Stretch marks are among the most common concerns of people as far as their skin is concerned. In fact, up to 90% of our population experiences this problem. These stretch marks and scars often appear during or after pregnancy. The presence of stretch marks can also be attributed to a rapid or sudden change in weight. For instance, the rapid growth of adolescents may cause them to develop visible stretch marks.
Major Causes of Scars and Stretch Marks
While stretch marks are common skin concerns capable of affecting anyone, it is still necessary to understand what specifically causes them in the first place, so you will know how to manage and prevent their possible occurrence. Also, stretch marks are never harmful, but it would still be a good idea to seek treatment for the condition to lessen their appearance.
To help you create a proper treatment plan for scars and stretch marks, here are their major causes that you have to address:
What Causes Scars?
- Injury – Your skin may form scars because of an injury. The scars may be big or small, depending on how affected your skin is with the injury.
- Acne – Acne is also a major concern, especially among teens, since having this skin condition may prompt some scars to appear.
- Surgery – Of course, all surgical procedures have one goal: to heal patients. But the same procedure may also cause you to develop scars.
If you want smoother skin, scar removal treatments at Manchester Aesthetics Clinic can help.
What Causes Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks refer to narrow streaks, lines, and stripes that form on your skin. These marks or scars may appear if you suddenly stretch your skin. While stretch marks can affect everyone, women are the ones who often develop them compared to men. Expect the stretch marks to appear on various parts of the body, like the stomach, hips, breasts, thighs, lower back, and upper arms.
Here are the major causes of stretch marks:
- Pregnancy – Around 50 to 90 percent of women develop stretch marks either during their pregnancy or after birth.
- Growth spurt – Rapid growth is common among young people, especially those in their puberty stage. This may trigger stretch marks.
- Rapid weight gain – If you gain too much weight in just a short amount of time, stretch marks may also appear.
- Medical conditions – Some health conditions, like Cushing’s syndrome and Marfan syndrome, may lead to stretch marks. Cushing’s syndrome may cause the excessive production of a hormone, which can result in fragile skin and quick weight gain. Meanwhile, Marfan syndrome can make your skin tissues less elastic. All these can stimulate the formation of stretch marks.
How Stretch Marks and Scars Form?
So, how do stretch marks form exactly? The answer is mainly based on your skin structure. Your skin has three key layers. Expect stretch marks to appear in the middle layer or dermis in case your connective tissues get stretched beyond what your skin’s elasticity can handle. It could be because of your skin’s rapid contraction or expansion.
The growth of your body can also lead to slow stretching in the dermis, thereby accommodating the slow growth. Note, though, that rapid growth also results in sudden stretching, making it possible for the dermis to tear. This further causes the tearing of the dermis, making it possible for your skin’s deeper layers to show.
How to Treat Scars and Stretch Marks?
Have you recently noticed the presence of stretch marks in certain parts of your skin? Then don’t fret, as there are ways to treat them, among which are the following:
Microneedling
Microneedling is one of the most commonly used procedures in a dermatologist’s clinic as it helps improve your skin’s appearance. It gets rid of stretch marks and fades scars.
The whole microneedling procedure actually involves the use of thin needles when it comes to poking your skin. This move can form tiny skin injuries that actually help in stimulating the growth of elastin and collagen. Expect to see microneedling producing visible results within just a few months. This procedure is highly recommended for stretch mark removal treatments.
Laser Therapy
Getting rid of scars and stretch marks is also possible with laser therapy. There’s what we call the pulsed dye laser therapy, which is basically a painless procedure that uses a blast of light applied to red and new stretch marks. The energy of the light helps in calming the blood vessels beneath your skin that triggered the marks. The constant use of this therapy can definitely help stretch marks disappear.
There is also excimer therapy, which exposes your stretch marks to UVB light. It is considered a safe treatment, especially in terms of correcting pigment problems caused by stretch marks.
Skin Peels
Skin or chemical peel refers to an acidic solution, which works by burning off the topmost part or layer of your skin. The goal here is to get rid of damaged and dead skin cells and stimulate the growth of new ones. This kind of treatment may fade stretch marks, but take note that it won’t be able to get rid of this condition completely.
Microdermabrasion
You can also resolve scars and stretch marks by undergoing microdermabrasion, a procedure that uses small crystals when it comes to rub off the topmost part or layer of your skin. It supports the fading of reddish and new stretch marks, especially if you combine this procedure with skin peels.
Consultation: Book a Consultation for a Stretch Mark Treatment Now
Scars and stretch marks are skin conditions that can be resolved with the right treatment. You can fade them or get rid of them from your skin permanently. Fortunately, it is now possible to find the most suitable and effective treatment for your case with the help of the Manchester skin clinic. Just book a consultation now, and you will be able to tackle the best solution that’s perfect for your skin.
