Striae Causes and Treatment
What is Striae?
Striae also known as stretch marks are a form of skin scarring which is associated with stretching of dermis. Occurs on abdomen, buttocks, groin, axillae, thighs, back and breast. Striae fade with time, however treatment may make them less noticeable more quickly.
What Causes Striae?
Pregnancy is the main cause, can occur due to puberty, obesity, rapid weight or weight loss, drugs (eg OCP, steroids etc) and systemic disorders.
What Can I Do To Prevent It?
Avoidance of brisk weight gain or loss, particularly in high risk groups (adolescents, athletes, pregnant women)
Striae are mostly difficult to prevent once it occurs it takes at least 6-12 months to become less prominent but does go away completely so consult your dermatologist for getting stretch mark free skin.
What Are The Treatment Options?
- Topical therapy – Tretinoin, Hyaluronic acid, Acid peels, Ascorbic acid, Silicone gels.
- Procedural therapy – Microneedling, Microdermabrasion, Radiofrequency ablation, Lasers (eg Co2, Nd:YAG etc), Platelet rich plasma.
- Combination therapy works better than individual therapy.
How Does These Treatment Works?
Topical treatment acts by stimulation of fibroblasts leading to increase tissue collagen levels.The basic principle on which procedural therapy works by induction of controlled inflammation in dermis which results in stimulation of neocollagenosis by recruitment of fibroblast.
Many creams are promoted for striae in internet with little evidence of efficacy. So consult your dermatologist for stretch mark free skin.
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