Stretch marks. When we hear about these ugly red or purple bands, many of us want to cringe. Think yourself lucky if you don’t know what they are (at least for now).
What are the Causes of Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks, which are also called striae, are scars that form when skin is stretched quickly. They can happen after growth spurts, puberty, pregnancy, or any other time when a person gains a lot of weight. They can show up on your chest, thighs, and stomach.
Stretch marks are hard to get rid of once you have them. Unfortuitously, every single one of us is susceptible to the development of stretch marks.
Ahmed Zohair, MD, a dermatologist in Dubai, notes that “a lot has to do with heredity.” If your parents have stretch marks, it is likely that you will get them as well.
According to him, stretch marks are something that can happen to young women when they go through puberty and their breasts begin to expand. During the sixth and seventh months of their pregnancy, more than ninety percent of pregnant women will have symptoms. But, as Zohair explains, “they can occur at any phase of fast weight increase,” Some medical disorders, such as Cushing’s syndrome, which causes an excess production of the stress hormone cortisol, are risk factors for stretch marks. One of these causes is pregnancy. It is possible that stretch marks will appear on the skin of patients who use steroids for a lengthy period of time in order to treat any ailment.
How do you get stretch marks away?
Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way that will prevent stretch marks from appearing. However, there are things that each and every one of us can do to assist reduce the likelihood of having them. This involves engaging in regular physical activity and ensuring that one’s weight is kept at a healthy level.
Utilizing a moisturizer on a consistent basis may also be of assistance. “By ensuring that the skin is adequately hydrated at all times, this helps to maintain the skin barrier in the best possible condition,” he explains.
Treatment Options for Stretch Marks
The good news is that stretch marks generally dissolve over time, and those that don’t fade may be treated with topical creams and lotions or, increasingly, some lasers. According to Zohair, there is also the possibility of concealing stretch marks. He claims that self-tanners not only stain the skin but also disguise the look of stretch marks.
According to Zohair, “there is no cure” for stretch marks; nevertheless, several therapies might minimize the appearance of stretch marks.
Collagen production can be encouraged by using topical medications such as retinoids, which also have the added benefit of reducing the appearance of existing stretch marks by reducing their depth and colour. The primary type of protein that can be found in skin, collagen, is accountable for the structure that skin possesses. One such example is the drug Retin-A.
Warning: You should not use these items if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Peptides are an ingredient included in several creams and lotions that are intended to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Peptides can be thought of as the fundamental building blocks of proteins like collagen. Bio-Oil and Strivectin are two examples that come to mind.
Onion extracts are used in another treatment called Mederma® Stretch Marks Therapy, which works to improve the appearance and sensation of stretch marks. Do they actually work? According to Zohair, it is difficult to say for certain, but it may be worthwhile to give them a shot.
Lasers are another potential treatment option for stretch marks. The most important step is finding a laser treatment like Laser Skin Resurfacing that is tailored to your specific skin type as well as stretch marks.
Pulsed dye laser therapy can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, even if they are elevated and red. It can also help soften the look of stretch marks. On the other hand, white stretch marks, or those that have been present on the body for a longer length of time, may be less noticeable after treatment with the Fraxel laser or one of the other fractional lasers. These lasers only treat a small portion of the skin’s surface, but they do so in a controlled environment that promotes wound healing, which may in turn assist stimulate the production of new collagen.
Zohair warns that one should not anticipate experiencing quick satisfaction. The laser therapy consists of at least three sessions, each of which is separated between four and six weeks apart. Zohair states that “We are not offering a cure” for the condition.
A stomach tuck is one of the few procedures that may remove stretch marks from the abdominal region. On the other hand, as explained by Zohair, “You remove the skin, but in reality you are only replacing one mark with another one.”
Cost of removing stretch marks in Dubai
The cost of removing stretch marks might vary widely depending on the method that is chosen.
Prices for topical lotions and creams can range anywhere from 50 to 500 AED for a supply that will last for six months.
The cost of laser scar reduction can range widely, although it typically starts at around 4000 AED for a series of treatments.
If the total amount is too high for you to pay everything at once, discuss payment options with your attending physician.