Stretch marks are a frequent concern at Kalos Medical Spa, and one which tends to return with a protracted historical past of disappointing outcomes from over-the-counter merchandise. Sufferers arrive having tried cocoa butter, vitamin E oil, Bio-oil, retinol lotions from the pharmacy, and each at-home curler on TikTok, solely to search out that the marks on their stomach, thighs, hips, or arms have barely modified.
The explanation these merchandise disappoint has to do with what a stretch mark truly is. This information explains why stretch marks are so cussed, why most lotions don’t work, and which medical-grade remedies at our Fort Value medical spa can genuinely enhance their look. We will even cowl when a surgical session with Board-Licensed Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby makes extra sense than non-surgical therapy.
What Stretch Marks Truly Are
Stretch marks, recognized medically as striae distensae, are literally scars. When tissues stretch quickly, throughout being pregnant, a development spurt, or weight achieve, the collagen and elastin fibers within the dermis (the deeper, 2nd layer of pores and skin) tear and heal in a disorganized sample.Â
Collagen is the protein that retains tissues agency and easy and supply construction; elastin is what permits the tissues to recoil. When these fibers are broken, the result’s a linear scar, usually with a noticeably completely different texture and coloration than the encircling tissues.
Stretch marks undergo two normal levels:
- Striae rubra (early stage): Crimson, pink, or purple marks which might be new and nonetheless lively. The discoloration comes from dilated blood vessels beneath the floor. That is when remedies work greatest.
- Striae alba (mature stage): White or silver marks which have misplaced pigmentation. The scar tissue is about, and enchancment is extra gradual.
Understanding which stage you’re in helps decide which therapy will provide you with the most effective consequence.
Why Lotions, Oils, and Vitamin E Normally Disappoint
Most over-the-counter merchandise marketed for stretch marks solely attain the floor of the pores and skin, the dermis. Stretch marks are within the dermis, under the floor. A moisturizer or oil that sits on high of the tissues can not reorganize scar tissue under, regardless of how repeatedly you apply it.
The analysis is constant on this level. Research evaluating cocoa butter, almond oil, vitamin E, and related topicals have usually discovered minimal profit past primary hydration. Hydrated tissues look higher than dry tissues, which can clarify why some individuals really feel their stretch marks seem much less apparent after common moisturizing. The scar itself is unchanged, however the pores and skin is properly moisturized.
Medical-grade skincare is a unique class. Formulations with prescription-strength retinoids, development components, and peptides, corresponding to these from ZO Pores and skin Well being and SkinCeuticals, can help more healthy collagen turnover and will assist with very early striae rubra (the pink/pink new stretch marks). They’re a helpful supporting device, however hardly ever sufficient on their very own for established stretch marks.
Remedies That Genuinely Assist
At Kalos, we deal with remedies that attain the dermis, the place the scar truly is. The next are the choices which have a significant monitor file for bettering stretch marks.
Morpheus8 RF Microneedling (Our Go-To for Stretch Marks)
Morpheus8 RF microneedling is normally the simplest non-surgical therapy we provide for stretch marks, and it’s the therapy Dr. Kirby most frequently recommends for them. Morpheus8 combines two applied sciences that handle the underlying downside:
- Microneedling creates tiny, managed openings that set off the physique’s pure therapeutic, with collagen and elastin manufacturing.
- Radiofrequency (RF) vitality is delivered by the needles to warmth the deeper layers of the dermis, which remodels present scar tissue and stimulates extra collagen formation.
The mixture permits us to achieve depths of as much as 8 mm, which is properly into the dermis the place stretch marks originate. That depth is what makes Morpheus8 completely different from conventional microneedling and is why it tends to supply extra noticeable enchancment in scar tone and texture.
Morpheus8 is well-suited for stretch marks on the stomach, thighs, hips, buttocks, and higher arms. It’s protected for many pores and skin sorts and tones. Sufferers normally want a collection of two to three remedies spaced 4 to six weeks aside, with extra classes beneficial for extra established striae alba (the pale/white older stretch marks).
SkinPen Microneedling
SkinPen microneedling is an efficient choice for extra superficial stretch marks or for sufferers newer to in-office remedies. SkinPen makes use of the identical collagen-induction precept as Morpheus8, with out the radiofrequency element. Outcomes are extra gradual and greatest suited to finer, much less established marks. SkinPen will also be mixed with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to help therapeutic and collagen reworking.
