Stretch marks are a type of scar that develops when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The abrupt change causes the collagen and elastin, which support our skin, to rupture. As the skin heals, stretch marks may appear.
New stretch marks may feel slightly raised and itchy. These rippled, streaky lines in your skin come in different colors. They fade from red or pink to purplish-blue to thinner, pale, more scar-like streaks over time. The color eventually fades and the narrow bands sink beneath your skin.
Like any scar, stretch marks are permanent, but treatment may make them less noticeable. Treatment can also help alleviate the itch but no single treatment works for everyone.
Creams, lotions, and gels sold to treat stretch marks work best when stretch marks first appear. Researchers have discovered that these products work best when massaged gently into your skin every day for several weeks. They have little effect on mature stretch marks.
Prescription medicine that is applied to your skin seem to offer some relief. In two large studies, applying hyaluronic acid to early stretch marks made the stretch marks less noticeable. Tretinoin is a retinoid, which may also make early stretch marks less noticeable. In one study, people who applied this prescription cream every night for 24 weeks had less noticeable stretch marks. Those who didn’t apply the cream saw their early stretch marks grow.
Surgical Solutions for Stretch Marks and Scars
Surgery causes scars. Even plastic surgery, which is designed to improve the appearance, will result in scars. Deep scars can be treated through skin grafts and other surgical procedures, but these are typically designed to restore lost function, not aesthetic perfection.
To give you the best results, Dr. Monique S. Cohn, DO FAOCD may use more than one type of procedure.
Nonsurgical Scar Revision
There are a number of safe and effective nonsurgical scar revision treatments. Some of the most popular options include:
These treatments remove surface layers of the skin, stimulate the body’s natural healing response, and improve the skin’s texture and tone.
Depending on the extent of damage you are having corrected, you may require more than one session for optimal results. For a personal consultation with Dr. Cohn, schedule an appointment on-line or call 330-425-7600 at our Twinsburg office.
