The Truth About Stretch Marks: How To Manage These Streaks

As the body grows and ages with time, it leaves remnants of proofs of its hard work – one of which being stretch marks.

Whether you got your stretch marks during a growth spurt in your teenage years or earned them during your pregnancy, know this: stretch marks are perfectly normal! They are, after all, proof that your body is working hard to heal and repair itself.

You may have chosen to embrace each and every one of the streaks on your skin, or conversely, have decided to remove them altogether. Whatever decision you wish to make, let us give you a brief rundown on everything you need to know about them.

Stretch Marks: What Goes Under The Skin

As the name suggests, stretch marks are common dermal lesions caused by the stretching of the skin. Histological findings show that the disruption to the normal fibre network will cause the skin to become significantly less firm, elastic and deformable than normal skin.

The loss of both elastic tissue and collagen in the skin is requisite for the development of two types of stretch marks: striae rubrae (acute stage) and striae albae (chronic stage).

Clinically, newly formed stretch marks are characterised by pigmented linear lesions that don’t possess any substantial depression of the skin. These lesions will mature and lose their pigmentation, becoming smaller and depressed, effectively shifting to striae albae.

Despite having no apparent causes, stretch marks are known to develop in various physiological and pathological states. Common in 50%-90% of pregnant women, stretch marks also appear in those suffering from Cushing syndrome, obesity, Marfan syndrome, and diabetes mellitus, amongst many others.

Whilst they in and of themselves don’t pose any health risks, these scratch marks may cause burning and itching due to the inflammation of blood capillaries. Moreover, these lesions can leave a deep psychological impact and cause emotional distress on those who have them.

Prevention Of Stretch Marks

There are a number of topical treatments that claim to prevent the appearance of stretch marks. Ingredients such as centella, bitter almond oil and olive oil are advertised to be ingredients that can prevent stretch marks, but such claims are mostly unfounded.

Stretch Marks Treatments

Unfortunately, there has yet to be a fool proof solution that can permanently and completely get rid of stretch marks. There are, however, treatments that can improve the appearance of these lesions. If you wish to reduce the severity of their appearance, here are a few treatments that you may want to consider adding to your routine.

1. Topical Creams

Arguably the most accessible and affordable remedy out of the available treatments, topical creams are usually the go-to for many affected patients. Majority claim to improve the appearance of stretch marks via various mechanisms of action, including stimulating collagen production, increasing skin elasticity, rehydration, anti-inflammatory properties and enhancing cell proliferation.

If you wish to opt for stretch mark creams, choose those with one of the three ingredients that have the most data on reducing the appearance of stretch marks: hyaluronic acid, silicone and prescription retinoids.

Generally, these topical creams respond better when the stretch marks are still early and at the acute stage.

2. Microneedling

Another treatment worth considering is microneedling. This raved derma roller or derma pen procedure uses small needles to prick the skin to induce micro-trauma to the skin. This will then trigger the collagen production and tissue repair for smoother, firmer, and toned skin. Typically, you’ll need multiple rounds of microneedling sessions to notice a difference in your stretch marks.

3. Enerjet Treatment

The EnerJet 2.0 is a unique energy-based platform which offers treatment solutions for all scar types including acne scars, keloid and hypertrophic scars, an white linea albae.

EnerJet uses Jet Volumetric Remodeling (JVR) technology – a high-pressure jet technology to laterally introduce healing agents such as a hyaluronic acid filler deep into the dermal layer of the skin for a wide range of aesthetic and therapeutic indications. The healing compound, combined with kinetic energy, creates a controlled microtrauma, which results in stimulation of the body’s natural healing response. The jet disperses into the target zone to cover 100 times the area of a single 32G needle entry point, leaving minimal signs on the outer layer of the skin (only 200 microns). This single, innovative, non-thermal and non-surgical solution is suitable for all skin types and all areas of the body. EnerJet is ideal for scar repair and dermal thickening, and is proven to deliver superior and long-lasting clinical results.

4. Aesthetic Lasers

Suppose you’ve already tried the aforementioned treatments and have yet to see any significant change to your stretch marks. If so, you may want to consider opting for aesthetic lasers as your next alternative.

Since stretch marks are areas of the skin where the collagen is damaged, treatments that help stimulate the rebuilding and restructuring of the dermis are the best approach when dealing with treating the appearance of these streaks.

Pulsed Dye Laser

The Vbeam Perfecta is one of the most trusted Pulsed Dye Lasers with over 20 FDA-cleared indications which boasts a host of benefits including treating redness, stubborn acne and acne scars, and is useful in the treatment of striae rubrae.

The Vbeam Laser delivers an intense but gentle burst of light delivered in long pulses onto the skin. The longer pulse delivers laser energy to selectively target blood vessels without adversely affecting the surrounding tissue. The resultant effect is a gentle heating and uniform coagulation. The body gradually absorbs the treated blood vessels during the natural healing process. The patented cryogen-based Dynamic Cooling Device is operator-independent and scales with fluence to consistently protect the epidermis.

PicoWay Resolve

PicoWay Resolve is one of such aesthetic laser procedures that have been proven to be effective in reducing the severity of these marks. Unlike conventional nanosecond laser that delivers light energy in one billionth of a second, PicoWay Resolve technology provides high peak power with precise picosecond pulses. This gives way to a non-thermal, photoacoustic effect, effectively transforming skin from the inside out.

Using over 100 identical small beamlets, PicoWay Resolve will cause a photoacoustic effect where tiny areas under the skin will vaporise, leaving open spaces where new collagen and elastin will fill up over time. This helps to improve skin tone and texture, and is an optimal non-ablative solution for both striae rubrae and striae albae.

PicoSure Focus

Another aesthetic laser treatment that is effective in treating stretch marks is the PicoSure Focus. Also known as Focused Lens Array (FOCUSTM), this procedure combines Picosecond technology with powerful Focus Lens Array to target signs of skin irregularities – stretch marks included. It uses a diffractive lens array handpiece capable of delivering laser energy as apexes of high-fluence regions surrounding low-fluence regions.

Not only are these Pico laser treatments extremely effective, but they are also non-invasive. This translates to negligible downtime rejuvenation, and patients can quickly resume their regular activities once the procedure has ended.

Final Thoughts

At Angeline Yong Dermatology, we understand how appearance can influence one’s self-esteem and mental health. If your self-esteem and confidence are affected by the appearance of stretch marks – or any other skin conditions, for that matter – we’re here to help!

Armed with over 15 years of medical practice, Dr Angeline Yong is equipped with the experience and expertise in not only diagnosing and identifying the type of pathology, but also wielding only scientifically-backed technology. Moreover, as a dermatologist who believes in holistic patient care, Dr Yong also offers customised treatment plans for optimal results.

Give your self-confidence a quick boost by smoothing out your scratch marks! Contact us at AYD to book a consultation with Dr Yong.

References

Ud‐Din, S., McGeorge, D., & Bayat, A. (2016). Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae. Journal of the European academy of dermatology and venereology, 30(2), 211-222.

Liu, L., Ma, H., & Li, Y. (2014). Interventions for the treatment of stretch marks: a systematic review. Cutis, 94(2), 66-72.

Wollina, U., & Goldman, A. (2017). Management of stretch marks (with a focus on striae rubrae). Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery, 10(3), 124.

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The Truth About Stretch Marks: How To Manage These Streaks