Stretch Marks

Stretch marks (Striae) are fine lines on the body that occur from tissue under your skin tearing from rapid growth or over-stretching. It is a common condition that does not cause any significant medical problems but can be of cosmetic concern for some people. Stretch marks are very common, affecting 70% of adolescent girls, 40% of boys, and 80% of women post-pregnancy.

The Science

This rapid growth or stretching of the skin results in the breaking of organized bonds of collagen and elastin. These substances form the scaffolding of the skin. Once broken, stretch marks can occur.

Commonly affected areas include:

Abdomen and breasts in pregnant women
Thighs, buttocks, breasts on adolescents undergoing growth spurts
Different areas on obese or overweight people

Clinical Features

The different types of stretch marks are as follows:

Early Stretch Marks (Striae Rubra): The skin becomes flattened and thin, and colored lines of red, pink, or purple develop perpendicular to the skin tension. They may be itchy as well
Old Stretch Marks (Striae Alba): These stretch marks become light-colored, whitish, and are paper-thin. They are often several cm long and 1-10mm wide
Stretch Marks from Steroid Use or Cushing Syndrome: These are often larger and wider and may involve other regions, including the face

Dr May's Opinion

Stretch marks are very common post-pregnancy, affecting up to 80% of women. The best results for stretch mark treatment are seen when they are treated early with a combination of anti-stretch mark creams, retinoids, and vascular lasers, with most clients having an excellent outcome. Old stretch marks are harder to treat, and even with treatment, the skin rarely returns to its unblemished pre-stretched condition.

Solutions

Different in-clinic treatments can be used for the different types of stretch marks:

Early stretch marks are vascular (hence the red color) and tend to respond well to lasers targeting blood vessels
Older stretch marks are white and devoid of blood vessels - they will also respond to HIFU devices like the Ultraformer MPT
Therapies like Dermapen Microneedling with PRP can stimulate collagen production and improve skin texture

Other Treatments and Strategies

Treatments not available at the Marr Clinic to treat older stretch marks include:

Fraxel and CO2 laser
Ultherapy
Radiofrequency devices like Exilis and Morpheus

Other strategies to employ include:

Prevention: Especially important during pregnancy. Keep the areas moisturized and use Stratamark, a silicone-based cream available over the counter. Stratamark is safe to use during pregnancy.
Retinoids: Used over several months to improve stretch marks by building up the dermal collagen thickness. Note: Prescription retinoids should not be used during pregnancy.
At-Home Skin Needling: Using a 0.2-0.25mm depth with at least 256 needles can improve old stretch marks.

Ready to Transform Your Skin?

Discover how our personalised treatments can help you achieve your skin goals. Book a consultation today to start your journey with The Marr Clinic.

Have a question

If you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our friendly team is here to help you.

SHOP coming soon

Stretch Marks

Solutions

Other Treatments and Strategies

Ready to Transform Your Skin?

Have a question

Book your consult

Contact

Explore

POLICIES