Without any impact on health, stretch marks are considered unsightly and can be a source of physical discomfort and psychological distress. They are marks of varying length and width that appear on the surface of the skin. In the form of streaks, lines or striations, often parallel, these visible physical manifestations are skin lesions related to the rupture of elastic and collagen fibers.
Although they can appear on any part of the body, the thighs, abdomen, buttocks, breasts, calves and chest are most frequently affected. Applying oil and cream to targeted areas can sometimes help prevent the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy, mainly due to the massage and hydration. However, this action has no impact if the cause of the stretch marks is hormonal.
From a histological standpoint, a stretch mark is the result of a rupture in the elastic and collagen fibers naturally present in the dermis. In recent stretch marks, an inflammatory infiltrate is observed. In older ones, a break in the dermal collagen is seen along with neocollagenesis and thickening of elastic fibers. At this level, the skin becomes thinner due to a reduction in collagen and elastin production by fibroblasts, cells found in the dermis that maintain the skin’s suppleness and elasticity.
Stretch marks are a common aesthetic concern that affects both women and men.
They appear as red or white marks streaking the skin’s surface. Very common, these skin lesions, resembling fissures or scars, are caused by excessive skin stretching.
Likely to affect all parts of the body, stretch marks can appear after
pregnancy, puberty, or significant weight gain or loss. Regardless of their origin, several medical techniques can help eliminate or reduce the appearance of stretch marks.How to get rid of stretch marks ? Lasers, peels, Sculptra or carboxytherapy are the main available procedures for treating stretch marks.
The main factors contributing to the appearance of stretch marks are :
• Rapid weight gain and loss, often caused by the “yo-yo” effect due to repeated dieting
• Rapid muscle gain
• High cortisol levels, related to certain conditions (notably Cushing’s disease) or the use of certain medications (cortisone, corticosteroids)
• Pregnancy
• Adolescence
• Genetics
Excessive stretching of the skin can lead to stretch marks, especially when it happens quickly. Puberty and pregnancy are two periods conducive to the appearance of stretch marks, which is why this phenomenon affects women in 80 % of cases. During adolescence, 10 % of boys and 25 % of girls are affected by this issue. Later, 50 % to 70 % of pregnant women develop stretch marks due to both weight gain and hormonal changes.
Red, pink, purple or white, the color of stretch marks depends on their age and stage of clinical evolution.
Two stages of evolution are distinguished :
• The inflammatory stage, lasting 12 to 24 months : stretch marks are red, pink, or even purple
• The final stage : stretch marks are established and become atrophic scars of a white, pearly color
The clinical classification describes several levels of severity :
• Stage 1 : recent, inflammatory stretch marks, usually purplish. It is easier to treat and eliminate stretch marks at this early stage
• Stage 2a : white, superficial stretch marks without transverse striae and without palpable depression on the skin’s surface
• Stage 2b : white, superficial stretch marks without transverse striae, but with palpable depression on the skin’s surface
• Stage 3a : white stretch marks with an atrophic base, transverse striae measuring less than 1 cm wide, without a pearly appearance in depth
• Stage 3b : white stretch marks with an atrophic base, transverse striae measuring more than 1 cm wide, with a pearly appearance in depth
So-called “inflammatory” stretch marks (stage 1) are easier to treat, particularly with pulsed dye laser. If the streaks are still red or purplish, they are easier to fade. However, medicine has developed reliable and non-invasive techniques to eliminate stretch marks, regardless of their stage of evolution, with visible and satisfactory results.
To treat stretch marks, the main medical methods used are :
• Laser
• PRX-T33 peel
• Carboxytherapy
• Sculptra
Fractional ablative laser f is considered the most effective method for treating stretch marks.
The laser destroys micro-columns of skin while simultaneously delivering heat, which stimulates the activity of fibroblasts — the cells responsible for collagen synthesis. The newly synthesized skin is thicker, reducing the visibility of stretch marks.
The laser session is virtually painless thanks to the application of an anesthetic cream.
Fractional ablative laser is not recommended for patients with dark or tanned skin (only phototypes I to III can be treated) or with active skin infections on the area to be treated.
Results appear progressively, with an improvement in the texture and depth of stretch marks. Multiple sessions are required for optimal results. Typically, 4 to 5 sessions are performed at 2-month intervals.
