Stretch mark or striae distensae are breaks in the skin. They resemble scars in the skin. They start early as pink, red, purple, reddish brown or dark brown linear streaks (striae distensae rubra) which later become white(striae distensae alba)
Common causes of stretch marks
- Sudden stretch to the skin during puberty or when there is rapid increase in weight
- Pregnancy
- Side-effects of topical steroid use and abuse
- Medical conditions: Cushing’s syndrome, Marfans
Common sites of stretch marks
- Abdomen
- Thighs
- Hips
- Breasts
- Upper arm
- Lower back
Treatment for stretch marks
- Prescription creams
- Pulse dye laser V beam : reduces red stretch marks and releases growth factors to smooth out the breaks in the skin
- Ablative and non-ablative Laser resurfacing: Fraxel Dual, YouLaser MT
- Jet volumetric remodelling (Enerjet)
- Thermo-mechanical remodelling (Tixel Pro 2.0)
- Fractional radiofrequency
- Dermal filler injection
- Ultherapy
- Skin Infusion
