Stretch marks are most common after pregnancy, but they can also occur when there is rapid weight gain in individuals or with exercises that rapidly build muscles.
Stretch marks are often unsightly and may be discolored red, blue or gray and then may gradually seem to fade to white or a lighter color than the surrounding skin. They can occur on the stomach, the thighs, the upper parts of the arms, your buttocks and up to your hips.
Topical Applications
Contrary to what popular wisdom may say, simply keeping the skin hydrated with top quality lotions and creams will not stop pregnancy or weight gain stretch marks. This is because the damage is not on the top layer of the skin; it is in the elastic connections within the skin. The skin is simply expanding faster than the elastin, resulting in breaks that create the unsightly grooves in the skin.
However, topical applications of hyaluronic acid can help to naturally stimulate the growth of collagen in the skin. This in turn will plump up the cells, limiting the visibility of the stretch marks. Another topical application to consider is retinoids, which are available by prescription. These cannot be used if you are currently pregnant or are breastfeeding so be sure to discuss this with your doctor.
Laser Treatments
Newer options include the use of laser treatments over the skin. The laser actually stimulates the growth of collagen, which in turn plumps up the cells. It can also be used to cause blood vessels to shrink back to a normal size, decreasing the reddish discoloration that is so common with the stretch marks.
This process is known as ablation, and actually allows new layers of skin to grow under the areas that have been treated with the laser, literally removing the stretch marks from the inside out.
Surgical Procedures
Often when patients have a tummy tuck, any stretch marks below the belly button can be removed easily by the surgeon with careful consideration of what excess tissue to remove. This is effective and permanent, but it can only be done with a tummy tuck and only on the stomach area, not on the rest of the body.
Many patients also find that chemical peels, microdermabrasion and skin rejuvenation therapies can help remove or greatly reduce the look of stretch marks on any part of the body.
Let us help you find the right approach to treating stretch marks. To learn more see us at chicagocosmeticinstitute.com.
