Stretch Marks

Do you have thin, long, parallel lines on your stomach, breasts, upper arms, hips, thighs, and buttocks? These fine rippled streaks called striae gravidarum and striae distensae are commonly called stretch marks. Most people wish they could make stretch marks fade. While these lines or grooves can appear in normal skin and are not harmful to health, they can look unsightly.

Please keep reading to learn more, including why you develop stretch marks and how you can get rid of stretch marks. We will discuss both home remedies and medical treatments available for newer and older stretch marks.

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks or striae distensae are narrow scars that form when the skin stretches or shrinks rapidly. The abrupt change causes the skin proteins collagen and elastin to rupture. As healing occurs, stretch marks or visible narrow scars develop in the skin. However, not everyone develops these changes. Scientists and doctors believe that hormone levels play a major role. Also, stretch marks run in families. Meaning, your risk of getting them is higher if others in your family get stretch marks.

Initially, the appearance of stretch marks is bright pink, red, purple, or brownish (these are called striae rubrae). Early stretch marks can feel slightly raised and have a different texture. They can also be itchy. With time, the scars fade and sink below the skin surface (these are called striae albae). They can feel like a slight depression in the skin.

Why do you develop stretch marks?

As noted, stretch marks occur when the body grows or shrinks quickly and the skin can't keep up with the rapid stretch. The collagen in the skin ruptures. As a result of these skin changes, marks show up when the skin stretches. That's why stretch marks are common in pregnant women, especially towards the end of the pregnancy. Stretch marks are also more likely to develop during growth spurts in puberty, after rapid weight loss or gain, after breast enlargement surgery, and after rapid muscle growth due to weight training. Long-term use of corticosteroid medication can also cause stretch marks. People with medical conditions such as Cushing's disease and Marfan syndrome may also develop stretched skin with narrow bands.

What are the risk factors?

Gender and genetics are known risk factors for stretch marks. Women are more likely to develop stretch marks than men. Having a family history of stretch marks is also a risk factor. Other risks include pregnancy, a growth spurt during adolescence, rapid weight loss or gain, and fluctuating hormone levels (the hormone cortisol can make elastic skin fibers tear easily).

Do stretch marks mean you're fat?

Stretch marks form when a person has a significant amount of weight gain or growth in a short period of time. However, stretch marks do not necessarily mean a person is overweight or obese. Lean people who are at a healthy body weight can also develop stretch marks. For example, during a rapid growth spurt in teenagers.

Do stretch marks go away if you lose weight?

Stretch marks do occasionally fade after weight loss, but this is not guaranteed. Keep in mind that rapid weight loss is a risk factor for stretch marks. Therefore, losing weight slowly can reduce your risk of developing stretch marks.

Are new stretch marks bad?

Stretch marks are not harmful to your health. They are not painful and do not require treatment. However, if you don't like the way they make your skin look, you can try treatment, although it is unlikely they will disappear completely.

Can you get rid of early stretch marks?

Like all scars, stretch marks are permanent. However, treatments can make them less visible and alleviate symptoms like itching. No single stretch mark treatment works for everyone. While topical tretinoin may be very effective in one person it may not do much to reduce the appearance of stretch marks in another person. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please make sure you see a healthcare professional who can provide medical advice on treating stretch marks. Some products contain ingredients like retinol that can be harmful for the baby.

Medical Treatments for Stretch Marks

A dermatologist or plastic surgeon can perform several treatments to help fade stretch marks. These treatments work by helping the skin make more collagen or making the stretch marks less noticeable. Note that you may need more than a single treatment to see results. Some of the common stretch mark treatments are briefly described below.

Pulsed Dye Laser Therapy

This treatment involves a painless blast of light. It can be effective in fading new, red stretch marks. The light energy acts on the blood vessels. This helps to reduce the redness under the skin that makes the stretch marks more noticeable.

Excimer Laser Therapy

This type of laser therapy is particularly useful to treat stretch marks that are old and white. The laser emits UV pulses that stimulate the formation of the skin pigment melanin. The pigment darkens the stretch marks so they match the natural skin color and are less noticeable.

Fractional CO2 Laser

This type of laser treatment can effectively get rid of stretch marks that are mature and white. It has been found to provide superior results compared to glycolic acid topical creams for stretch marks.

Microdermabrasion 

A skin doctor can use tiny crystals to scrape off the top layer of skin. This can help fade newer stretch marks, especially in combination with chemical peels which involve painting the skin with an acidic solution.

Radiofrequency

Some skin treatments use radio wave energy to generate heat and trigger collagen growth in the skin. These treatments are safe and may improve stretch marks.

Ultrasound

Like radiofrequency, ultrasound treatments create heat using sound waves and promote collagen formation in the skin, which can help fill the stretch mark scars.

Prescription Medicines

Two ingredients in prescription skincare products, hyaluronic acid and tretinoin (Retin A), have been found to make early stretch marks less noticeable. However, you need to use these products every night for 6 months or more to notice any change. Some other products can boost collagen production and new skin growth, such as lupin seed extracts and StriVectin-SD, but it is not clear if they can fade or prevent stretch marks. The bestselling home remedy for stretch marks is Centella asiatica, a herbal oil that boosts collagen production. However, there is no scientific proof that it fades stretch marks.

Cosmetic Surgery

A surgery like tummy tuck can remove skin with stretch marks, but the procedure can leave operative scars. Also, the surgery involves a relatively lengthy recovery time and can be costly compared to the non-surgical treatments mentioned above.

Home Remedies for Stretch Marks

Creams, Gels, and Lotions for Stretch Marks

Topical management of stretch marks with creams, gels, and lotions can work for some people. This treatment is more likely to be effective against early stretch marks than mature ones. Also, taking the time to massage the product into the skin is important. Be aware that results, if any, can take weeks to appear, so be consistent in applying the product every day. Many creams are available on the market, but in general, products containing cocoa butter, almond oil, olive oil, and vitamin E have been found to perhaps fade stretch marks.

Make-Up

Tanning can make stretch marks more visible. However, make-up such as a self-tanner can help to camouflage both early and mature stretch marks.

Can you prevent stretch marks?

It may be possible to prevent stretch marks by maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise. Some products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, tretinoin, and Centella asiatica may also help to prevent stretch marks.

Seeking a skin doctor for stretch marks?

A board-certified dermatologist can perform a systematic review of your medical history, including skin diseases, and do a skin examination to evaluate your stretch marks. They will then suggest one or more treatments for stretch marks that are suitable for you.

The MeTime app makes it easy to connect with top-rated dermatologists in your area. You can chat with experts, share photos, do a video consultation, and get quotes. Download the MeTime app today and find out more about treatments for stretch marks.