Stretch marks happen because of a rapid increase in the size of the skin due to pulling and stretching. They are common among pregnant women, bodybuilders, adolescents, overweight individuals and people with Cushing syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Stretch marks fade with age, but topical ointments, laser treatments and microdermabrasion can help speed up the healing process.
Identification
Stretch marks, Striae Distensae, happen when there is a rapid increase in the size of the skin due to constant, progressive pulling and stretching. Stretch marks are not life-threatening, but in extreme cases may tear or rupture.
Occurrence
Stretch marks are most common in pregnant women, bodybuilders, adolescents, overweight individuals and people with Cushing syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Stretch marks can also occur from prolonged use of oral or topical corticosteroids.
Features
Stretch marks start as flat, pink striations on the skin. They gradually growing longer and wider, taking on a reddish-purple color. Eventually they fade to a faint white band.
Reduction
For stretch marks less than six-weeks-old, Tretinoin cream (which rebuilds collagen) may be applied topically. It works by rebuilding collagen. Tretinoin is not effective on old stretch marks and should not be used if you are pregnant.
Pulsed dye laser therapy is another treatment option for new stretch marks and works by prompting growth of collagen and elastin.
Fractional photothermolysis also sparks collagen and elastin growth, but does so by destroying skin cells beneath the surface, helping it heal faster than it would on its own.
Excimer lasers, on the other hand, activates melanin production, forcing the old and lighter streaks to become slightly darker to match the surrounding skin.
Microdermabrasion uses super-small crystals to brush away the top layers of skin, triggering new cell growth and making the skin more elastic in the process. Microdermabrasion works really well for older stretch marks.
Topical ointments such as lavender oil, Vitamin E and cocoa butter may also help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, but the efficacy of these treatments has not been substantiated.
Effectiveness of Treatments
Left alone, stretch marks will fade by themselves over time. Many treatments take several weeks to show visible signs of improvement and no treatment can remove the appearance of stretch marks completely.
