What Stretch Marks Are and How to Get Rid of Them

Did you know that up to 90% of women have stretch marks? It’s one of the most common changes you’ll likely see at some point in your life. Fortunately, there are treatments you can use to reduce their appearance. Before we get into the nitty gritty, let’s go back to the basics to uncover the causes of stretch marks and how to treat them.

What Are Stretch Marks?

Your skin has three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and the hypodermis (or subcutaneous layer). Stretch marks form in the middle layer—the dermis—because of sudden stretching of the skin. They look like long, narrow lines (sometimes smooth, sometimes jagged) that are usually a deep red or purple when they first form, then turn a shade slightly lighter than your skin tone over time. The good news is that stretch marks pose no health risks.

Who Develops Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are more common among women. Rapid weight gain tends to be the main cause, so it’s no coincidence that pregnant women commonly see stretch marks form on their stomach. Females going through puberty may also see stretch marks near the breast, thighs, hips, and stomach. Stretch marks can often appear on the upper arms and lower back. Men who gain a lot of weight in a short amount of time may also see them.

What Causes Stretch Marks?

Aside from rapid weight gain, there are other factors that can increase your risk of developing stretch marks. Corticosteroid creams, for example, can affect the skin, decreasing collagen levels and thinning skin if not used properly, making you more susceptible to scarring. (Stretch marks are a form of scarring.) Rapid weight loss can also cause stretch marks.

How Do Stretch Marks Happen?

When your skin is constantly being stretched and isn’t given time to bounce back, the dermis (middle layer) tears, resulting in scarring under the skin’s surface. Stretch marks may fade over six to 12 months, but they can also remain visible if your skin lacks collagen. While stretch marks don’t signal any underlying medical concerns, they can cause self-consciousness and anxiety, potentially affecting your quality of life.

Top Treatments for Stretch Marks

Vitamin E, tretinoin, Retin-A creams, and silicone gel help to increase dermis strength by rebuilding collagen, protecting your skin from stretch marks. Alternatively, microdermabrasion works from the outside, using crystals and suction to gently remove dead skin from the epidermis (the surface layer), stimulating new skin growth and reducing the appearance of stretch marks.

For late-stage stretch marks, NanoFractional Radio Frequency (RF) treatments are an effective way to reduce the appearance of the skin damage. This skin resurfacing technology helps to improve skin texture by delivering heat energy through the skin’s surface using tiny pins. This process creates microdermal wounds that prompt the body to start the natural healing process, repairing skin and reducing the appearance of stretch marks. The treatment is much more comfortable than standard chemical peels or lasers and requires very minimal downtime.

Discover more about how NanoFractional RF™ technology can reduce the appearance of stretch marks by entering your details below to find a certified provider near you:

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Venus Versa™ has CE Mark as a multi-application device intended to be used in aesthetic and cosmetic procedures. The SR515 and SR580 applicators have CE Mark for the treatment of benign pigmented epidermal and cutaneous lesions and treatment of benign cutaneous vascular lesions. The HR650/HR650XL and HR690/HR690XL applicators have CE Mark for the removal of unwanted hair and to effect stable long-term or permanent hair reduction for Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The AC Dual applicator has CE Mark for the treatment of acne vulgaris. The DiamondPolar™ applicator has CE Mark for non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides on females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The OctiPolar™ applicator on the Venus Versa™ system has CE Mark for temporary body contouring via skin tightening, circumferential reduction, and cellulite reduction. The NanoFractional RF™ (Viva) applicator has CE Mark for dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin.

NeoGraft^® 2.0 has CE Mark with indication for use in suction-assisted follicular extraction and re-implantation for males and females.

The ARTAS iX™ from Restoration Robotics® is indicated for harvesting hair follicles from the scalp in men diagnosed with androgenic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) who have black or brown straight hair. The ARTAS iX™ from Restoration Robotics® is intended to assist physicians in identifying and extracting hair follicular units from the scalp during hair transplantation; creating recipient sites; and implanting harvested hair follicles.

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Venus Legacy™ has CE Mark for the temporary increase of skin tightening, circumferential reduction, cellulite reduction, and wrinkle reduction.

Venus Velocity™ has CE Mark for hair removal, permanent hair reduction (defined as the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9 and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regimen), and the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae for all Fitzpatrick skin types.

Venus Viva™ has CE Mark for the use in dermatologic and general surgical procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin, and the treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides in Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV with the DiamondPolar™ applicator.

Venus Freeze Plus™ has CE Mark for treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides using the DiamondPolar™ applicator, and CE Mark for the treatment of cellulite reduction, increase of skin tightening, and temporary circumferential reduction on the OctiPolar™ applicator.

Venus Freeze™ has CE Mark for treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides using the DiamondPolar™ applicator, and CE Mark for the treatment of cellulite reduction, increase of skin tightening, and temporary circumferential reduction on the OctiPolar™ applicator.

Venus Glow™ provides a dermal rejuvenation treatment that works to open up and deep-clean pores. Venus Concept is the exclusive distributor for Venus Glow™.

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