how to deal with stretch marks

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How to Deal with Stretch Marks

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How to Deal with Stretch Marks

What Are Stretch Marks?

• Stretch marks or striae distansae (SMs) are a well-recognized, common skin condition that rarely causes some significant medical problems but is often a significant source of distress for those affected. The characteristic lesions are pink, reddish or purplish indented streaks that often appear on the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks and thighs. Stretch marks are particularly common in pregnant women, especially during the latter half of pregnancy. They also appear in the outer thighs or lower back in in adolescent boys and the buttocks, thighs, upper arms, and breasts in adolescent girls

What Causes Stretch Marks?

• Stretch marks occur in the dermis, the elastic middle layer of the skin that allows it to retain its shape. However, when constantly stretched, the dermis can break down leaving behind stretch marks. They are a type of scar caused by hormones impacting the elastin proteins in the skin.

What Causes Stretch Marks?Causes of SMs are not clear, and a number of theories have been proposed, including• Mechanical effect of stretching leading to the rupture of

the skin fibers (e.g., pregnancy, obesity, weight lifting). • Normal growth, with these marks commonly developing

during adolescence and associated with the rapid increase in size of particular regions of the body.

• Obesity and rapid changes in weight have been shown to be associated with the development of SMs.

• Steroid hormones either induced from local or systemic steroid therapy or associated to Cushing’s disease. Steroids decrease the fibers of the skin (collagen and elastic fibers). SMs are very common in athletes taking steroids.

Signs & Symptoms of Stretch MarksSMs progress through three different stages of maturation:• Acute Stage: The acute stage is characterized

by red, slightly raised streaks. At this stage the lesions may be itchy. (Fig.1)

• Sub-acute stage: Red streaks acquire a darker purple color. (Fig 2)

• Chronic stage: Characterized by bright, flat streaks that fade to light pink, white or grayish color. (Fig 3)

Signs & Symptoms of Stretch Marks

Treatment• There are several treatment options for stretch marks.

If you are serious about dealing with unwanted stretch marks, it's best to be in the care of a surgeon or dermatologist who can recommend your best options. Your doctor will take a detailed medical history, including medications you are taking. Some medications can cause stretch marks, and it is very important to be open and honest with your doctor. Those medications include hormones and steroids.

The following treatments are among those available to help improve the appearance of stretch marks. None has been proved to be more consistently successful than the others.

Topical Treatment• Over-the-counter treatments: Over the counter

stretch mark treatments are available, some of which are effective. They may contain active ingredients such as darutoside and peptides that stimulate collagen production or collagen infused microspheres that encourage the underlying skin cells to absorb moisture and swell. Moisturizers can help with appearance and itchiness. Ingredients such as registril can also work to improve skin tone and appearance. Sunless tanning products can also help mask stretch marks

Topical Treatment Cont’d• Topical retinoids. Some research has shown

that topical tretinoin may improve the appearance of recent stretch marks — those that are less than six weeks old and still pink or red in color. When it works, helps to rebuild collagen, making the stretch mark look more like normal skin, but can irritate the skin. Tretinoin should never be used during pregnancy. This treatment is not effective on older stretch marks.

Cosmetic Procedures• Pulsed dye laser therapy: Used at wavelengths

of light that are non-wounding (non-ablative), this type of laser therapy remodels underlying skin (dermis) by stimulating the growth of collagen and elastin. Pulsed dye laser therapy is most effective when stretch marks are new, but it may still be effective on older stretch marks. This type of treatment may alter skin color on darker skin tones.

Cosmetic Procedures Cont’d• Fractional photothermolysis: Like pulsed dye laser

therapy, this non-ablative laser treatment uses wavelengths of light to stimulate new growth of collagen and elastin. The difference is that it causes partial (fractional) damage to small dot-like areas within a targeted zone. Because most of the treated area remains undamaged, the skin heals quickly.

• Excimer laser: The excimer laser does nothing for collagen or elastin growth. Instead, its aim is re-pigmentation by stimulating melanin production. If it works, the old and lighter streaks become similar in color to the surrounding skin, and therefore less visible. This is often used for older stretch marks