Stretch Marks: Causes and How to Get Rid of Them

A stretch mark is a type of scar that appears when your skin stretches too quickly and breaks collagen and elastin.

This often occurs during growth spurts, pregnancy, puberty, weight gain, or increased muscle mass when your skin suddenly stretches and causes the collagen under your skin to tear away from each other.

Stretch marks are extremely common in adults. Did you know 50% and 90% of women develop stretch marks during pregnancy?

There is no need to cover them up or change them- stretch marks are natural! And, men get them too. 

But, if you don’t like how they look and have been searching for a stretch mark removal treatment that works, keep reading. 

This post will cover everything you need to know about stretch marks, including the best in-office treatments proven to deliver visible results.

What Causes Stretch Marks?

When your skin rapidly stretches or shrinks, it causes the elastin and collagen in your skin to break.  As your skin heals, stretch marks can appear in areas where elastin breaks.

Can You Get Rid of Stretch Marks?

The big answer: the harsh reality is that treating stretch marks is difficult. And unfortunately, they do not disappear on their own. 

That said, some treatments can significantly improve the appearance of stretch marks, making them far less noticeable. 

When Should I Get Treatment? 

Sooner is better. Treating stretch marks when they first appear will yield the best results. Older, more pronounced stretch marks can be much more challenging to treat.

Does Cocoa Butter Get Rid of Stretch Marks?

No! Despite popular belief, studies show that cocoa butter, coconut oil, almond oil, and olive oil do not effectively treat or prevent stretch marks. Tragic. 

What Do Stretch Marks Look Like? 

Depending on your skin tone, stretch marks can vary in appearance.

On lighter skin tones, stretch marks may look red when they first appear. Over time they lighten to a pale white hue. On darker skin tones, stretch marks appear purplish at first and then lighten over time.  

The Best In-Office Treatments for Stretch Marks

Stretch marks result in areas of the skin where the collagen and elastin are damaged.  The best treatments to improve stretch marks are directed at rebuilding collagen in damaged areas.

Here are 3 of the best ways to do this.

1.    LASERS

Laser treatments like deliver pulses of light energy into your skin to create micro-injuries to the sub-dermal layers of the skin. This triggers your body’s natural healing process and stimulates collagen production, which can help to lighten and smooth the appearance of stretch marks.

2.    RADIO-FREQUENCY (RF) MICRO NEEDLING

A series of RF Microneedling treatments is one of the most effective methods to dramatically smooth textured stretch marks and fade discoloration on all skin types.

RF Microneedling works by delivering thermal energy deep into the dermis to stimulate collagen production and essentially “shrink wrap” the lower layers of your skin.  This provides a tightening effect while breaking up pigment, boosting volume and brightening overall.

3.     PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP)

During a PRP treatment, a small amount of your blood is drawn by a certified phlebotomist and placed in a high-powered centrifuge. 

This nutrient-rich serum is deposited deep into tiny micro-channels created by your treatment choice, reaching the skin’s dermal layers and stimulating new collagen production.  

When used alone, PRP will work best on newer stretch marks. Combining PRP with resurfacing lasers, micro-needling, or radio frequency micro-needling for older stretch marks will deliver dramatic results.

The Wrap Up

Remember, stretch marks are natural, and most adults have them (or will have them).

If you are interested in stretch mark treatments, remember that in-office procedures are proven to be far more effective than creams, lotions, and gels.

Thinking about trying a stretch mark removal treatment?

Flash Lab in NYC will work with you to determine the best treatment plan to eliminate your stretch marks and achieve the most dramatic results.

BOOK ONLINE with Flash Lab today or call us at 646.998.5277.

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