Stretch Marks

Stretch marks, or striae, result from damage to elastic fibers in the skin, often due to hormonal changes such as pregnancy, birth control pill use, taking oral steroids, or aggressive use of topical steroid creams in a given area. Most people attribute stretch marks to physical factors such as weight gain, increasing muscle mass from weight lifting, or physical activity that causes the elastic fibers in the skin to stretch and break; however, it is more often the hormonal changes that accompany weight gain or changes in body architecture that lead to the stretch marks.

Restoring elastic fibers to skin once they are damaged or lost is a very difficult thing to do. Agents that repair sun-damaged skin offer some help to improving the appearance of stretch marks.

TREATMENT:

• Topical Retinoids such as Retin-A, and AHAs (like glycolic acid and ammonium lactate) can improve stretch marks VERY gradually over time
• RED STRECH MARKS: Vascular Lasers such as the Excel V™ to remove redness can be extremely effective at improving them, by removing the red from stretch marks and gradually improving the texture of the skin.
• WHITE STRECH MARKS: a non-ablative fractional resurfacing laser such as the ResurFX™ can significantly diminish white stretch marks and improve the texture of the skin

Dr. Curcio specializes in Cosmetic and Laser Surgery. With her extensive experience, she can personalize a treatment regimen to help you attain the best possible cosmetic result.

Make an appointment with Dr. Curcio to determine what treatment is best for you.