Stretch marks are pink, red, purple or white band-like striations that typically erupt on the stomach, breasts, buttocks, thighs and upper arms whenever a person experiences an abrupt, dramatic increase in body mass. Numerous department store creams claim to fade stretch marks, and there are a select number of prescription topical medications that may reduce the appearance of stretch marks; however, the physicians who maintain "The Patient's Guide to Stretch Marks" state that laser treatments administered by a skilled dermatologist give those with stretch marks the most pronounced results.
More About Stretch Marks
Stretch marks accompany rapid weight gain and can appear on body builders, tweens going through growth spurts, those who are obese and especially women during the sixth and seventh month of pregnancy. Stretch marks don't actually appear because the skin is "stretched," explains dermatologist Eric Fernstein in "The Patient's Guide to Stretch Marks." Hormonal changes that accompany this rapid weight gain cause damage to elastin fibers, a protein in your skin that gives it flexibility and allows it to expand. Feinstein states "elastic fibers are the single hardest thing to repair in skin."
About Laser Treatments
Cosmetic laser surgery is a misnomer insofar that laser treatments to treat stretch marks aren't invasive procedures. In fact, in "The Patient's Guide to Stretch Marks," dermatologist Brian Zelickson indicates that surgical procedures aren't a good option for stretch marks, as the mark is replaced with a surgical scar, and these have the tendency to be more pronounced in appearance. Laser treatments are the most effective way to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, but they won't go away entirely, due to the difficulty in repairing elastin damage. Depending on the color and age of the stretch marks, one type of laser treatment may be more appropriate than another.
Old Stretch Marks
One of the newer laser treatments for older stretch marks is fractional laser therapy, Zelickson states. This therapy involves a series of laser treatments, each which causes the patient little downtime. Fractional lasers create tiny dot-like injuries the diameter of a hair shaft, while normal skin is left untreated, making healing time expedient. Another treatment for older stretch marks uses an excimer laser, which doesn't affect collagen or elastin growth, say experts at the Mayo Clinic. Rather, this treatment stimulates pigment production so that striae blend in better with the skin's natural tone.
New Stretch Marks
Pulsed dye laser therapy is mentioned by the Mayo Clinic as one type of nonablative (nonwounding) treatments used to heat the dermis, the underlying layer of skin, which encourages new collagen and elastin to form. This type of treatment can be used to treat old stretch marks, but is generally more effective on stretch marks that are reddish or purple. Zelickson describes pulse dye laser laser therapy as his "treatment of choice" to reduce redness and inflammation noted in new stretch marks.
Other Options
Makeup and skincare expert Paula Begoun lists several spendy, media-hyped consumer creams products, such as as Mederma, Magia Bella, Maternity Solutions, Decleor, Mustela and Caudalie, all which "lead women to waste their money." In fact, "The Patient's Guide to Stretch Marks" mentions topical alpha hydroxy acids and prescription retinoids (such as Retin-A) as the only at-home treatments that might be marginally helpful in reducing the appearance of stretch marks. The good news is that stretch marks don't pose any threat to your health, say experts at the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, they fade and become much less obvious over time. If stretch marks continue to be a bother, consult with a dermatologist skilled in the provision of laser treatments.
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