YOUR SKIN CHALLENGE: STRETCH MARKS / STRIAE
Stretch Marks are a form of scarring, caused by the tearing of the dermis, which appear on the surface of the skin in long streaky lines, initially coloured from pink, or red, to purple, but usually fade to whitish or silvery shades over time. Usually slightly raised at first, they may even out in time, and become less noticeable, but stretch marks removal will never happen without stretch marks treatment.
Causes of stretch marks
Stretch marks are the result of the rapid stretching of the skin associated with rapid growth (common in puberty) or weight gain (e.g. pregnancy) that overcomes the dermis’ elasticity. Although stretch marks are generally associated with pregnancy and obesity, they can also develop during rapid muscle growth. They first appear as reddish or purple lines, but tend to gradually fade to a lighter colour. The affected areas appear empty and soft to the touch.
Prevention
Stretch marks are very common and can’t always be prevented. However, the following advice may help reduce your risk of developing stretch marks.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet that’s rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin E, vitamin C, and the minerals zinc and silicon. These vitamins and minerals will help keep your skin healthy.
- Keep your body well hydrated. Your skin needs to be hydrated for optimal skin elasticity. It is recommended that you get 8-12 essential oilsglasses of water each day.
- Oil stretch marks treatments – Beneficial oils include: Olive oil, Vitamin E oil, Essential oils, and castor oil. Vitamin E oil can help improve skin elasticity as well and therefore prevent stretch marks. Most of these oils work because of their antioxidant properties which reduce free radical damage.
- Zinc deficiency is one reason people are more likely to get stretch marks. Zinc is a natural trace mineral and one of the most abundant in the body. Zinc is also used in the production of collagen and also contains antioxidant properties.
Treatment
At Dr Bhabha Aesthetics we offer a variety of stretch marks treatments including laser stretch mark removal to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. After a consultation with one of our doctors, the appropriate treatment will be recommended and discussed with you in detail. Some of the treatments we offer for stretch marks are:
Therapy involves injecting tiny amounts of Carbon dioxide (CO2) beneath the skin to break down fatty deposits and stimulate collagen production. After a treatment the gas is totally reabsorbed within 5 minutes and the treated area will raise, turn slightly red as oxygen perfused into the area which undergoes an inflammatory response which stimulates collagen production. Find out more >>
Mesotherapy is a soothing cocktail of potent vitamins and anti-oxidants delivered directly into the mesoderm (the middle layer of the skin) via a painless radio frequency procedure. This technology transports the molecules straight into the skin. The treatment has been shown to rejuvenate the skin, reduce fat and help improve skin tone and appearance. Find out more >>
The Dermapen is an automated-micro needling therapy system that vertically pierces the skin to naturally stimulate collagen and elastin with minimal epidermal damage. The procedure is normally completed within 20 minutes for the entire face and neck and up to 60 minutes for the body depending on the size of the problem area. There is minimal downtime after this treatment as you may experience facial redness for 12-48 hours after the procedure. Most people are able to return to normal daily activities immediately after the treatment. Find out more >>