Dermatology Weekly Update

Stretch marks, or striae as they are sometimes called, are usually considered to be a female only skin problem or a problem for the overweight. However they can affect all kinds of people including men, children and people of normal weight.

What are stretch marks?

Stretch marks are depressed areas of skin that appear in stripes or lines on your body. They occur when the elastic connective tissue, an essential part of your skin’s structure, tears slightly.

They usually appear on the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks and breasts and less often on the legs and arms if the skin there has been stretched.

They usually start out red, pink, purple or brown in color but will fade to a white or silvery color over time. Mostly they cause no problems but some people find that their stretch marks feel sensitive or itchy.

What causes stretch marks?

The main causes of stretch marks are:

• Rapid weight gain
• Pregnancy
• Puberty
• Medications such as corticosteroids for eczema
• Muscle building exercise (on the arms and legs)

Is there any treatment for stretch marks?

The first thing to understand, if you have stretch marks, is that you are not alone; they are a very common skin problem. Many people have them and remember  – the photos you see in magazines of models with perfect skin are likely to have been heavily airbrushed.

That said stretch marks can cause discomfort and embarrassment and if you have particularly noticeable stretch marks on your body you may want to do something about it.

There are two main types of treatment for stretch marks, laser treatment and microdermabrasion.  They are both safe and effective but may not work on darker skin tones.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is your best choice for older stretch marks that have already turned silver or white in color. It works by removing the damaged cells from the upper layer of the skin and can help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks noticeably.

What is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical, painless procedure that offers skin rejuvenation without the use of laser or chemicals.

During the treatment the therapist treats the affected area with a hand held device that delivers a steady flow of medical grade microcrystals. These fine crystals, delivered at high speed, offer an advanced form of exfoliation taking away the upper layer of dead skin cells to reveal skin that is smoother and more evenly textured.

What’s more the underlying skin epidermis is stimulated during Microdermabrasion and this encourages the production of new collagen, which in turn protects the skin’s dermis helping to promote healthy skin growth in the long term.

You may experience some skin redness after treatment but this fades quickly and you will be able to go about your usual routine immediately.

With stretch marks you may need up to 6 or more Microdermabrasion treatments before you notice the full effects.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment works better on early stretch marks that are red, purple or pink as the laser works on the engorged blood vessels that cause the skin discoloration.

How does laser treatment work?

High intensity laser beams target the stretch marks by penetrating the skin and stimulating the production of collagen. This has a tightening effect on the skin making it appear plumper and fuller.

Before applying the laser your therapist will apply a special cream to the affected area to numb the area and make it more comfortable. Many people feel a ‘flicking’ sensation during the process but it is not painful as such. Each treatment takes around 30 minutes depending on the area being treated.

After laser treatment, the area may appear to be red and slightly swollen, however this should decrease over the next 7 days.

For stretch marks up to 4 or more treatments may be needed to see visible improvements although some people notice a difference after just 1 treatment.

Often when people think of a dermatologist, they think of a doctor who treats conditions like acne, eczema and the like. Actually, dermatologists have a whole arsenal of treatments available to help you look your very best, from evening out your skin tone to getting rid of the tattoo you now regret.

Laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is an effective treatment for getting rid of unwanted hair, especially the kind that grows on your face. While shaving leaves stubble, and tweezing and waxing are both painful and temporary, laser hair removal actually uses a beam of light to damage the hair follicle itself, preventing future hair growth. This type of hair removal is done over several sessions and may require some touch-up later, but the results are beautiful and will make your life much more convenient. While the treatment may not be completely permanent, any hair that does grow will be much finer and slower-growing than before.

Microdermabrasion

This treatment can help smooth away a variety of flaws, including discoloration of the skin, fine lines, light scarring, sun damage and some stretch marks. Microdermabrasion can also help treat acne, age spots and large pores. If you can imagine a very small and fine power sander, then you can understand the idea behind microdermabrasion. The microparticles on the wand remove the top layer of skin, revealing the pristine skin beneath, and help stimulate the skin to grow. It also encourages the growth of collagen, improving the texture and condition of the skin, overall.

Tattoo removal

Your mother may have warned you that the tattoo across your lower back or around your arm is permanent. The good news is, it actually doesn’t have to be. Tattoo removal can be done through a number of methods, such as dermabrasion, cryosurgery, excision and laser removal.

Today, the standard is laser removal, which is far less painful than older methods, especially cryosurgery and excision. Additional benefits of laser tattoo removal include lower risk of infection and scarring, and fewer side effects. Some tattoo colors are easier to remove than others; blue and black can be removed much easier than yellow and green. The laser causes the pigment under the skin to break down into tiny fragments and particles, which can then be disposed of by the body’s own immune system.

Stretch mark removal

Many products are marketed, especially to mothers, offering to remove stretch marks. Oils, creams, pills, massage techniques — the list goes on and on. The truth is, none of these are particularly effective. They may moisturize and improve the condition of the skin, but that’s about it. Dermatologists, on the other hand, have tools at their disposal to help fade the stretch mark to the point where it is barely noticeable.

Stretch marks are formed when the elastic fibers below our skin are stretched too far, and become damaged. When the marks first appear they are often red, but fade to white or silver with time. Laser therapy can help fade the redness of stretch marks and decrease inflammation, improve the skin’s texture and diminish white marks to the point where they can barely be seen. A series of treatments may be required, depending on the extent of the problem, but you should notice improvement fairly quickly. The laser targets the collagen and elastin in the skin, inducing growth and remodeling. This treatment may not be for everyone, and your dermatologist should do a skin patch test first, to determine if it will work well for you.