Stretch Marks F.A.Q.

Some of the most common questions about stretch marks have been listed below; the answers shall provide transparent views to anyone willing to more about this condition.

  1. Is stretch mark a disease?
    Though stretch marks can sometimes result for medical conditions like diabetes, Ehlers-Danos syndrome and Cushing disease, they might as well result from abnormal formation of collagen or because of hormone therapies, steroid intake or cortico-steroid creams. Stretch marks also show up as pregnancy develops and stretches the skin, which cannot cope with the rapid growth. The fibrous and elastic tissues in the skin are thus damaged and accumulate more scar tissue that increases the size of the marks.
  2. How do I know if it’s a medical condition?
    Consult a doctor. If that’s not possible for you currently, check for any recent significant weight gains. If that or pregnancy is not a reason, there could be some underlying medical cause. Go back to the starting sentence.
  3. Is there any other name for stretch marks?
    Stretch marks are also known as Striae Gravidarum or Striae in short.
  4. How do I know if a blemish on the skin is a stretch mark?
    Stretch marks appear because of a broken epidermis, the elastic layer of skin. They can hence take many forms and colors, especially deep red, purplish red and dark brown that fade to white after a few days. It’s best to consult a dermatologist if the signs match.
  5. I have a brown/purplish-/deep red mark on my face. Is it a stretch mark?
    Stretch marks occur on the breasts; on the upper arms; on the buttocks and thighs and across the abdominal region. The mark on the face must be something else.
  6. How can stretch marks be reduced?
    By reducing contact with sunlight and by keeping the skin soft and moist at the same time.
  7. I heard laser treatment cures stretch marks. How long does it take?
    Stretch marks have no magic cure; not even modern collagen-building medicines have been effective enough to drive them away completely. The best ones only fade them to the point of being invisible and laser does it the best. However, if the stretch marks are older than a year or so, there’s almost no chance that they shall get cured. The laser treatment is fully effective only on recent marks that have developed as a result of pregnancy. This is because faded or white stretch marks are something that laser cannot detect; it’s only the red or brown areas that get noticed. The pre-treatment measures require avoiding an exposure in the sun for about five to six weeks; if that somehow becomes a problem, application of generous quantities of a good sunscreen lotion is the other alternative together with an umbrella. Also, bid nicotine goodbye for at least a couple of months, if you can’t manage more.
  8. Is there any side effect to stretch mark laser treatment?
    Stretch marks laser treatment can give some ugly side effects if one falls in the hands of an unskilled medical professional, with red and swollen operated region; burning sensations on the treated are and skin discoloration being the most common ones.

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