What Are Stretch Marks?
Striae, commonly known as Stretch Marks, are visible bands of parallel lines on your skin owing to rapid and sudden stretching or shrinking of the skin. When you touch Stretch marks, you may feel the bands on the skin to have an uneven texture – as if it is slightly raised as compared to the normal skin. The appearance of stretchmarks can change their colour and intensity over time.
It is a very common skin condition, and very generally it is mostly associated with Puberty and when there is a rapid change in body structure and hormones of any individual.
In this article, you are going to read about the stretch marks’ causes, symptoms, treatment options and their treatment cost.
Who Can Get Stretch Marks?
Both males and females of any age group can get stretch marks.
- Young individuals (age group 12-21) can get puberty stretchmarks as the body grows quite rapidly during this time period and there is a lot of hormonal activity happening.
- Pregnant women may get stretch marks as there is a rapid surge of hormones and body weight in pregnancy.
- Anybody who was overweight and lost weight rapidly.
What are the Different Types of Stretch Marks?
Mainly, Stretch Marks are of the following two types:
- Striae Rubrae: These can be categorized at Pink/Red color stretch marks and represent an acute phase of Striae. The formations of this category of stretch marks can be flat or slightly raised. Once they form to appear at a body part, the formations can gradually grow in length and width with time.
- Striae Albae: These can be categorized as White in color and considered to be a mature stage of stretch marks. The formations of this type may appear scar-like, irregular and hypopigmented.
There are other commonly known stretch mark types:
- Striae Gravidarum: These are also known as pregnancy stretch marks.
- Striae Nigrae: These are dark grey or dark-brown stretch mark formations that usually occur on dark complexion skin.
- Striae Caerulea: These are dark blue or purplish stretch mark formations that usually occur on dark complexion skin.
- Striae atrophicans: This type of stretch marks may develop as a result of prolonged use of corticosteroids (for example: in the case of Cushing’s syndrome) or after a surgical procedure.
What Causes Stretch Marks?
The stretch marks may occur owing to one or many of the following conditions:
- Hormonal changes and sudden growth spurt during Puberty
- Quick weight gain or loss
- Pregnancy
- Breast implant surgery
- Prolonged use of steroids
- Bodybuilding workout that increases muscle size
- Side effects from any medication
- Genetic disorders (for example: Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS))
Who is at risk for developing stretch marks?
Anybody can get stretch marks at any age. Commonly known factors that may trigger conditions for stretch marks to appear include:
- Pregnancy
- Being overweight
- Being on corticosteroid medications
- Experiencing rapid weight gain/loss
- Family history for stretch mark formations
- Having a breast implant surgery
- Having a genetic disorder (Cushing’s syndrome or Marfan syndrome)
What are the Signs & Symptoms Of Stretch Marks?
Before stretch marks appear to form, the skin may show some symptoms, such as the appearance of wrinkly, raised streaks (in pink, red, blue or brownish-black color) on abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks, or any other body part.
In Which all Body Parts Can Stretch Marks Appear?
The stretch marks can appear on any body part; however, they are most common at body parts such as upper arms and shoulders, buttocks, thighs, stomach, knees, under arms, biceps, neck etc.
How To Diagnose Stretch Marks?
To diagnose stretch marks severity and the underlying causes, one should consult a dermatologist. The dermatologist will review your medical history, ongoing medications and assess your skin to diagnose the type and severity of your stretch marks.
How to Remove Stretch Marks?
In some cases, stretch marks may fade gradually with time. But for people who think that their stretch marks are a significant cosmetic concern and need to be treated or corrected, they can opt for medical treatments that are covered in the next part of this article. Please note that there is no treatment that can fully remove the appearance of stretch marks.
Stretch Marks Removal Treatments
If you are someone wishing to get rid of your stretch marks with a cosmetic treatment, any of the following treatments can be advised to you by your dermatologist:
- Laser Treatment For Stretch Marks: In order to reduce the appearance of your stretch marks, your doctor may advise you a few sessions of laser therapy. This method works on the principle of using heat from laser to stimulate the growth of collagen in the skin. This method can correct or reduce stretch marks by up to 60 percent. There are various kinds of laser technologies available today, such as Pulsed dye laser, Fractional CO2 laser, Excimer laser etc.
- Microneedling: This is a cosmetic procedure that is performed using a hand-held device having many tiny needles that gently invade the top layer of the skin to stimulate collagen production and thereby reducing visible stretch marks.
- Microdermabrasion: This is a non-invasive medical treatment that is performed with a handheld device that sprays tiny crystal particles. These particles are gently sprayed and rubbed on the skin to remove uneven texture and pigmentation. The Microdermabrasion treatment works well to remove (or rather reduce) stretch marks.
- Chemical Peels: A chemical peel is a mix of chemical compounds. It is applied on to the skin directly. This method helps to peel off the irregular-toned or uneven-textured skin, revealing a smoother and clearer skin.
- Cosmetic surgery: A cosmetic surgery (for example: tummy tuck surgery) can be done to remove stretch marks. This procedure is a very expensive treatment to undertake and can take a lot of recovery time.
- Radiofrequency treatment: This treatment uses radio wave energy to gently heat up the affected skin and trigger it to make new collagen. The treatment can work well to reduce stretch marks significantly.
Home Remedies for Stretch Marks
You can use the following remedies to reduce the appearance of stretch marks:
- Apply Coconut oil on stretch marks as it has healing properties.
- Apply aloe vera as it is a natural healing agent and a skin softener.
- Take 2 spoons of sugar, add a drop of coconut oil and rub the mix over stretch marks. Sugar acts as a naturopathic microdermabrasion agent.
- Application of Bitter almond oil can also reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Disclaimer: While above natural home remedies for stretch marks may offer temporary relief, they often lack scientific evidence to support their effectiveness. Moreover, attempting home remedies without proper knowledge or consultation with a dermatologist may lead to adverse reactions or exacerbate existing skin conditions. It’s essential to prioritize safety and efficacy by seeking guidance from a dermatologist or healthcare provider before attempting any home remedies for stretch mark removal.
How To Prevent Stretch Marks?
There are some easy tips that one can follow to prevent the formation of stretch marks:
- Eat a healthy and nutrient-rich diet
- Control your weight in a specific range (avoid sudden weight gain or loss)
- Drink water and healthy fluids to stay hydrated
- Wear sun screen and avoid prolonged sun exposure
- Avoid smoking
- Maintain healthy weight in Pregnancy
How Much Does Stretch Marks Removal Treatment Cost In India?
The average cost of stretch marks removal treatment ranges from INR 3000 to INR 8,000. Chemical peels typically range from INR 2,500 to INR 4,000, while laser treatment for stretch marks can range from INR 5,000 to INR 8,000 per session.
However, these prices can vary based on factors such as the size of the affected area, the specific treatment method chosen, the number of sessions needed, and the underlying cause of the stretch marks. It’s always best to consult with a professional to get an accurate estimate tailored to your individual needs.
Stretch marks can occur in both males and females at any point of time, but the most common triggers are pregnancy and puberty. One can prevent stretch marks by maintaining a healthy life style. Once stretch marks appear, they can fade gradually as the person matures. But getting rid of them in a completely natural way is not very likely.
FAQs On Stretch Marks
Do stretch marks go away?
Once Stretch marks appear, they do not go away. The appearance of stretch marks can gradually fade over years or can be reduced or corrected by a medical treatment.
Are stretch marks permanent?
Yes, they are permanent. However, the intensity of stretch marks can be reduced with the help of a medical treatment.
Are stretch marks bad?
Absolutely not. They are one of the most common skin conditions and approx. 50-55 percent of the population may have it.
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