Laser treatment has several advantages : it is painless, non-invasive, and requires no social downtime (since treated areas can be covered by clothing), and the risk of complications is rare and limited. The treated area remains very red for a week, with redness fading completely within two weeks. Healing is fast and takes 10 to 15 days.
Vascular lasers, pulsed dye laser or KTP laser, are used for red stretch marks.
PRX-T33 peel is an innovative solution to reduce stretch marks. Unlike traditional peels, PRX-T33 combines TCA (trichloroacetic acid) with hydrogen peroxide, allowing deep penetration without significant flaking or side effects. This treatment stimulates skin regeneration by boosting collagen and elastin production, thereby improving the appearance and texture of stretch marks. Patients observe a firming effect and a gradual reduction in the color and visibility of the stretch marks, resulting in smoother and more even skin.
Several sessions, around ten, spaced a few weeks apart, are required.
The PRX-T33 peel is more of a complementary treatment that enhances the benefits of laser therapy.
Carboxytherapy involves injections of sterile medical carbon dioxide into areas of the body with stretch marks. The CO2 administered in this way stimulates collagen synthesis, capillary vasodilatation, intensifying blood circulation and increasing oxygen pressure.
Carboxytherapy can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, but the overall results are limited, and it is considered more of a complementary treatment. Moreover, the procedure itself is painful. On the other hand, this method is well-suited for darker skin tones. Dozens of sessions are required to achieve any noticeable benefit.
Sculptra is an effective treatment to improve the appearance of stretch marks, particularly those located on the buttocks and abdomen. This injectable, based on poly-L-lactic acid, works by stimulating collagen production in the skin, gradually restoring the density and firmness of the affected areas. By increasing skin thickness, Sculptra reduces the depth and visibility of stretch marks, providing a long-lasting and natural effect. The treatment requires three sessions spaced two months apart, plus one maintenance session every two years. However, due to the risk of nodule formation, Sculptra is reserved for stretch marks on the abdomen and buttocks.
| Type of consultation | Generally practiced rates |
|---|---|
|
Prx-T33 peel
|
From 350 CHF per session |
|
Fractional ablative laser |
From 400 CHF per session |
|
Carboxytherapy |
From 250 CHF per session |
|
Sculptra |
900 CHF per vial |
Les vergetures peuvent apparaître même sans prise de poids, en raison de changements hormonaux (puberté, grossesse), d’une croissance rapide, d’un stress cutané, ou encore d’une sécheresse excessive de la peau. Certains médicaments, comme les corticoïdes, peuvent également fragiliser la peau et favoriser l’apparition des vergetures.
Les vergetures ne disparaissent pas complètement, mais elles peuvent s’atténuer avec des traitements adaptés. Les crèmes à base de rétinoïdes, les soins hydratants, les peelings, les traitements laser peuvent lisser la peau et estomper les vergetures.
Non, perdre du poids n’efface pas les vergetures. Cependant, une perte de poids progressive et associée à des soins hydratants peut éviter la formation de nouvelles vergetures. Les vergetures existantes peuvent s’atténuer naturellement avec le temps.
Certaines maladies peuvent favoriser l’apparition de vergetures, notamment le syndrome de Cushing (excès de cortisol), le diabète, ou des troubles endocriniens affectant le collagène. Une prise prolongée de corticoïdes peut également fragiliser la peau.
Bien que le sport n’élimine pas les vergetures, les activités qui tonifient la peau et améliorent la circulation sanguine, comme la natation, le yoga ou les exercices de renforcement musculaire, peuvent contribuer à améliorer l’aspect de la peau et limiter l’aggravation des vergetures.
Certaines méthodes naturelles peuvent aider à atténuer les vergetures :
• Huile de rose musquée ou d’amande douce, appliquée quotidiennement pour nourrir et régénérer la peau.
• Aloe vera pour ses propriétés réparatrices.
• Gommage au sucre et au miel pour exfolier et stimuler la régénération cellulaire.
Ces remèdes naturels améliorent l’apparence de la peau, mais les résultats sont progressifs et nécessitent une application régulière.
The services described on this website apply to Swiss territory; there are differences between countries.
Contact
Dr Valeria Romano
Pl. du Molard 5, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 6pm
Dr Valeria Romano - All rights reserved.
