Stretch marks typically appear as parallel lines on your skin. They are a different texture and color than your normal skin – ranging from purple to bright pink to light gray. Stretch marks don’t all look alike. They vary depending on how long you’ve had them, what caused them, where they are on your body, and the type of skin you have. When you touch stretch marks, you might feel a slight ridge or indentation on your skin. Occasionally, stretch marks feel painful or they may itch.
What Causes Stretch Marks?
As their name suggests, stretch marks result from the force of stretching on your skin. They are actually a form of scarring that is usually associated with rapid weight gain – such as in pregnancy. They can also occur as a result of rapid growth during puberty, and are occasionally associated with muscle building and weight lifting. Stretch marks can be found anywhere on your body, but they’re most common on your stomach, breasts, upper arms, thighs, and buttocks. Stretch marks aren’t dangerous, and they often disappear over time.
Their severity is affected by several factors, including your genetic tendency, the degree of stress on the skin and your cortisone level. Cortisone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, weakens elastic fibers in the skin.
Some factors that increase your likelihood of getting stretch marks are:
- Being female
- Undergoing breast enlargement surgery
- Having a family history of stretch marks
- Being pregnant
- Being overweight
- Rapidly gaining or losing weight
- Using a corticosteroid medication
- Having Cushing’s syndrome, Marfan syndrome or certain other genetic disorders
Treatments for Stretch Marks:
Micro-Needling with PRP:
(platelet rich plasma), also known as Collagen Induction Therapy, is ideal for the treatment of acne scars, surgical scars, stretch marks, wrinkles and fine lines, hyperpigmentation, lax skin, sun damaged, large pores, and uneven skin texture. It can be performed either on the face or body, and is suitable for all skin types and colors.
A small hand held, automatic device that contains tiny micro-needles is passed over the skin creating tiny micro-wounds, or channels, on the skin. During the body’s natural wound-healing process of these channels, collagen and elastin are automatically produced. Platelet Rich Plasma is produced from an individual’s own blood. After a blood sample is obtained from a patient, the blood is put into a centrifuge, which is a tool that separates the PRP from the blood. The blood is spun for approximately 15 minutes. PRP contains highly concentrated amounts of natural growth factors and other cytokines that promote the regeneration process of soft tissues. The PRP is applied directly to the channels that were created from the micro-needling to further stimulate the natural healing process and creation of collagen.
Laser Genesis:
Laser Genesis is an innovative technologically advanced way to promote vibrant and healthy looking skin in men and women of any skin type and any age. It is a painless and safe procedure performed that utilizes breakthrough technology to improve the appearance of fine lines, enlarged pores, stretch marks, hyper-pigmentation, uneven skin texture, and poor skin tone on the face, neck and chest.
Laser Genesis can be performed over lunch time and patients are pleased to return to their normal activities immediately after their treatment. It is ideal for patients of any age who want to restore and maintain a healthy, youthful glow.
Request a Consultation:
If you are concerned about your stretch marks and would like to know more about their treatment, call to schedule a consultation today: 281-313-7435.
