Stretch Marks

Stretchmark Description
Stretch marks occur in the dermis, the elastic middle layer of skin that allows it to retain its shape. However, when constantly stretched, the dermis can break down leaving behind stretch marks.

Stretchmark Education
Skin does not bounce back if it's been stretched by rapid growth due to pregnancy, weight gain, or extreme weight loss. Instead, it becomes decorated by a form of scarring called stretch marks, or striae. Stretch marks often start off as reddish or purplish in color and then become glossy skin that appears streaked in silver or white. Cosmetic lasers are a new method for removal of stretch marks. Unlike traditional treatments like stretch mark creams and gels, lasers are used to stimulate new collagen growth and fill the stretch mark from the bottom up. The laser energy is absorbed in the dermal layer of the skin stimulating the production of new collagen. As the new collagen thickens and plumps the skin, it fills in the stretch mark from below.