Stretch marks can appear almost anywhere on the body that skin can expand or stretch. Stretch marks can appear after life events like pregnancy or major weight changes, and can also affect teenagers going through a fast growth spurt. Fortunately, we offer a variety of treatments that can diminish or remove your stretch marks and leave your skin looking smooth again.
Stretch marks happen when the skin stretches beyond its normal limits, essentially making it a form of scarring. The body will repair this stretched area, but often this leaves a series of parallel lines that have a different tone and texture than the surrounding skin.
Fortunately, these marks respond to treatment with several different methods designed to break up and soften scar tissue, address the changes in pigmentation, and improve skin smoothness and tone.
Stretch marks form when the skin stretches or shrinks quickly. This rapid change causes tears in the dermis, leading to scarring.
Several factors can trigger these changes. Pregnancy is a common cause, as the abdomen expands to accommodate a growing baby. Significant weight gain or loss also puts stress on the skin, leading to marks.
Hormones play a role too. Cortisol, in particular, can reduce the skin’s elasticity, making it more prone to tearing. Genetics is another key factor. If your family members have stretch marks, you’re likely to get them too.
Certain medical conditions like Cushing’s syndrome and long-term corticosteroid use further increase the risk. Adolescents are especially vulnerable during growth spurts when the body changes rapidly.
Stretch marks usually begin as red, purple, or dark lines on the skin. These colors indicate that the marks are new and still developing. Over time, they tend to fade to a lighter shade, often becoming white or silvery. The texture of stretch marks is different from the surrounding skin. They may feel slightly raised or indented, giving them a noticeable texture.
These marks commonly appear on areas where the skin has been stretched, such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, and breasts. Some people may also experience mild itchiness when stretch marks first form, but this typically decreases as the marks mature.
Understanding these characteristics can help identify stretch marks early, making them easier to address with treatment.
While it’s challenging to prevent stretch marks entirely, certain strategies can help reduce their occurrence. Keeping the skin hydrated is essential. Drinking enough water daily helps maintain skin elasticity, while moisturizing creams and oils can keep the skin supple, especially during periods of rapid change, such as pregnancy or weight gain.
A balanced diet rich in vitamins A, C, D, and zinc supports overall skin health. These nutrients help strengthen the skin and promote collagen production, making it more resilient to stretching.
Regular exercise is another important factor. It improves circulation, which supports collagen production and helps keep the skin strong and elastic. For those at higher risk, like pregnant women, using topical treatments such as hyaluronic acid or retinol (after consulting a healthcare provider) may further aid in minimizing the appearance of stretch marks.
These proactive steps can make a difference in reducing the likelihood of developing stretch marks.
We offer several treatments for your stretch marks, including:
This innovative three-step treatment uses a special salt treatment for deep resurfacing, followed by ultrasound treatment to improve the skin’s response to treatments at a deeper level. The last step uses powerful LED light energy to stimulate collagen and elastin as well as brighten the skin.
Microneedling helps break up scar tissue and improve the tone and texture of the skin. The Secret™ RF microneedling device uses radiofrequency energy to penetrate the deeper layers of skin to stimulate collagen production.
This microneedling device uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production and improve cell turnover, resulting in brighter, more youthful-looking skin with fewer imperfections. Morpheus8® can treat stretch marks on other parts of the body wherever they appear.
This treatment uses broadband light to treat the face and body. This broad variety of wavelengths lets this treatment target many different issues with pigmentation and skin evenness. The BBL HERO can target the altered pigmentation in stretch marks as well as helping to smooth the uneven texture.
Often used to treat visible veins and other vascular problems, this laser system also excels at targeting pigmentation issues, including the altered pigmentation of stretch marks, helping to fade them and help them blend in evenly with the surrounding skin.
These CO2 fractional lasers have a powerful ability to treat superficial skin issues and ones that lie deeper in the skin, like stretch marks and scars. Combined together, these two treatments can give patients brighter, more even-toned skin with diminished stretch marks.
This laser treatment targets hyperpigmentation and other pigment concerns. If your stretch marks have noticeably different pigmentation than the surrounding skin, this treatment can even out this visible pigmentation and make the area look more even-toned.
There are several treatment options available for reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, depending on the age, depth, and color of the marks.
Topical Treatments: Retinoid creams are often recommended for newer stretch marks. They work by increasing collagen production, which helps improve the skin’s texture. However, they are less effective on older marks and should be avoided during pregnancy.
Laser Therapies: Laser treatments, such as CO2 fractional lasers and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), target deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production. These treatments can reduce pigmentation and smooth the skin but may require multiple sessions and involve some recovery time.
Microneedling: This involves using tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, which triggers collagen production. When combined with radiofrequency, it can enhance skin tightening and improve texture. Microneedling is particularly effective for older, more stubborn stretch marks.
Each treatment varies in cost, required sessions, and potential side effects. Consulting with a dermatologist can help determine the best option based on your skin type and the severity of your stretch marks.
With our variety of treatment methods, you will almost certainly be a candidate for one or more of them. Almost anyone can have their stretch marks treated.
Stretch marks can have a significant impact on mental and emotional well-being. Many people feel self-conscious about their appearance, especially when the marks are in visible areas like the abdomen, thighs, or breasts. This can lead to a decline in self-esteem and body image.
For some, the presence of stretch marks can trigger stress, anxiety, or even depression. These feelings are particularly common during life stages that already involve body changes, such as adolescence or postpartum periods.
Addressing the emotional effects of stretch marks is just as important as treating the physical ones. Talking to a healthcare provider about both the physical and emotional impacts can be a helpful step in managing these concerns. Treatment can offer not just aesthetic improvements but also a boost in confidence and overall well-being.
To learn more about stretch mark removal – and if it’s right for you – schedule an appointment by visiting FACE Skincare~Medical~Wellness online or calling 1 (248) 621-8162.
FACE Skincare~Medical~Wellness is a multi-award-winning beauty and wellness clinic founded by skin expert Holly Cutler, also known as The Skin Saint™, and named as “one of the most advanced Med Spas in the country” by Forbes magazine.
Now Serving Oakland County
FACE Skincare Medical Wellness is located in Bingham Farms, MI, and serves patients in Bloomfield Hills, Farmington Hills, Birmingham, Franklin, Northville and throughout the Detroit metro.
© FACE Medspa PC 2024 | Privacy Policy | Trademarks | Website Powered by: modrndigital.io
Total Rating 4.8 out of 5 based on 147 reviews
Monday, Friday, Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9am – 7pm
