The world has changed greatly and now the internet is seeing an influx of searches relating to wellness, aesthetic, skin, and body care. Stretch mark removal or more appropriately called stretch mark revision is one of the most commonly searched keywords when it comes to the field of aesthetics. Nowadays, people are searching for ways to erase those stretch marks or at least make them less visible. Searches on the internet range from home remedies to remove stretch marks to ointments, creams, and cosmetic surgery.
The presence of stretch marks on different parts of the body can interfere with your self esteem. But the question is, do stretch marks ever really go away? Before exploring options to answer this question, let us first discuss how one gets those pesky stretch marks.
What are stretch marks?
In simple terms, stretch marks are scars under the skin that one gets after the skin stretches more than its limit due to weight or muscle gain and after it snaps back into place during weight loss. This motion of stretching and snapping back creates lesions under the skin that do not get filled again normally. Collagen and elastin growth in these areas is minimal, so that means these lesions will be visible as lines on the skin which we call stretch marks or striae, striae distensae (SD), striae atrophicans, and striae gravidarum. The color of the stretch mark is based on the age of the mark as well as the skin color. The younger the stretch mark the redder it is, while older ones tend to become silvery white.
The likelihood of acquir`ing stretch marks is elevated with pregnancies for women. It can be 50% to 90% as the belly starts expanding and after childbirth as it gets back to it’s non stretched form. Puberty can also be the cause of stretch marks since it is during this stage that the body undergoes rapid growth which pushes the skin to stretch quickly leading to stretch marks. Any strenuous activity or exercise to build muscle can also prompt their appearance. Rapid weight gain in a short span of time can cause stretch marks as well.
There are also medical conditions that can cause stretch marks such as Marfan syndrome. In this condition there is slow production of elastin which decreases elasticity in skin tissue. Cushing’s syndrome speeds up the production of hormones that could lead to rapid weight gain which causes the dermis to break and show stretch marks. Other conditions that require prolonged use of creams, ointments, and lotions with corticosteroids can also cause these marks to appear. Corticosteroids decrease the production of collagen in the skin. Both collagen and elastin support the skin to avoid breakage, and decreased production of these can increase the likeliness of stretch marks.
Do home remedies work?
Home remedies still have no proven results by research. Generally, home remedies are done topically and massaged over the stretch marks. Some of these include, almond oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, or vitamin E oil. These may lighten the stretch marks for some people but it might take a long time for the results to be visible. This might also be the reason for the lack of proof of its effectiveness because people who resort to home remedies get tired of waiting for results or they explore different options which have the promise of quicker results.
Creams, ointment and serums
There are many products advertised that claim to produce quicker and more visible results with continued use. These products may be what some are looking for but it’s important to keep in mind that the key in treating stretch marks is to stimulate collagen and elastin growth under the skin enough to lighten the marks by filling up the lesions through the growth of new, healthy cells!
Collagen and elastin are what make the skin supple and help it to snap back into place when pinched. As people age, the production of collagen and elastin becomes minimal too. It’s important to note that since collagen and elastin are naturally occurring substances in the body, the stretch marks can heal or be less visible naturally through time or as the stretch marks age. Treatment of stretch marks can be done naturally due to the body’s ability to heal itself. The only downside is, since it relies on the body’s healing abilities, it may take a long time for the results to be visible.
Products containing substances that stimulate collagen and elastin growth can be used. In fact, the use of hyaluronic acid has produced positive results among people who used these products. Hyaluroninc acid (HA), is a known substance that encourages the growth of collagen and elastin when applied topically. A lot of medical and non medical products in the market today use HA as a component for its proven benefits. However, application of creams, ointments, and serums require consistency of use over a period of time for visible results. Studies show this is a popular option.
A Definitive resolve
The best way to lessen the visibility of stretch marks is through the Dynamis Pro Laser Scar and Striae Revision procedure offered by SkinVolution Laser and Vein Center in Glendale, Arizona. This is a non-invasive treatment that uses the latest cutting edge laser for safe, precise, and effective sessions. Skinvolution utilizes Fotona’s laser technology which safely and effectively provides the penetration depth required for light resurfacing of damaged skin while, at the same time, stimulating the production of new collagen in the dermis. The precise micro-ablated channels will be replaced with new, tighter, and healthy tissue as the new skin forms. The laser makes small micron thick holes in the skin which produce just enough inflammation to aid your own body to produce collagen and elastin to fill in the stretch mark areas from within. This controlled and precise procedure stimulates the body’s defense mechanisms and natural healing ability which encourages the growth of elastin and collagen in a sustained manner. This in turn helps improve skin texture and tone. Since this is a non-invasive procedure, it is well-tolerated by patients and there is little downtime with each session. Each session takes about 30 minutes depending on the extent of the area.
Call today for a free consultation with our doctor to see if this and any of the other procedures we offer are right for you. For the definitive place for Stretch Mark Revision in Glendale, Arizona please reach out to SkinVolution Laser and Vein Center at 623-244-1902 or send us an email at [email protected]. You can also visit our website at skinvolutionaz.com for more information about this unique cutting edge procedure.
