If you are anything like me, with lots of weight fluctuations and many pregnancies, then you are not a stranger to stretch marks, but all hope is not lost.
The skin gets a particular kind of scar, known as a stretch mark, when it stretches or contracts quickly with the skin’s supporting proteins, collagen and elastin, ripping when things change suddenly.
As the skin heals, stretch marks could develop.
These little rings on the skin are not present on everyone, as hormone fluctuations appear to be part of the reason.
The risk of having stretch marks may also be increased if they run in your family.
Join me as I offer insights into ways to remove or keep your stretch marks to the barest minimum.
Causes of Stretch Marks
There are two basic causes of stretch marks:
Stretching of the skin and a rise in cortisol levels.
Increase in Cortisone:
Your adrenal glands normally create the hormone cortisone.
But having too much of this hormone can cause the skin to become less elastic.
Stretching Skin:
Stretch marks are common during pregnancy because the skin extends in different directions to create room for the growing fetus.
Stretch marks may result from this constant pulling and straining.
Teenagers may also detect stretch marks after a fast growth spurt; stretch marks can also develop as a result of sudden weight gain or loss.
Corticosteroid treatments:
Lotions and pills can cause stretch marks by reducing your skin’s capacity to stretch.
The following situations are more likely to result in stretch marks:
- Puberty-related growth spurts
- Pregnancy,
- Rapid weight loss or increase
- Weight training while your muscles are rapidly growing.
Extended application of corticosteroids to the skin might also result in the development of stretch marks.
If you have Cushing’s illness or Marfan syndrome, you may develop stretch marks.
Stretch marks color differs depending on one’s skin color and may cause itching.
The tiny bands eventually blend into your flesh, and the color ages with time.
When touched, a mature stretch mark frequently elicits a mildly depressed response.
Stretch marks vary based on your skin type, the location on your body, the duration of their occurrence, and the source.
Indented lines or streaks on the belly, breasts, hips, buttocks, or other parts of the body are among the frequent varieties.
Other variations include pink, red, discolored, black, blue, or purple streaks, etc.
Who Are At Risk of Having Stretch Marks?
Anyone can get stretch marks; however, certain things make you more likely to do so, such as:
- Being female.
- Having a personal or family history of stretch marks.
- Being pregnant, especially when you’re young.
- Gaining or losing weight quickly using corticosteroids.
- Having breast augmentation surgery.
- Exercising while using anabolic steroids.
- Having a genetic disorder like Cushing syndrome or Marfan syndrome is a risk factor.
To begin with ..
Many of the creams, lotions, and gels marketed for stretch mark removal have been the subject of research.
Even though no single product seems to work every time and some don’t seem to function at all, researchers have discovered a few helpful methods.
But if you must, use the products on early stretch marks.
Adult stretch marks, however, don’t seem to respond well to treatment.
Is it Possible to Eliminate Stretch Marks?
Just keep in mind that no drug will completely eliminate stretch marks.
Additional guidance on professional methods to lessen the visibility of stretch marks can be obtained from a dermatologist. These methods include:
Tretinoin Cream:
This procedure, also known as Renova and Retin-A, works by repairing collagen, a fibrous protein that gives your skin its flexibility.
Red or pink stretch marks that have recently emerged respond well to this stretch mark removal lotion.
Skin irritation could result from this lotion. Tretinoin cream shouldn’t be applied if you are pregnant.
Hyaluronic Acid Cream:
This may assist if applied regularly to early stretch marks. Hyaluronic acid is generally believed to be safe for most people to use.
Microdermabrasion:
This process involves polishing the skin with small crystals to reveal new skin beneath the more elastic stretch scars.
In some circumstances, microdermabrasion might help make older stretch marks look better.
Laser Stretch Marks Removal
Laser stretch mark removal consists of removing stretch marks with laser resurfacing.
It works by scraping off the outermost layer of skin to help restructure the skin underneath.
Light beams are concentrated during the treatment to promote new growth.
Stretch marks Laser removal might help make stretch marks smoother, which would lessen their appearance, even though it can’t totally get rid of stretch marks.
Stretch mark laser removal before and after photos revealed a striking improvement following stretch mark laser treatments.
Types of Laser Therapy for Stretch Marks Removal
Pulsed dye laser therapy:
The laser treatment for removing stretch marks promotes the development of collagen and elastin.
Newer stretch marks usually respond well to this type of therapy.
If you have a darker skin tone, it can result in some discoloration of your skin.
Fractional Photothermolysis:
For this, a laser is pointed at the skin’s surface.
