Stretch marks are everywhere, on everyone; teens, adults, men and women. Having “stretchies” or “tiger stripes” is so perfectly human that there is no shame in rocking them! But if your stretch marks leave you feeling less than confident, or you are considering reducing their appearance with treatments or product, read on! In this article we delve into why stretch marks occur and the options available to you, because you can love your stretch marks and still let them go.
What causes stretch marks?
Stretch marks on your body can be the result of any number of reasons. From puberty to pregnancy, to weight gain or weight loss – stretch marks commonly appear after a time of rapid growth, where the skin stretches or shrinks quickly. These sudden changes can cause the skin’s supporting structures to tear, leaving behind a collection of narrow scars called ‘striae’. They’re most commonly found on the hips, breasts, thighs, buttocks, stomach and the shoulders.
In the beginning, these scars can appear raised and be pink, red, purple or even brown in colour. The skin often feels itchy at first but as the scars flatten and fade, any skin irritation also dissipates. Eventually, stretch marks can become much less noticeable and usually remain as thin, silvery lines across the body.
Treatments for stretch marks
You should only feel empowered by your choice to keep or treat your stretchies. You should never feel like you HAVE to do one or the other. If you are looking to reduce or fade the appearance of stretch marks, it is important to remember that while treatments can be effective, not all treatments work for everyone.
We recommend booking in for a complimentary skin consultation, where one of our experienced dermal technicians can assess the area and develop a treatment plan to suit you. Advanced skin treatments for stretch marks most commonly focus on collagen stimulation and deep skin tightening. Your dermal technician may prescribe one of more of the following treatments:
Fractional RF Skin Tightening
Micro-needling or skin needling
Medi-aesthetic Power Peels
Laser Resurfacing
LED Light Therapy
Professional Skincare Products
While these treatments cannot remove stretch marks completely, they can be very effective in making them less noticeable. So, love your lines. Don’t be afraid or ashamed of them – and if you want to explore treatment options – don’t be ashamed of that either.
Book a private and complimentary consultation at your local Australian Skin Clinics today.
