What are stretch marks?
Stretch marks or Striae are an extremely common form of scarring and occur when the skin is pulled rapidly by growth or stretching, tearing the dermis and stretching the collagen fibres. Stretch marks vary in length and often start as a pinkish red or purple, which over time can fade to a white or silver colour. The most common causes of stretch marks include rapid growth during puberty, rapid weight gain or loss and pregnancy, and can occur to most areas of the body. Stretch marks are often seen as permanent and can affect a lot of people’s body confidence.
Stretch Mark Treatment
As stretch marks affect skin down in the dermis, superficial treatments including the use of moisturisers and oils are generally ineffective. The most ideal treatment for stretch marks include those that work on a dermal level to stimulate and remodel the damaged and stretched collagen and reduce the appearance of colour. Such treatments include:
Skin Needling
Skin Needling or Collagen Induction Therapy is a non-invasive procedure that creates microscopic channels into the skin. This stimulates the wound healing response, triggering the production of new collagen and elastin fibres to correct and re-build the skin’s structure without harming the surface layers of the skin. For those with stretch marks, this improves the depth and size of the Striae by remodelling and reshaping the damaged tissue, as well as repairing and reducing the stretch marks colour.
Laser Toning
Our Laser Toning Treatment utilizes Q-switch laser technology. The rapid speed of the laser combined with a high repetition rate causes vibration in the skin which help stimulate collagen. The 1064nm wavelength specifically targets the deeper layers of the skin to promote new collagen/elastin and the breaking up of deeper pigmentation, whilst avoiding damage to the upper layers of the skin, providing safe treatment for all skin types.
LILT
Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) utilizes 3B cold laser technology, which stimulates cell production by emitting various light wavelengths, triggering a variety of healing, regenerating, stimulating and corrective responses that can stabilise and normalise skin function with no heat, discomfort or downtime. For Stretch Marks, LILT works to stimulate the natural healing response, promote rapid scar tissue repair, collagen production and renewal, resulting in stretch mark reduction and removal.
What about Skin Care?
Home roller
Like Professional Skin Needling, this non-invasive at home treatment uses microscopic needles to treat scarring and stretch marks. While an in-clinic needling treatment focuses on restructuring the dermis and requires downtime, this device uses small surgical stainless-steel needles to create tiny puncture channels in only the superficial layers/epidermis to continually encourage the natural wound healing and regenerating response. Use of a Home roller with a prescribed serum also allows it to penetrate faster and increase product penetration by 100%. Performing this treatment 2 -3 times a week will result in increased collagen production, faded scarring, and a more plump and hydrated skin. As home rollers work on the superficial layers of the skin, it is recommended to use in conjunction with professional in-clinic treatments and recommended homecare for maximum results.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A when applied topically works to thicken and stimulate the dermis which in turn reduces the appearance of scarring and slows the breakdown of collagen and elastin by increasing the amount of collagen deposits. Cosmedix’ Vitamin A (AGP complex), found in Define and Refine Serums, works to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and make the skin look and feel firmer, especially when used In conjunction with a homer roller device. A skin analysis will be performed by your clinician to determine the ideal serum for maximum results.