Stretch marks

Description

Stretch marks (striae) are indented lines that appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks, or in other places in the body. They are common in pregnant women, especially during the last trimester. Stretch marks are not painful or dangerous, but some people don't like the way of making your skin look.

Stretch marks do not require treatment. Often fade with time, with or without treatment. You may never go away completely.

Symptoms

Stretch marks are not all the same. They vary depending on how much time you have had them, what caused them, where they are in your body and the type of skin you have. The most common variations include:

  • Indented streaks or lines on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks, or in other places in the body
  • Rose, red, color, black, blue, or purple stripes
  • Bright streaks that fade to a lighter color
  • The stripes that cover large areas of the body.

When to see a doctor

Consult your health care provider if you are concerned about the appearance of your skin or if the stretch marks cover large areas of your body. Your health care provider can help determine the cause of stretch marks, and discuss treatment options.

Causes

The cause of stretch marks is the stretching of the skin. Its severity is affected by several factors, including your genetics, and the degree of stress on the skin. Your level of the hormone cortisol may also play a role. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It weakens the elastic fibers of the skin.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop stretch marks, but some factors can increase the chance of getting to them, including:

  • The fact of being a woman
  • Have a personal or family history of stretch marks
  • The fact of being pregnant, especially if you are young
  • The rapid growth in adolescence
  • Quickly gaining or losing weight
  • The use of corticosteroids
  • Having breast enlargement surgery
  • The exercise and the use of anabolic steroids
  • Have a genetic disorder such as Cushing's syndrome or Marfan syndrome

Stretch marks

Diagnosis

Stretch marks usually do not need to be diagnosed. Your health care provider can examine your skin and reviewing your medical history. If your doctor suspects that an increase in the level of the hormone cortisol, which can offer you more tests.

Treatment

Stretch marks do not require treatment. They are harmless and often fade with time. The treatment can make them disappear, but they'll never disappear completely.

The following treatments are available to help improve the appearance and texture of stretch marks. None has been shown to be more consistently successful than others.

  • Retinoid cream.Derived from vitamin a, retinoids — such as tretinoin (Retin-a, Renova, Avita) — that you apply to your skin may improve the appearance of stretch marks less than a few months old. Tretinoin, when it works, aid to the reconstruction of a protein in the skin called collagen, by what stretch marks look more like your normal skin. Tretinoin may irritate your skin. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, talk with your doctor about other treatment options, since the possible side effects of retinoid cream can affect the baby.
  • Light and laser therapies. A variety of light and laser therapies that could stimulate the growth of collagen and foster elasticity. Your health care provider can help you determine which technique is right for you.
  • Microneedling. This treatment consists of a handheld device with tiny needles to stimulate the growth of collagen. This technique has less risk of skin color changes that laser therapy is the preferred first approach for people with darker skin.

Retinoid cream. Derived from vitamin a, retinoids — such as tretinoin (Retin-a, Renova, Avita) — that you apply to your skin may improve the appearance of stretch marks less than a few months old. Tretinoin, when it works, aid to the reconstruction of a protein in the skin called collagen, by what stretch marks look more like your normal skin. Tretinoin may irritate your skin.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, talk with your doctor about other treatment options, since the possible side effects of retinoid cream can affect the baby.

Work with your health care provider to choose the treatment or combination of treatments for you. Factors to consider include:

  • How much time you have had stretch marks
  • Your skin type
  • Comfort, as some treatments require repeated visits to the clinic
  • Cost, as the treatments to improve the appearance of the skin (cosmetic therapies) are often not covered by health insurance
  • What you expect your skin to look like after the treatment

Self-care

Many of the creams, ointments, and other products that claim to prevent or treat stretch marks. These include products of cocoa butter, vitamin E and glycolic acid. They are not harmful, but it probably doesn't help much.

Stretch marks usually disappear with the time and does not need self-care or therapy at home.

Alternative medicine

The idea that you can prevent or treat stretch marks by rubbing any creams, oils or lotions on the skin is not supported by strong evidence.

If you are pregnant, check with your health care provider before using alternative products that claim to treat or prevent stretch marks.

Preparing for your appointment

If you are looking for a treatment for stretch marks, to prepare for your appointment by a listing of some basic questions to ask your health care provider, including:

  • What is probably the cause of my stretch marks?
  • Other that the most likely cause, what are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What are my treatment options and the pros and cons of each one?
  • What results can I expect?

Your health care provider is likely to ask several questions, such as:

  • When first noticed the stretch marks?
  • Do you have other symptoms?
  • What medications are you taking?
  • Do you regularly use cortisone creams for the skin?
The symptoms and treatment of stretch marks