The range of colours that stretch marks may have could vary from purple to bright pink to light grey. If you touch them, you can feel the slight crease or indentation on your skin
• Lines of stretch marks appear after pregnancy
• May appear just after a sudden change in weight
• Sudden growth of spurt
• Cushing syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome and other adrenal gland disorders
• Sunken streaks or lines in the skin
• Blue or purple streaks may have colours like black, red, or pink
• Bright streaks that gradually turn into lighter colours
• Strips on the lower abdomen, hips, breasts and thighs
Stretch marks seem to be caused by stretching of the skin. The severity is affected by different factors, including genetic tendency, degree of stress, and cortisone level (a hormone produced by the adrenal glands), which weakens the skin’s elasticity.
No, they are not harmful at all. They are purely a cosmetic concern and do not indicate a health problem.
Of course. Although skin lines are more commonly associated with women, they can affect both sexes. Men can develop stretch marks due to rapid muscle growth, weight gain, or hormonal changes, among other influencing factors.
Results vary. However, non-surgical treatments like laser therapy and RF microneedling are much more effective in helping combat stretch marks, as they form when the deeper layers of the skin, specifically the dermis, are damaged. Topical ointments mostly affect the epidermis (the outer layer) and often cannot penetrate deeply enough to repair or regenerate the collagen and elastin fibres in the dermis.
Stretch marks are notoriously difficult to treat. Therefore, complete removal is challenging, but non-surgical treatments can significantly reduce their appearance. Laser treatments have demonstrated a 20% to 60% improvement in the appearance of stretch marks after several sessions. And according to a study by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 92% of patients reported satisfaction with laser stretch mark removal
They can affect all skin types, but the visibility may vary. Darker skin tones may show purple or dark brown marks, while lighter skin shows red or pink marks initially.
Yes, laser therapy can reduce the redness of new stretch marks and improve the texture of older, white stretch marks, though multiple sessions are often needed.
