Don’t be alarmed.
We know that’s easier said than done when red stretch marks pop up. Especially if they're vibrant in colour and cover large parts of your body. But they’re entirely natural and not harmful—they’re considered a cosmetic skin concern.
That said, you might be feeling uncomfortable with the way your skin looks and feels. Perhaps you’re wondering what stretch marks are and whether your skin will look like this forever.
Let's skip to the good bit. It doesn't have to! Keep reading to learn all about stretch marks and what you can do about them.
What are Stretch Marks
You’re probably pretty familiar with stretch marks already, given that it’s estimated that up to 90% of people get them. They look like dark indented lines that cover large areas of your body, including your buttocks, stomach, thighs, hips and breasts. Yours might be red, purple, brown or pink.
You might have first noticed them during a growth spurt or when you were pregnant, as these are two common times for them to appear.
In essence, they are scars. And typical of most scars, when left to their devices, they fade but remain a permanent mark on your body.
They can leave you feeling pretty ho-hum about the way your skin looks.
What Causes Stretch marks
Stretch marks are caused by your skin stretching or shrinking rapidly.
There are 3 layers of skin. The two top layers of skin are called the dermis and the epidermis. Underneath this, there's a fatty subcutaneous layer.
When tissue underneath the skin expands or contracts, the skin stretches to accommodate these changes. However, when this happens over a short time, inflammation can occur in the skin. This is what causes stretch marks.
White Stretch Marks
“But my stretch marks are white, not red!”
If this is the case for you, it means they're probably older stretch marks. Over time inflammation subsides, and the silvery or white scars remain. While stretch marks are still in the red, brown or purple phase, there are still blood vessels present under the skin. As time passes, these narrow. Without blood vessels it's harder to stimulate collagen production, which is needed to reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
The earlier you target your stretch marks, the greater your chance of success.
Will I Get Stretch Marks?
Some people come through pregnancy without a mark on them, yet others will have substantial stretch marks early on. There's not a lot of evidence to suggest why some people are more likely than others to get stretch marks. However, there are links to genetics and some chronic and genetic diseases.
Other factors that could lead to the development of stretch marks include:
Rapid weight gain or loss
Growth spurts
Getting pregnant (especially when younger)
Steroid use
Breast implants
Stretch marks in pregnancy
Stretch marks are common in pregnant women. While they could appear anytime, you're particularly susceptible during the last trimester. While it’s estimated 8/10 women will get stretch marks while pregnant, stretch marks don’t just affect pregnant women. The stretch marks you gain during pregnancy often fade about 6 months after giving birth.
Signs of Stretch marks
So how do you know if you’ve got stretch marks?
They look like lines that are a different colour and texture from the rest of your skin. They could initially be red, purple, brown, or pink before fading into silver or white. You’ll probably also notice their shiny texture. When you touch them, they may be slightly indented or ridged.
Stretch marks look different for everyone. Factors like your skin colour and its elasticity impact how they look.
If you have any concerns, always consult your doctor to diagnose your condition and offer advice for the next steps.
Preventing stretch marks
You’ve probably heard the expression “prevention’s better than cure.”
Because genetics play a role, you may not be able to prevent stretch marks from forming. But there are a few things you can do to try to mitigate the risk.
Maintain a healthy weight
Because rapid fluctuations in weight often cause stretch marks, maintaining a steady, healthy weight is a great way to help keep them at bay. If you plan to lose weight or bulk up, try to do so gradually.
Eating vitamins and minerals
Some nutrients can help improve the skin's appearance and resiliency. These include Vitamin A, C and E, as well as Zinc and protein.
Staying hydrated inside and out
Just one more reason to try to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day! Soft, hydrated skin could help reduce the risk of stretch marks. You can also boost your skin's supply of Hyaluronic Acid. Many Dp Dermaceuticals contain HylaFuse, a Hyaluronic Acid formulation with 3 molecule sizes to reach deeper skin layers. (More on this later!)
Stretch Marks Misinformation
There’s a lot of misinformation out there about stretch marks. So we're debunking some of the most ludicrous claims.
