Stretch marks can be treated with lasers to minimize their appearance.
Stretch marks are most commonly caused by stretching of the skin due to rapid weight gain or pregnancy. Most doctors and scientists agree that a person's susceptibility to the development of stretch marks is largely due to genetic predisposition. Stretch marks, or striae, are the result of the tearing of connective collagen fibers in the dermal layer of skin. Fresh stretch marks look like reddish streaks on the skin and fade to a silvery white color as time passes.
Causes
The skin is divided into two major regions--the superficial epidermis and the deep dermis. The dermis is made mostly of connective tissue in the form of collagen and elastic fibers. Skin elasticity can be affected by a number of factors. While pregnancy, rapid growth and rapid weight gain are the most common causes of stretch marks, they can also be caused by Cushing's syndrome, Marfan's syndrome and other adrenal disorders. Chronic use of steroids or corticosteroid medications can also result in the formation of stretch marks.
Appearance
When collagen bundles deep within the dermis begin to tear, the skin will exhibit reddish or purplish streaks. The streaks themselves will appear to be slightly sunken compared to the surrounding skin. As stretch marks age, their color fades until they are only a silvery or white colored streak. The most common places on the body afflicted by stretch marks are the breasts, buttocks, abdomen, thighs and upper arms.
Laser Treatment
Stretch marks can be embarrassing for people who have them, leading them to seek treatment. Laser therapy is relatively new and provides satisfactory results for people who wish to fade or reduce their stretch marks. This treatment works by stimulating the production of new collagen deep in the dermis. The goal is to fill in the damaged area of skin with new skin. As technology improves, the results are expected to as well. Laser therapy has few side effects and is reported to be only mildly uncomfortable. However, since this is a cosmetic procedure, insurance companies are unlikely to cover the cost of treatment. Additionally, patients should expect to undergo several sessions of laser treatment before noticing results.
Alternative Treatments
Other therapies used to treat the appearance of stretch marks are dermabrasion, a procedure that involves scraping away layers of skin to resurface it and Retin-A cream, a topical medication effective at treating new stretch marks. Retin-A cream is mutagenic and should not be used by pregnant women.
Prevention
Consumers have spent millions of dollars on products claiming to prevent the formation of stretch marks during pregnancy. Stretch marks originate deep in the skin making most topical agents sold over the counter, such as cocoa butter, ineffective. The elasticity of your skin is determined at least in part by your genes, so the best way to predict the likelihood of developing stretch marks is to examine the skin of your ancestors. If you do elect to use a topical product to try to prevent stretch marks, use one that has alpha-hydroxy acids; they have shown some promise as a preventative.