For deeper, extra cussed stretch marks, Morpheus8 is normally the stronger alternative.
IPL Photofacial for Crimson and Purple Stretch Marks
In case your stretch marks are nonetheless within the striae rubra (pink/pink) stage, IPL photofacial may also help scale back the pink and purple discoloration. IPL makes use of concentrated pulses of sunshine to focus on the dilated blood vessels that give early stretch marks their coloration. As soon as these vessels are neutralized, the marks seem much less apparent and have a tendency to mature into lighter, much less noticeable traces.
IPL works properly together with Morpheus8, since IPL addresses coloration whereas Morpheus8 addresses texture and depth. This pairing is a frequent advice for sufferers with contemporary stretch marks from being pregnant or latest weight adjustments.
IPL is simplest on honest to medium pores and skin tones, however is much less useful as soon as stretch marks have pale to white.
Laser Pores and skin Resurfacing (COâ‚‚ and ResurFX)
Fractional laser pores and skin resurfacing is one other evidence-based choice for stretch marks, significantly mature, white striae alba. Each COâ‚‚ laser and ResurFX use gentle vitality to create microscopic therapy zones within the dermis, which prompts the physique to switch broken tissue with contemporary collagen.
- COâ‚‚ laser resurfacing is the stronger of the 2, with extra downtime and extra vital enchancment in texture and coloration for established stretch marks.
- ResurFX is a non-ablative choice with a sooner restoration.
Throughout your session, our group evaluates the placement, depth, and stage of your stretch marks to find out which laser remedy, if any, is the proper match.
Medical-Grade Skincare as a Supporting Device
Topicals won’t erase stretch marks on their very own, however prescription-strength retinoids and coverings from ZO Pores and skin Well being and SkinCeuticals can help the pores and skin’s therapeutic response between in-office remedies. For sufferers with very early stretch marks, a medical-grade routine might assist enhance total tone and texture and gradual additional change.
How We Construct a Stretch Mark Therapy Plan at Kalos
No single therapy is correct for each affected person. At Kalos, we contemplate a number of components earlier than recommending a plan:
- Stage of the stretch marks: Crimson and purple marks reply greatest to IPL and Morpheus8 mixed. White, mature marks normally do higher with Morpheus8, COâ‚‚ laser, or each.
- Location and depth: Belly and thigh stretch marks usually profit from the deeper attain of Morpheus8. Finer marks on the arms or chest might reply properly to SkinPen microneedling.
- Pores and skin tone: Some light-based remedies are much less appropriate for deeper pores and skin tones. Morpheus8 is protected throughout the skin-tone spectrum, which is one purpose it’s a workhorse in our follow.
- Your timeline and downtime tolerance: Some remedies have extra restoration than others. We match your plan to your schedule and your targets.
Most sufferers see the strongest enchancment from a collection of remedies, usually combining modalities. Expectations matter right here: Stretch marks nearly by no means disappear fully, although they will normally be made considerably much less noticeable with the proper plan.
When Surgical procedure Might Be the Higher Reply
For some sufferers, particularly those that have gone by being pregnant or vital weight reduction, stretch marks are tied to stretched tissues that non-surgical remedies can not handle. If in case you have free tissues on the decrease stomach together with stretch marks under the stomach button, a tummy tuck with Board-Licensed Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby might produce a extra noticeable consequence than any laser or microneedling therapy, as surgical procedure might bodily take away a portion of the affected tissues.
The identical is true for sufferers contemplating physique contouring after weight reduction. Procedures corresponding to a tummy tuck, thigh elevate, arm elevate, or bra-line again elevate take away extra tissue, together with the related stretch marks, addressing each laxity and stretch marks without delay.
In case you are unsure whether or not non-surgical therapy at Kalos or a surgical session with Dr. Kirby is the proper place to begin, we may also help. Kalos and Kirby Plastic Surgical procedure share a location and Dr. Kirby personally supervises each. Your customized plan might embrace non-surgical remedies, surgical procedure, or a mixture of each, primarily based on what fits your anatomy and your targets.
Schedule a Stretch Mark Session in Fort Value
In case you are prepared to maneuver past the drawer filled with lotions that haven’t labored, we’ll enable you construct a plan that really addresses your stretch marks appropriately. Throughout your session at Kalos, we consider the stage and site of your marks, focus on your targets, and suggest a therapy plan that matches your timeline and pores and skin.Name or textual content Kalos Medical Spa at (817) 292-4200 to schedule your session.
