Stretch marks: methods to treat and prevent the problem

A cause of discomfort for many people, stretch marks are, by definition, cracks in the skin in the form of stripes caused by stretching the tissue beyond the limits supported.

Marcella Alves, a dermatologist at the Les Peaux clinic, explains that the lack of elasticity is not the cause, but the consequence of an excessive gain in volume in a short space of time, since the skin cannot follow up so quickly and adapt to new changes. dimensions.

Laura Andrade, dermatologist at the Amato Institute of Advanced Medicine, comments that stretch marks happen more in women during puberty, pregnancy or due to rapid weight or muscle mass gain. “Some drugs like corticosteroids make it easier for them to come on,” she says.

Stretch marks appear more, in fact, in women. Plastic surgeon Marco Cassol explains that the female endocrine (hormonal) condition is very different from that of men. “Female hormones make the elastic fibers in the skin break down more easily. That is, in general, men have fewer stretch marks than women.”

Lesions can appear on different parts of the body, both in women and men, but the most common regions for the appearance in both genders are a little different. “In men they are more common in the lower back, flanks, shoulders, side of the chest, buttocks and lower thighs. In women, they appear mainly in the buttocks, thighs and breasts, places that extend during and after puberty… In the abdomen it is more common during pregnancy”, explains dermatologist Marcella.

Why do some people have a lot of stretch marks and others don’t?

This is a common question. Cassol highlights that several factors influence the appearance of stretch marks:

• Genetic predisposition (skin distensibility);
• Diet;
• Habits (cigarette);
• Body hydration;
• Skin hydration and nutrition.

“All this causes the person to develop more or less stretch marks, according to the adoption of more and less healthy habits”, comments the plastic surgeon.

Marcella points out that, unlike cellulite, stretch marks do not depend entirely on unruly eating habits to occur. One of the determining factors for brands is genetic predisposition. “Those who have stretch marks in the family can develop them once exposed to their risk factors, but heredity does not always explain it, as in many cases the problem appears in only one family member,” she says.

Michele Haikal, a physician from São Paulo, also recalls that stretch marks can be associated with several situations, such as puberty, pregnancy, rapid growth, rapid weight changes, obesity, chronic use of corticosteroids, very large prostheses that stretch the tissue, etc.

Reddish streaks X whitish streaks

Laura defines striae “are linear lesions that are initially red and purplish, later becoming whitish. They can be depressed or slightly raised with varying thickness and width.”

Marcella points out that the difference between the shades is due to the inflammatory process. “In the beginning these marks are more reddish because they are in the acute phase of inflammation. At this stage, the treatment is more effective and leaves almost no traces, but as time passes, this process ceases, it heals and the stretch marks become whitish and more difficult to remove,” she explains.

Plastic surgeon Cassol highlights that it is possible to identify a new stretch mark to act on before it turns white. “And that’s exactly what we need the patient to know. Fresh stretch marks are much more responsive to treatments, meaning the earlier treatment starts, the better the results,” he recalls.

9 treatments to reduce or eliminate stretch marks

There are currently many treatment options to improve stretch marks on the market. Below the professionals talk about those they consider the most suitable.

clinical treatments

Laura comments that, in general, the most effective clinical treatments are acid-based and should be guided by a dermatologist. “They should be used especially when the stretch marks are recent and are still red, associated with this, methods that cause collagen remodeling, especially those that produce fractional microlesions on the skin, which when healing will soften the appearance of the stretch marks”, he says. Is it over there.

Michele points out that the use of topical tretinoin is one of the most supported studies for stretch marks. “But better results are seen with local peels, some lasers, such as the CO2 laser, microneedling, injectable hyaluronic acid and radiofrequencies”, he says.

Below you can see some examples of clinical treatments that can help in the treatment of stretch marks. It is worth noting that all of them need to be done by qualified professionals, in trusted clinics.

1. Fractional laser

According to Marcella, the most suitable procedure available to treat any stretch marks, whether pink or white, whether in men or women, is the fractional laser – which can be ablative (CO2) or not (erbium 1540). “A few treatment sessions are enough to soften not only stretch marks, but scars and even the flaccidity that may eventually bother you”, she says.

Daniela Hueb, a doctor with a postgraduate degree in Dermatology, reinforces that fractional lasers are good options for treating white stretch marks, which show that the tissue was really damaged. “Fractional laser treatments can be done with about three sessions,” she says. “It is worth remembering that the number of sessions varies according to the organism of each patient”, she adds.

