Stretch Marks

What are Stretch Marks?

If you look in the mirror every day and wish something could be done about your stretch marks then it is reassuring to know that today’s technology can finally tackle them.

Those wavy lines that criss-cross your body in a neat pattern on the surface of the skin compete with veins and arteries to be noticed. They usually occur because your skin has stretched beyond its limit and lost its elasticity and the production of collagen has been disrupted. Losing elastin on top of the disruption of collagen production causes the skin to have stretch marks on the top layer of skin.

Stretch marks occur in women both men and women. The thighs, hips, butts and pregnant abdomens are common areas. They are often made worse by fast growth, pregnancy, hormones or weight loss or weight gain.

What causes Stretch Marks?

Numerous stretch marks can be caused by some medications like steroids such as cortisone. Stretch marks are developed when the skin is excessively stretched beyond its limit during pregnancy, growth spurts or weight gain.

Collagen production in the dermis of the skin is damaged, and blood vessels dilation causes the development of purplish coloured early stretch marks. The inflammation and collagen disruption may cause the obscuring of production of melanin. After a period, this lacking of pigment leads to the white pigmented scars that we call stretch marks. It can also be caused by the rapid weight gain in a short duration such as puberty or during pregnancy.

Stretch marks can also be formed on children who have rapidly become obese or on teens or adolescents who have undergone growth spurts during puberty. Due to constant repetitive exercises, athletes and body builders can also develop stretch marks. It has even been suggested that stretch marks are caused because of an increased level of a hormone called glucocorticoids circulating through the body. This hormone is produced by the adrenal gland, and its production is increased during pregnancy, adolescence, obesity and weight lifting.

The glucocorticoids affect the dermis or the skin by preventing the fibroblasts from forming elastin fibres and collagen. These are required to keep growing skin firm. What follows is dermal tearing as there is a lack of supportive substance when the skin is being stretched over its limit. Some people can be more prone to getting stretch marks than others. Skin type may be a factor. For example, dryer skin has less elasticity than oily skin, and more likely to develop stretch marks. Stretch marks can also form more easily in the skin with a high proportion of cross-lined collagen that occurs in teenagers. Another hypothesis on the cause of stretch marks is that they can occur due to the abnormal collagen formation as a result of chemicals that influence the formation of collagen. It is better to leave the stretch marks alone because they are harmless scars on the epidermis.

Treatments for Stretch Marks

Dermapen Microneedling

Dermapen microneedling is one of our most popular and effective treatments. Proven to work for a range of conditions it can be tailored to your unique skin needs.

Radio Frequency Skin Resurfacing

Both men and women, use Radio Frequency Skin Rejuvenation and Resurfacing to enhance and maintain a youthful appearance where many creams and serums fail.

Stretch Mark Removal

If you are looking to get rid of your stretch marks and improve the overall appearance of your skin then we have the expertise, technology and experience to help you. Suitable for all skin types, we offer a range of treatments that will target your stretch marks and visibly improve and smooth them away.