Stretch marks, also known as striae, are a form of scarring on the skin with an off-color hue. Over time they may diminish, but will not disappear completely. Stretch marks form during the rapid growth of the body, such as during puberty or pregnancy. In pregnancy, they usually form during the last trimester, and usually on the belly, but also commonly occur on the breasts, thighs, hips, lower back, and buttocks.
Stretch marks are caused by the tearing of the dermis. This is often from the stretching of the skin associated with rapid growth or rapid weight changes. Stretch marks may also develop with bodybuilding and patients on hormone replacement therapy.
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. We can reduce red stretch marks, diminish white marks, improve the texture and make it look better and less visible.
Just like scar treatment is done using various lasers and Microneedling Radio Frequency, stretch marks are also treated in the same way. Stretch mark treatment takes around 6-8 sessions depending on the marks with a downtime of mild redness for 1-2 days.
Laser treatments for stretch marks are often combined with platelet-rich plasma therapy to repair the skin cells and stimulate collagen.