Ablative fractional laser is one that penetrates part of the skin generating a lesion to restructure the deeper layers. The non-ablative, on the other hand, crosses the most superficial part of the skin without hurting it, reaching only pre-established targets. That is, it is smoother, generally there is no need for the patient to interrupt the routine.

The fractional CO2 laser emits a beam of light that is attracted to the body’s H20 molecules, thus vaporizing these molecules and stimulating the healing of the treated area and the production of collagen in the body. With this, it is possible to notice the reduction of stretch marks. The procedure is relatively quick, and products are used to provide anesthesia in the area to be treated. The skin at the treated site is usually red after the session, but tends to return to normal in around 3 to 7 days.

In the video below you can see an example of a fractional CO2 laser session:

Considered a less “aggressive” option than CO2, Erbium 1450 is a fractional laser that emits microbeams and determines a remodeling of collagen in the dermis, thus improving the appearance of stretch marks. Microrays penetrate deeply into the dermis, but leave the epidermis tissues intact, which generally provides faster and more natural healing.

Prices: the cost of a fractional laser session can vary from R$600 to R$2000, depending on the location/city where it will be performed and the type of treatment.

The use of fractional laser has some general contraindications, such as:

• Pregnancy;
• Herpes (in activity);
• Patient with sensitivity to light;
• Patient on immunosuppressive treatment.

2. Dermaroller

According to dermatofunctional physiotherapist Marília Barboni Luz, from L&L Espaço Vida ao Corpo, this is a procedure that uses microneedles in a small roller, which penetrate the surface of the epidermis and induce collagen production and skin renewal. These are tiny lesions that, among other actions, reduce stretch marks without pain. “Patients feel only a slight tingling sensation, followed by a natural redness in the area, which heals quickly,” she says.

Marília explains that the results can usually be seen after 5 sessions. Each session lasts an average of 20 minutes to 1 hour and does not require a long recovery period. An interval of 15 to 21 days is recommended for a new session, due to the production of new collagen in the skin.

Prices: the cost of a session can vary from R$250 to R$800, depending a lot on the place/city where it will be held.

In general, treatment with microneedling is contraindicated for people with a tendency to form keloids and with healing difficulties.

3. Electrolifting

According to Marília, the technique uses current equipment with electrical stimulation that induces the formation of tissue rich in collagen and healing agents. “For significant results, a minimum of 10 sessions, which last an average of 50 minutes, at 15-day intervals,” she says.

The treatment basically aims to cause an inflammatory process at the site, through the action of the needle and the current, and later its regeneration (since the irritation caused stimulates the production of new fibers in the skin).

Prices: each session costs around R$100, but this value can vary greatly depending on the place where the treatment will be performed.

Electrolifting is contraindicated for pregnant women, for people suffering from cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension and diabetes, as well as for people with cancer, allergies or irritation to electrical current, hypersensitivity to pain and a tendency to keloids.

4. Radiofrequency

According to Daniela, radiofrequency is a good alternative treatment for white stretch marks. Up to 15 sessions are indicated, depending on each case.

The method uses skin heating to stimulate collagen and to increase cellular metabolism.

Fractional radiofrequency is similar to fractional CO2 laser technology, as it is an electromagnetic wave that allows deep treatment, promoting the production of fibroplasts and considerably improving stretch marks, due to the large production of collagen. Because it is fractional, it generally has a quick recovery time (from 3 to 7 days), usually without the person having to interrupt their routine. That is, the energy penetrates deeply into the skin, but without hurting the surface so much.

Prices: on average R$500 to R$1500 per session, depending on the area to be treated, and also the place/city where the treatment will be performed.

In general, radiofrequency is not indicated for people with pacemakers, nor for pregnant women.

5. Carboxytherapy

According to Daniela, carboxytherapy is also a good alternative to treat white stretch marks. About 10 sessions are recommended.

The treatment regenerates the skin and reorganizes the collagen and elastin fibers, thus leaving the skin more uniform. It is, in short, the subcutaneous application of carbon dioxide in the striae.

In the video you can see how the procedure works:

Prices: Prices vary widely, but can reach around R$300 per session.

Because it is a procedure that offers pain, it is only advised for those who are not so sensitive to pain. Carboxytherapy sessions are contraindicated for pregnant women and also during breastfeeding, and also for people with lung or heart problems.

6. Chemical peeling

Peeling is a technique applied to promote cell renewal, this occurs through the removal of layers of the skin. Cell renewal…