Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are a form of scar which occur when the skin is stretched. They are called stretch marks as they often have a stretched appearance and can look like stripes on the body. They can be present in a pink/red colour meaning that they are newer and the stretch to the skin was caused recently, or they can be more skin toned, meaning that they formed a longer time ago.

There are a few different causes of stretch marks. Pregnancy, puberty and rapid weight gain can all cause the skin to expand, resulting in the skin stretching and scarring over. This results in damaged elastin fibres, meaning that the stretch marks can be present on the skin for a long time as there will be a lack of collagen and elastin around these areas that is needed for skin renewal. They are most commonly found around the stomach, breast and hip areas, as these are areas where many people experience the most weight gain and bodily changes.

Whilst stretch marks may fade over time to a lighter colour, they can be difficult to get rid of completely with treatments at home. Our Microneedling treatment is effective at treating stretch marks. The process involves a small pen like device called the Dermapen, which creates tiny punctures in the skin. This in turn tricks the body into thinking it has been injured, in turn leading to new skin that is rich in elastin and collagen being generated, which can help diminish the appearance of stretch marks. You can find out more about how it works on our Microneedling treatment page.