Beware of the Snake Oil salesman

Stretch marks are one of unfortunate cosmetic difficulties where marketing has been unleashed on uninformed consumers. Because these marks represent areas with the deeper connective portions of the skin have been permanently damaged, there are no creams or ointments, or other treatments for that matter that can make them go away.

Lots of claims are made with varying concoctions of collagen, Vitamin C, etc., but nothing has been substantiated. If the stretch marks are in an area of skin that can be excised, such as the lower abdomen after pregnancy, surgery may be an option. But here again you will be trading the stretch marks for a scar, though you may also gain a flatter tummy.

Stretch marks are a sign of ripping of the deep dermal tissues, often seen after childbirth, after weight gains or losses, or after certain therapies, such as steroids.  Once you understand how the ripped dermal tissue resembles a burlap sack that has been pulled apart, it is then clear why no treatment will put those fibers back together.  So aside from maybe making a bit more collagen in the area or causing temporary swelling, reducing the appearance of stretch marks, patients should not hope for too much with laser or radiofrequency treatments, or they will be disappointed.

There is no quick fix or cream that takes stretch marks away.  Lasers designed for treating redness however can help greatly with stretch marks that are very red.  No laser, in my opinion, takes established stretch marks away.

If the stretch marks are located on the lower abdomen and there is a lot of loose skin, these stretch marks can often be removed when a tummy tuck is performed.

There are several ways to prevent stretch marks from occurring in the first place:

1.  Avoid large weight gains during pregnancy.  Not only do large weight gains cause stretch marks, but they are unhealthy for the baby and the mother.

2.  Avoid excessively large breast implants. They can stretch the skin, occasionally causing it to give way and form stretch marks along the top and sides of the breast.

3.  Avoid repeated weight gain and loss.  In stretching to accommodate increased body weight, the dermal fibers can rip, causing stretch marks. 

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