Marked by stretch marks?

• March 10, 2019

A stretch mark is a type of scar that develops when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The abrupt change breaks the collagen and elastin in our skin, causing it to rupture. Then, as the skin is healing, narrow bands are formed. Although the lines are visible on the surface (epidermis), stretch marks are formed in the deeper layer of skin (dermis) and that’s why they are difficult to treat.
Some men and women are genetically predisposed for this, while also fluctuating hormone levels seem to play a role in their formation.

Mostly, stretch marks will appear during one of these events: sudden growth spurt in puberty, pregnancy, rapid weight loss or gain, muscle growth (from weight training). It also happens easier when the skin is not well hydrated.

When they first appear, they look red, purple, pink, or brown, depending on your skin color. They will look and feel like a scar, also they may be itchy like one. Then with time, as the skin heals the marks fade and the scar sinks into the surface of your body.

How to get rid of stretch marks?
Stretch marks are permanent, but treatment makes them less noticeable. It’s important to understand that a combination of treatments will be necessary to see a result, and not everyone will get a good result.

First step: at home.
Creams: out of the creams, lotions, and gels sold to treat stretch marks, here’s what might help.
• Hyaluronic acid (naturally produced by the skin) is a natural option to help heal the marks.
• Retinol may help fade early stretch marks.
• Tretinoin is another retinoid that can make early stretch marks less noticeable.

The creams must be applied every night.

Extra tip:
Self-tanner: While tanning can make stretch marks get worse, a self-tanner helps camouflage stretch marks (both early and mature ones).
But please note that a self-tanner can’t get of rid of stretch marks.

Second step: at your dermatologist.
The following minimally invasive procedures make stretch marks less noticeable:
• Chemical peel: an acid base product is applied to the area and the top layer of the skin will be very lightly burned. When it peels, the top layer of the stretch marks will peel away revealing a fresh skin underneath.
• Laser therapy: the laser light pulse will stimulate production of collagen in the area and resurface the skin.
• Microdermabrasion: working deep into the skin’s layers, this will soften the appearance of the marks by working on the skin’s elasticity, making them look smoother.
• Radiofrequency: this new treatment that promotes collagen production is showing a lot of improvement in the appearance of the skin.
• Ultrasound: stimulating your skin with sound waves, a boost of new collagen and elastin will heal the scars left by the stretch marks and therefore reduce their appearance.

To give you the best results, your dermatologist may use more than one procedure. For example, Dr. Costi may treat you with radiofrequency and a pulse dye laser. Of course then Dr. Costi will let you know which of these treatments is more suitable for you, given your health, age and how long you’ve had the stretch marks.

Can we prevent stretch marks?
We don’t know yet. While research continues in this field, we have not yet found any definitive treatment to prevent stretch marks. Almond oil, cocoa butter, olive oil nor vitamin E which are all prescribed as prevention, don’t always work.
The most recent research is being done with an herb called Centella and with hyaluronic acid. It looks as the most promising yet, but results are not conclusive.

So what should we do?
It might be tempting to just buy the most expensive cream you find that promises a miracle cure for stretch marks, but we think it would be better to see Dr. Costi first.
Check with your doctor and you can decide together on the best course of action: because you have to be quick. When dealing with these scars, the earlier your treat them the better the result. Don’t waste your time and money on uncertain results.
All the clinical procedures have proven more effective than creams or home remedies.
Dr. Costi will also have the insight about the latest products and newest procedures that may help.

In the end?
Of course you always want to look your best and feel your best and you will always try to do so. But so what if you have a few stretch marks? Just be proud of them: stretch marks or not, your body has been through so much to keep you alive: they are battle scars.