stretch mark range includes a number of products designed for this purpose, including:
- The Stretch Mark Scrub, enriched with wheat germ oil and bamboo, which exfoliates sensitive areas such as the knees and leaves skin feeling smoother and softer;
- The Stretch Mark Serum, containing avocado oil and pantolactone, for continuous moisture;
- The Repairing Cream, enriched with macadamia oil and provitamin B5, to care for your skin day after day.
The complete stretch marks routine, from shower to massage, during and after pregnancy
- Instructions for use
- Friendly advice
3- Aesthetic treatment options
A range of aesthetic medicine procedures, minimally or non-invasive, are now available to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Results vary depending on skin receptivity, and these techniques typically require multiple sessions and a significant budget. Ask a doctor or dermatologist for advice. Among them:
- plasma injections or carboxytherapy;
- radiofrequency or LED technology;
- micro-needling and laser treatments;
- microdermabrasion and peeling.
Frequently asked questions
Can stretch marks on the knees be removed completely?
It’s difficult. Stretch marks are caused by micro-tears in the skin’s elastic fibres, which cannot be “repaired”. You can, however, care for them in several ways: home remedies, cosmetics and aesthetic treatments, whose effects vary from one person’s skin to another.
What is the cheapest way to deal with stretch marks on the knees?
Home remedies are generally the most affordable: plant oils and butters, green clay or honey poultices, and baking soda or black soap scrubs. Aesthetic treatments, on the other hand, usually require multiple sessions and a significant budget.
What home remedy can I try for white stretch marks on my knees?
For older, white stretch marks, you can try regular exfoliation with baking soda, apricot kernel powder or black soap to work on the skin’s texture. Always follow each scrub with thorough moisturising, using aloe vera or a plant oil.
My teenager has stretch marks on their knees. What should we do?
A growth spurt, which stretches the skin on the legs quickly, is a common cause. The care tips in the section “What can you do about stretch marks on the knees?” can easily fit into their routine. If you’re unsure what’s causing the marks, ask a doctor for advice.
Related articles
- Purple stretch marks: causes and solutions
- Stretch marks on the buttocks: how to reduce their appearance?
Useful categories: Stretch Marks by Area, Stretch Marks.