While it doesn’t do as much harm to the skin as pulsed-dye laser therapy, it works similarly.
Excimer laser therapy:
This stretch mark removal laser treatment encourages the creation of the pigment melanin, which makes stretch marks resemble the surrounding skin.
Furthermore, bear in mind that these procedures may result in adverse effects such as edema, rash, or irritation of the skin.
But a combination of these therapies can help with stomach stretch mark removal.
Not Forgetting..
Inkless Stretch Mark Removal
It is a non-invasive skin treatment that aids in skin restoration by injecting a mixture of vitamins and serums just beneath the skin with the help of small needles.
Think about a painless tattoo technique without the ink.
The procedure promotes the growth of melanocytes, elastin, and collagen.
White Stretch Mark Removal
Lasers are used to penetrate the skin and start the regeneration process.
This causes the tissues near your stretch marks to repair more quickly.
How Much is Laser Stretch Marks Removal?
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) states that for skin resurfacing procedures like stretch mark laser removal, the cost range is $500 to $8,900.
Outside of these projected provider fees, there are frequently additional hidden laser stretch mark removal costs.
Your overall stretch mark removal cost may be affected by: anesthesia; consultations; lab fees; office expenses
Also included is post-treatment pain medication (if required) at stretch mark removal near me
When to Get Advice from a Dermatologist
A board-certified dermatologist can be useful if you find that you are spending a lot of time and money on how to remove stretch marks permanently with no results.
The in-office methods are more efficient than stretch mark removal creams, lotions, and gels, according to research.
Dermatologists can also inform you about any novel stretch mark removal treatments, stretch mark removal pills, or products that might be beneficial.
Stretch mark removal laser before and after pictures show that it’s critical to remember that stretch marks are a form of scarring and are challenging to entirely eliminate.
A key component of successful treatment is having realistic expectations for improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to remove stretch marks?
Dermatologists perform the following procedures:
However, none of them can be said to be the best stretch mark removal procedure because the procedure was only able to lessen the appearance of stretch marks but could not completely eradicate them.
- Laser therapy.
- Chemical peel.
- Radiofrequency
- Ultrasound
Your dermatologist may employ many procedures to offer you the greatest results.
For instance, a dermatologist might use radiofrequency and a pulse dye laser to treat you.
Before addressing ‘how to remove stretch marks after pregnancy fast’ or nursing, consult your doctor.
Some products have components, like retinol, that can be harmful to your unborn child.
How to remove stretch marks quickly?
Possible courses of action include laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasion, and microneedling, which are forms of surgery.
Your healthcare professional will prick your skin with tiny needles during microneedling to apply Retinol.
The source of retinol is vitamin A.
How can stretch marks be naturally removed after losing weight?
Some home remedies to try include:
Vitamin A, sugar, aloe vera, almond oil, baking soda, lemon juice, glycolic acid, and potato juice.
How to remove stretch marks from the breast at home?
- Applying a skin massage. Stretch marks may diminish with massage, as it is known to stimulate blood flow and collagen production.
- Exfoliation.
- Shea butter or cocoa butter.
- Creams or stretch marks removal oil
Combining these can aid in breast stretch marks removal
Is there surgery to remove stretch marks?
The only stretch mark removal surgery is excisional surgery, which involves removing the stretch marks’ affected skin by cutting it out.
However, this procedure leaves a surgical scar, which is not the ideal way to conceal stretch marks.
How to remove old stretch marks?
Treatments include:
- Topical retinoids. Vitamin A-derived topical retinoid lotions may help lessen the visibility of stretch marks.
- Laser treatment. Laser therapy stimulates skin regeneration by using strong laser beams.
- microdermabrasion,
- microneedling
Can stretch marks be removed?
Stretch marks are permanent, just like any scar; however, therapy may make them less apparent.
Before addressing stretch marks when pregnant or nursing, consult your doctor.
Can lasers remove stretch marks?
Stretch mark removal Laser might make stretch marks smoother, which would lessen their appearance, even though it can’t totally get rid of them.
Ablative and non-ablative lasers are both employed in skin resurfacing procedures.
What is the best stretch mark removal cream?
According to experts, you should search for healing components in creams that effectively prevent stretch marks, such as cocoa, shea, and/or jojoba butters, vitamin A, and vitamin E.
Vitamin A supports collagen synthesis, pigmentation, and the healing process.
Strong antioxidant vitamin E is known to aid in the healing of wounds.
Disclaimer
This information is not meant to replace medical care from a licensed healthcare or beauty expert; rather, it is meant for educational and self-awareness purposes.
