Stretch marks may make you feel self-conscious or embarrassed. There are no easy treatments to rid the skin of these marks. Often they will fade and will be less noticeable. If your stretch marks are severe, you may decide to seek treatment. A dermatologist can help you to choose the right treatment for you.
Stretch Marks
Striae, or stretch marks, may occur if you put on weight rapidly, experience a growth spurt, or have a disorder such as Cushing's syndrome, diabetes or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Long-term steroid use, especially topical steroids, may also cause striae. These can weaken the skin and cause it to be more susceptible to injury. Pregnancy is a big cause of stretch marks. According to the University of Michigan Department of Dermatology, more than 50 percent of women will experience some level of stretch mark development.
Misconceptions
Drug stores sell many over-the-counter creams and oils that claim to cure or reduce stretch marks. Do not be lulled by these advertisements. According to Medline Plus, these are not effective.
Treatments
There are various dermatological treatments for striae. Depending on the age and severity of your stretch marks, a dermatologist may recommend microdermabrasion, laser treatment or tretinoin cream. Microdermabrasion uses small crystals to remove the top layer of skin and stimulate the production of elastin and collagen, two proteins that help to heal skin. Fractional photothermolysis and pulsed dye laser therapy also encourage the production of elastin and collagen for healing. Eximer laser therapy stimulates melanin production, which may color the stretch marks to a shade closer to the surrounding skin. Tretinoin cream removes the top layer of dead skin and increases collagen activity, which may heal the skin.
Benefits
Microdermabrasion and eximer laser therapy may be useful on older, faded stretch marks. Tretinoin cream is effective at reducing the severity of new stretch marks only. Pulse dye laser therapy is more useful on newer stretch marks, but may still be effective on older striae. A dermatologist may recommend fractional photothermolysis for both new and old stretch marks.
Warning
A doctor needs to examine any stretch marks that appear with no obvious stimulus. If you have not grown, gained weight or developed stretch marks because of pregnancy, an underlying condition may to blame. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, chronic liver disease, tuberculosis, typhoid and adrenal gland disorders may all cause stretch marks to develop.
References
- Medline Plus: Striae
- University of Michigan Dermatology: Stretch Mark Research
- Mayo Clinic: Stretch Marks -- Treatments and Drugs
- "Dermatologic Surgery": Striae Distensae (Stretch Marks) and Different Modalities of Therapy -- An Update; Doctors Mohamed L Elsaie, Leslie S. Baumann and Loft T. Elsaaiee; April 2009
