The morphological and hormonal changes related to motherhood sometimes lead to the appearance of stretch marks. In the postpartum period, these red or white streaks on the skin appear in certain areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and breasts. Considered unsightly, these marks often become a source of insecurity for young mothers. How to remove stretch marks? While it is not always possible to completely eliminate stretch marks, there are medical treatments available to reduce their appearance.
Harmless to health but aesthetically displeasing, stretch marks are far from uncommon. Between 70% and 80% of women are affected. Depending on the quality and elasticity of the skin, they may be more or less visible. Pregnancy is a particularly conducive period for the development of stretch marks. This is due to rapid and significant weight gain, the intense stretching of the skin, as well as hormonal changes. The increase in cortisol production — the stress hormone — during pregnancy plays a major role in the development of stretch marks. Physiologically, stretch marks result from the rupture of collagen fibers in the skin under excessive tension. Hereditary factors also play a role.
To prevent their appearance, many pregnant women diligently apply oils and anti-stretch mark creams. Unfortunately, skin care alone is not always sufficient.
During pregnancy, stretch marks most commonly occur on areas of the body that have undergone the greatest changes in volume, such as the abdomen. Stretch marks on the stomach may appear as streaks or lines around the navel or on the sides.
Every pregnancy is different, and weight gain is distributed differently for each woman. However, the thighs, hips, and buttocks are common areas for fat storage. As a result, this localized weight gain and the associated skin stretching cause stretch marks to form. Another frequently affected area is the breasts. During pregnancy, a woman’s body prepares over nine months for breastfeeding. The breasts enlarge, and their thin, delicate skin undergoes considerable tension.
Stretch marks can be red, pink, or purplish in color, or they may appear pearly white. In both cases, they are still stretch marks — they are simply at different stages of development. There are two clinical phases. The red color corresponds to the inflammatory stage, which lasts between 12 and 24 months. After this phase, they reach their final stage and become white.
The use of a specific cream or oil on the affected areas does not visibly reduce stretch marks. Medical techniques can improve the appearance of the skin by smoothing its imperfections, without resorting to surgery. Several methods have proven effective in the treatment of stretch marks: llaser (notably ablative erbium laser or fractional CO₂ laser and photorejuvenation laser, which densifies the skin), peeling (superficial peeling, PRX-T33 peeling, and body peeling), or carboxytherapy. Fractional CO₂ laser remains the most commonly used procedure for the treatment of stretch marks.
Article written by Dr Romano Valeria
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