They are a
type of scar caused by hormones impacting the elastin proteins in our
skin.
What causes Stretch Marks?
Hormone
changes in our skin are the cause. These hormone changes may be from
pregnancy, weight loss or gain, or puberty. Periods of marked
hormonal shifts often result in stretch marks.
Why don't they heal over time?
Like any
scar, they will not simply heal on their own. The damaged elastin
protein fibers in the skin which are the cause of the stretch marks
will not heal over time. Some treatments are now available which can
help improve stretch marks, however.
Is weight gain the cause?
No, weight
gain is not to blame. Weight gain can affect the hormones in your
body, so weight gain is a factor insofar as it changes hormones, but
it isn't 'stretching' the skin. The hormonal changes in skin are the
cause.
Is pregnancy the cause of Stretch Marks?
Pregnancy is
not the cause of stretch marks. As our hormones shift and change in
our body during the pregnancy, these hormones interact with our skin
and result in stretch marks. However the physical increase in our
body size during pregnancy is not 'stretching' our skin.
Being that they are called "Stretch Marks",
why is it not the stretching of the skin that causes them?
Physical
stretching of the skin plays a very minor role, but the reality is
it's not from moving or bending your skin. Have you ever seen anyone
perform yoga or play professional sports? They are stretching their
skin to an extreme extent, however no one stretches their skin
causing any stretch marks.
Can you prevent Stretch Marks?
The use of
topical creams like retinoid products and alpha-hydroxy acids,
combined with topical steroids can be used to aid in prevention. Talk
to a dermatologist if you are interested in preventing stretch marks.
The
bottom line is pregnancy, birth control pills, rapid weight gain or
loss, topical steroid creams and rapid growing all cause stretch
marks.....
But
the reason is all those events have an effect on the hormones in our
skin.
There are
treatments available, particularly with lasers, which can help
improve stretch marks, however, no treatment can yet make a stretch
mark go all the way back to looking like totally normal skin.
Specialists
can reduce red stretch marks, diminish white marks, improve the
texture and make them look better, even in some cases so that you
can't see them very easily, but stretch marks are still an area where
they can improve the problem but can't remove it. There are no
'perfect' treatments for stretch marks. A series of treatment
sessions are usually needed to obtain the best results.
Treatment of Red Stretch Marks
When the stretch marks are red, lasers can be highly effective at
reducing the redness and stopping some of the inflammation.
Lasers work
by reducing the redness in the red stretch marks and by improving
some of the inflammation causing the stretch marks in the first
place. Lasers also induce collagen growth and remodeling, as well as
some elastin remodeling which improves the look of the skin.
Laser for White Stretch Marks
The latest development in the treatment of stretch marks is
fractional laser therapy. For stretch marks that are white or if the
texture is more of an issue, Specialists have seen the best results
using these lasers.
There are
some risks that some patients may not be responsive to the therapy,
as well as some risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker
individuals that takes some time to fade away.
Does Treatment Hurt?
Though you always find an individual who has a lower threshold for
pain, most patients find laser treatment very tolerable.
What is the recovery time?
Recovery from laser treatment is generally not lengthy and usually
involves some redness and swelling for several days. Your doctor will
advise you on the potential risks and recovery times prior to any
treatment.
About Prevention
One thing you can do during pregnancy or times of
weight gain is to apply topical creams like alpha-hydroxy acids or
Retin-A medicines. These topical medicines can be helpful in curbing
the onset of stretch marks in the first place. Consult with a
Specialist.
