Stretch marks appear as linear alterations in the texture and colour of the skin. They are located in areas of distension, such as the abdomen, buttocks, lumbar or quadriceps area, and are the product of tension forces on the skin, which manage to crack the dermis forming continuity solutions. They appear with the contraction or elongation of the skin tissue, typical of certain states such as pregnancy, growth or weight variations. They can also appear associated with the use of corticosteroids or certain hormonal alterations.
Most cases they are nothing more than an aesthetic problem, which can become particularly uncomfortable. Once established, and while they are recent, stretch marks can be treated which, in the best of cases, will allow them to disappear. The best time to treat them is during the first four to six months after their establishment, while they still retain a pink coloration. If this is the case, the use of the 1540 nm non-ablative fractional laser allows them to be eliminated or improved to a high degree. This procedure is usually combined with the use of topical preparations of vitamin A derivatives (retinoids), which together increase the rate of effectiveness.
In case stretch marks are chronically established (after six months or when they have a whitish coloration) the treatment of stretch marks is less effective, although it is possible to achieve a partial improvement.
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Bibliographic references
Elsaie ML, Baumann LS, Elsaaiee LT. Striae distensae (stretch marks) and different modalities of therapy: an update. Dermatol Surg. 2009 Apr; 35(4):563-73.
Taub AF. Fractionated delivery systems for difficult to treat clinical applications: acne scarring, melasma, atrophic scarring, striae distensae, and deep rhytides. J Drugs Dermatol. 2007 Nov; 6(11):1120-8.