The 411 On Stretch Marks

The medical name for stretch marks is striae distensae. That’s interesting information, but, unfortunately, if you have them, it doesn’t help the fact that stretch marks are unsightly and troublesome as summer approaches and sweaters and tights are replaced by shorts and swimming suits.

Stretch marks are are very common in both men and women. They are painless and are rarely a sign of a significant medical problem. They are, in fact, a form of scarring of the skin that is associated with rapid weight gain, as in pregnancy. They may also occur during puberty’s rapid growth spurts and occasionally occur following muscle building. They appear on the thighs, abdomen and chest as linear streaks on skin that has been overstretched. They begin as flat red lines, and over time, they change to shiny, white streaks.

There are several treatments for stretch marks, but none of them can remove stretch marks completely. The degree of success will depend on your skin tone, age, amount of cumulative sun damage your skin has had, and even your diet.

At Smooth Solutions, we offer four unique treatment types to help diminish the appearance of stretch marks. The severity of your marks will determine which of these treatments we will use:

 

• Intense Pulse Light Therapy or IPL;
• Microneedling;
• Ultrasonic Derma-wave; or
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, a revolutionary procedure which harnesses the healing power of your body’s growth factors and platelets. PRP stimulates stem cell responses, facilitating the growth of new collagen and blood vessels. This helps repair, regenerate and renew damaged skin and reverse the signs of aging.

 

If you would like to learn more, call us today, at (716) 633-6100 to set up a consultation appointment. Remember: Spring is here…summer is just around the corner. Get your sweet self summer-ready…now is the perfect time!