Dr. Paul Friedman Discusses Stretch Mark Solutions

Unsightly and cosmetically bothersome to many, stretch marks are the result of fluctuations of hormones in our skin. They appear as pink, red, purple, white, or gray indented streaks on the body. Stretch marks can appear in a variety of areas, such as the upper arms, abdomen, breasts, thighs, and buttocks, and they affect both men and women of different ages and ethnicities.

“Stretch marks are difficult to treat,” says Dr. Paul Friedman. “They tend to appear after rapid growth. They are common around the biceps of men who lift weights, around the breasts and hips of young women during puberty, and on the abdomen of women after pregnancy. They can also occur with rapid weight loss, in people who take anabolic steroids, or following application of steroid creams.”

There are two kinds of stretch marks, explains Dr. Friedman: striae rubra and striae distensae. Striae rubra are the early stages of striae distensae, and typically appear as red or purple streaks. When stretch marks lose their red color to become white or silver wrinkled streaks, they are called striae distensae, and pose much more of a challenge to treat.

While treatment for stretch marks does not result in their complete disappearance, it can be effective in diminishing their overall appearance. Here at the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center, we offer several methods to minimize and reduce the appearance of stretch marks:

• Topical agents, which include (Retin-A), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and glycolic acid

• Laser technology, which include the pulsed-dye laser treatment and Fraxel Dual laser skin rejuvenation procedure.

Treatment options for patients depend on factors such as color differences, how long the stretch mark has been present, and texture issues.

For more information on stretch mark treatments, or to schedule a consultation with one of our dermatologists, pleasecontact Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center.