How are stretch marks formed?
Stretch marks are formed when threshold maximum skin elasticity is exceeded, which leads to raptures in deep skin fibers (collagen and elastic fibers). The disorder in fibroblast cells results in skin scarring, known as stretch marks. Most common places for stretch marks to appear are the abdomen, hips, buttocks, knees, breasts, upper arms.
Stages of stretch marks
Fibroblast disorder evolves in two stages:
- Stage I: Red, pink or purple inflammatory stretch marks which last between 12 to 14 months.
- Stage II: Stretch marks become atrophic scars, white, and pearly.
What promotes the appearance of stretch marks?
Several reasons promote the appearance of stretch marks, such as:
- Mechanical (growth and weight changes).
- Iatrogenic (hormonal disturbances related to puberty and oral corticosteroids or local).
Stretch marks treatment
Treating stretch marks currently remains difficult; however various treatments are available to improve the appearance of stretch marks, but full recovery is still considered unattainable.
Our centre is equipped with various dermatological/vascular lasers and fractional radio frequency providing significant improvements.
- Fractional resurfacing lasers used on aged stretch marks
- Non-ablative laser remodelling applied on dark skin
- Vascular lasers and medical pulsed light used on recent and coloured stretch marks.
- Fractional RF applied on recent stretch marks.
Costs:
Several sessions are provided at intervals of 1 to 3 months.
The price of the session varies, depending on the size of the areas to be treated varying from 200 to 600 Euros.