Life

Tried and tested: Does stretch mark oil smooth scarring?

Bio-Oil, £9.99 for 60ml, boots.com
Bio-Oil, £9.99 for 60ml, boots.com Bio-Oil, £9.99 for 60ml, boots.com

Bio-Oil, £9.99 for 60ml, boots.com

CLAIM: It is said to improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone. A placebo-controlled trial in 2010 found 93 per cent of users saw their scars improve over eight weeks, while 100 per cent said the same of their stretch marks.

EXPERT VERDICT: "Stretch marks are caused by rapid growth or weight loss, which usually start darker in colour and fade over time," says consultant dermatologist Dr Ophelia Veraitch. "It takes about 18 months for a scar to remodel – the collagen fibres line up more evenly, making the scar thinner, flatter and paler. A daily massage during this period will smooth down irregularities.

"The product can make this massage easier to perform, but there’s little evidence that it’s more effective than Vaseline."

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