Yes, stretch marks can fade over time, but the extent to which they fade varies from person to person. Stretch marks are caused by the stretching and tearing of the middle layer of the skin called the dermis. Initially, they often appear as red or purple lines on the skin, but over time they may fade to a lighter color, usually a silvery or white shade. The fading of stretch marks occurs due to the natural healing and remodeling process of the skin. As time passes, the blood vessels in the affected area contract and the production of collagen, a protein that gives the skin its structure, increases. These changes contribute to the gradual lightening of the stretch marks.