Stretch Marks

Stretch marks, also known as striae, are long, narrow streaks, stripes, or lines that develop on the skin. They occur when the skin is stretched rapidly due to factors like growth spurts, weight gain, pregnancy, or certain medical conditions.

Causes of Stretch Marks

Rapid Weight Changes: Significant and quick weight gain or loss can cause the skin to stretch beyond its elasticity.

Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and the stretching of skin during pregnancy can lead to stretch marks, particularly on the abdomen, breasts, hips, and thighs.

Growth Spurts: Adolescents may develop stretch marks during puberty due to rapid growth.

Genetics: A family history of stretch marks can increase your likelihood of developing them.

Corticosteroid Use: Prolonged use of corticosteroid creams and lotions can decrease collagen levels in the skin, increasing the risk of stretch marks.

Appearance and Stages

Initial Stage (Striae Rubrae): Fresh stretch marks are usually red, purple, or dark brown. They may be slightly raised and can be itchy.

Mature Stage (Striae Albae): Over time, stretch marks fade to a white or silver colour and become less noticeable but may still be visible.

While stretch marks are permanent, various treatments can reduce their appearance:

Topical Treatments:

Retinoid Creams: Prescription retinoid creams, like tretinoin, can promote collagen production and improve skin texture.

Hyaluronic Acid: Helps hydrate the skin and can improve the appearance of early stretch marks.

Over-the-Counter Creams: Products containing ingredients like centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E can help improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

Microdermabrasion: A minimally invasive procedure that exfoliates the skin to promote the growth of new, more elastic skin.

Microneedling: Involves using fine needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production.

Laser Therapy: Fractional lasers and pulsed dye lasers can stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture and color.

Chemical Peels: Chemical solutions are applied to the skin to remove the top layers, promoting new skin growth.

Radiofrequency Therapy: Uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production and improve skin firmness.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Involves injecting PRP derived from your blood into the stretch marks to promote healing and collagen production.