Treating Stretch Marks: The Best Professional Options

Treating Stretch Marks: The Best Professional Options : For some people, stretch marks are mild and no more than a minor convenience, but for others, they can be a real blight and even a source of embarrassment.

Read our guide to stretch marks and learn how they can be treated and banished for good.

What are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks, also called striae, are groups of indented streaks or marks on the skin which can be red, white, pink or purple in colour. They occur as the result of stretching of the skin for instance through pregnancy or weight gain and over time can grow to look like scars. Sometimes they can feel smooth to the touch and at other times can feel slightly ridged. Stretch marks most commonly appear on the stomach, hips, upper arms, thighs and buttocks and they affect men as well as women.

Causes of Stretch Marks

The most common causes are rapid weight gain and loss or pregnancy, as the result of an increase in certain hormones, notably cortisone, and the natural stretching of the skin. Teenagers often find stretch marks appearing following a growth spurt.

Certain medical conditions can also cause stretch marks to appear such as Cushing’s Syndrome, Marfan’s Syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, as can medications such as corticosteroids.

Milder stretch marks can fade over time but this can take a number of years, and even then, the marks will never totally fade on their own. For many people, these marks can be unsightly and distressing so it’s no wonder that they can become anxious to be rid of them.

Do Home Remedies Work?

There are several products available which claim to ‘improve the appearance of stretch marks’ and these include creams or lotions which contain cocoa butter, aloe vera or hyaluronic acid. Vitamin A preparations are also touted as remedies for stretch marks. However, any over-the-counter treatment will not contain enough of the active ingredient to make any real difference and will not work on older stretch marks, so these can never be able to provide the same results as professional treatments which have been formulated over many years under strict rules and regulations.

Seek Out More Effective Professional Treatment for Better Results

Depending on the severity and area of the body showing the stretch marks there are several professional treatments for you to consider. These include, but are not limited to:

Collagen Induction Therapy:

This is a minimally invasive procedure which is performed under sterile conditions with the use of anaesthetic cream to numb the area to be worked on. A hand-held medical-grade micro-needling device is used to assist the penetration of collagen into the skin. The treatment stimulates the deeper layers of the skin to produce new collagen which has the effect of lifting and tightening the skin. Collagen Induction Therapy is safe and effective for all skin types and has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of stretch marks very quickly. The number of sessions you will need will depend on the severity of your stretch marks.
Advanced Dermabrasion:

This is a very effective and painless method requiring no anaesthesia which works through a hand-held device which blows very fine crystal particles onto the area to be treated. This has the effect of ‘polishing’ and levelling the surface of the skin and helping to stimulate new skin cell growth. You may require several sessions to see the benefits.
The Derma White Treatment:

A completely non-invasive peeling treatment, this is a safe alternative using a mixture of herbs, minerals and vitamins which is gently massaged into the skin. The aim is to stimulate and promote collagen growth while improving blood circulation and the supply of oxygen to the area to be treated.

With all these options available, there’s no need to put up with stretch marks if they are causing you to feel uncomfortable. Why not look into your options for reducing their impact on your skin, and your well-being?