Thin people don’t get stretch marks
Anyone of any weight could get stretch marks. If you grow (and we all do!), you're at risk of stretch marks. If you undergo a growth spurt, you could be just as likely to get stretch marks.
Only pregnant women get stretch marks
While stretch marks are common amongst pregnant women, this is not the only time you can get stretch marks. And yes, men can get stretch marks too!
You can cover stretch marks with a tan
Apart from the obvious skin cancer danger that comes with sun tanning, this also wouldn’t work as the scars contain little to no melanin, making them appear more prominent when you tan.
Topical creams/oils DON’T remove stretch marks
This is a tricky one! There are plenty of creams and lotions out there promising the world when it comes to stretch marks. But there’s no miracle eraser. Some studies suggest that Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid could help reduce the appearance of early stretch marks. RETINAL ACTIVE™ contains both these powerful actives. Using SSSCAR™ scar cream on stretch marks could also help diminish the visible signs of these scars.
There’s nothing you can do about stretch marks
Now for the good news! You CAN help reduce the appearance of your stretch marks with Dermapen Treatments. Rather than turning to topical creams as the solitary solution to your problem, instead think of them as a great way to support your Dermapen Treatment™ results.
How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks
Scrolling through the internet, it would be easy to think there’s nothing you can do about your stretch marks but learn to love them.
And while we fully support self-love, that doesn't mean you can't do anything about your stretch marks if they're distressing you (or you'd simply like to have your smooth skin back, please!)
Dermapen Treatments are a safe, effective, and non-invasive way to reduce the appearance of your stretch marks without any downtime.
How Dermapen Treatments Work for Stretch Marks
Many practitioners and patients tell us that Dermapen Treatments have been more effective than other traditional methods, including lasers or superficial creams.
Side note — Dermapen Treatments aren’t simply microneedling your scars, although this is the core procedure. Our Authorised Treatment Providers are specially trained on our proven Protocols to get you results. This includes depth and speed settings, how often to perform a procedure, and interval. They will also support you with the right products that work within the skin to reverse your skin concerns.
3 Ways Dermapen Treatments Reduce the Appearance of Stretch Marks
Dermapen Treatments are a triple threat to your stretch marks. They help restore smooth, even skin in the following ways.
During the needling, existing fibrous tissue is released and broken down via mechanical methods.
After the needling, regulatory growth factors and normalised wound healing promote the growth and proliferation of regulated tissue—like that of unscarred skin.
During the needling, Dp Dermaceuticals Meso-Glides™ are infused into the skin. Following the microneedling, ÜBER MD chemical peel can be applied to accelerate results. Both of these products can aid further stimulation of collagen or provide a regulatory effect.
What is a Meso-Glide?
These professional-grade serums help the Dermapen 4 glide across the skin. The needles push the active ingredients deeper into the skin than topical application for more outstanding results.
Professional Microneedling Serum for Stretch Marks: MG-R.A.S.
This speciality serum facilitates collagen induction to help reduce the visible signs of ageing and scars, including stretch marks. It contains potent, high-quality active ingredients, such as:
Retinaldehyde: The most active form of retinoid (Vitamin A) promotes improved cellular regulation and quality.
Copper Peptides: These fibroblast activators help neutralise the damaging effects of free radicals.
Centella Asiatica: A potent anti-inflammatory that supports wound healing.
HylaFuse™: Our patented hyaluronic formulation with 3 molecular weights to reach different levels in the skin. It’s clinically proven to be absorbed 150% more effectively than other forms of hyaluronic acid.
Watch as Your Stretch Marks Disappear
Sure, you can keep spending your money on over-the-counter creams that offer unpredictable outcomes at best. Or you can follow in the footsteps of 3 million Dermapen Treatments. Microneedling is a non-invasive, effective procedure that provides benefits beyond reducing the appearance of your stretch marks. It's safe on all skin types and colours (unlike some laser treatments and chemical peels) and can help improve your overall skin tone, texture, and pigmentation.
Find out more about getting back your firm and smooth skin by booking a consultation with an Authorised Treatment Provider today.
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