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Advicenators discussion: Stretch Marks
karenR wrote Wednesday August 19 2009, 7:35 am:
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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Stretch marks (striae) are pink, reddish or purplish indented streaks that often appear on the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks and thighs. Stretch marks are very common in pregnant women, especially during the last half of pregnancy.
You may be concerned about these bright streaks on your skin, but stretch marks are not serious and fade over time. In some cases, however, widespread stretch marks are a sign of a medical condition such as Cushing's syndrome or another adrenal gland disease. Treatments can lessen the appearance of stretch marks, but won't completely remove them.
Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Signs and symptoms of stretch marks include:
* Indented streaks or lines in the skin
* Multiple pink, red or purple streaks
* Bright streaks that fade to light pink, white or grayish color
Stretch marks are common on the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, buttocks and thighs. Sometimes they can cover large areas of the body.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you're concerned about the appearance of your skin or if the stretch marks cover large areas of your body. Your doctor can help determine the cause of the stretch marks and can discuss possible treatment options.
Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Stretch marks seem to be caused, literally, by a stretching of the skin coupled with a normal increase in cortisone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisone may weaken elastic fibers in the skin.
Stretch marks develop in a variety of circumstances, including:
* Pregnancy. Most pregnant women develop stretch marks by the end of their pregnancy. The physical stretching of the skin, along with hormonal factors, likely play a role.
* Weight gain. Stretch marks sometimes occur during substantial weight gain. Weightlifters also can develop stretch marks, particularly on the arms. Adolescents may notice stretch marks during growth spurts.
* Medication use. Corticosteroid creams, lotions and pills and chronic steroid use can cause stretch marks.
* Conditions or diseases. Cushing's syndrome and adrenal gland diseases can cause widespread stretch marks as can Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and other hereditary (genetic) disorders.
Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staff
Stretch marks are more common in women — especially pregnant women — than in men. Most pregnant women experience stretch marks by the end of their third trimester. Other risk factors include:
* Younger women
* Women with larger babies
* Overweight or obese women
* A family history of stretch marks
* Corticosteroid medication use
Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staff
Although they may be a cosmetic concern, stretch marks are harmless and often fade over time. They do not require medical treatment. If you do seek treatment for stretch marks, know that treatments are only partially effective and won't remove the stretch marks completely.
The following treatments are available to help improve the appearance of stretch marks:
* Tretinoin cream. Some research has shown that tretinoin cream (Retin-A, Renova) may improve the appearance of recent stretch marks — those that are less than six weeks old and still pink or red in color. Tretinoin should never be used during pregnancy. Tretinoin, when it works, helps to rebuild collagen, making the stretch mark more similar in appearance to your normal skin. This treatment isn't effective on older stretch marks.
* Pulsed dye laser therapy. Used at wavelengths of light that are nonwounding (nonablative), this type of laser therapy remodels underlying skin (dermis) by stimulating the growth of collagen and elastin. Pulsed dye laser therapy is most effective when stretch marks are new but may still be effective on older stretch marks.
* Fractional photothermolysis. Like pulsed dye laser therapy, this nonablative laser treatment uses wavelengths of light to stimulate new growth of collagen and elastin. The difference is that it causes partial (fractional) damage to small dot-like areas within a targeted zone. Because most of the treated area remains undamaged, the skin heals quickly, as if the entire area were treated.
* Microdermabrasion. This type of treatment involves a hand-held device that blows crystals onto skin. These crystals gently abrade or "polish" the skin's surface. Then, a vacuum tube removes the crystals and skin cells. Microdermabrasion gently removes the skin's topmost layer, which may result in new skin growth that is more elastic. This therapy is an option for older stretch marks.
* Excimer laser. The excimer laser does nothing for collagen or elastin growth. Instead, its aim is repigmentation by stimulating melanin production. If it works, the old and lighter streaks become similar in color to the surrounding skin, and therefore less visible. This is often used for older stretch marks.
Work with your doctor to choose the most appropriate treatment. Factors to consider include:
* Age of the stretch marks
* Convenience of treatment — therapies differ in length and frequency of sessions
* Cost — these options are cosmetic and usually not covered by medical insurance
* Your expectations — most treatments, at best, are only partially effective
Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staff
You've likely seen creams, ointments and other products that claim to treat or prevent stretch marks. These products, often containing cocoa butter, vitamin E or glycolic acid, aren't harmful, but they probably won't help either.
Stretch marks usually fade and become less noticeable over time and don't require any specific self-care or home therapy.
Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staff
Many alternative therapies claim to treat stretch marks, including castor or olive oil, seaweed wraps, or combinations of botanicals, vitamins and fruit acids. There is no evidence that these products work.
If you're pregnant, be sure to check with your doctor before using alternative products that claim to treat or prevent stretch marks.
Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staff
Currently, there is no way to prevent stretch marks. Creams, oils and lotions won't prevent the development of stretch marks. The best way to reduce the likelihood of a stretch mark's occurrence is to maintain a healthy weight, which has numerous other benefits. And even though it is inevitable and completely normal that a pregnant woman gains weight over a relatively brief period of time, she can work with her doctor to minimize that gain by maintaining a proper diet and pursuing a suitable exercise program.
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