Stretch marks, or striae, are atrophic scars that form due to overstretching and microtears in connective tissue.
Why Do Stretch Marks Appear?
- Rapid skin stretching. This may occur during pregnancy, with rapid muscle growth in athletes, or after sudden weight gain.
- Hormonal changes. Cortisol, the “stress hormone,” reduces collagen and elastin production, making connective tissue fibers more fragile. Under chronic stress, skin elasticity decreases, and even moderate stretching can cause microtears.
- Genetics. If a mother has stretch marks, her daughter is also more likely to develop them. Certain genetic disorders, such as Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, predispose people to striae, even without visible triggers.Mayo Clinic
What Happens in the Skin?
When skin volume increases suddenly, collagen fibers tear because they cannot adapt quickly enough.
Fresh stretch marks are red or purple. This is due to capillary rupture and local inflammation. Mature stretch marks turn white, as blood vessels disappear, leaving fibrous scar tissue.
Fresh red striae respond better to treatment. White striae are more resistant, since they lack blood supply, which makes collagen stimulation harder.
Can Stretch Marks Be Removed?
It is impossible to eliminate white striae completely, but they can be made much less visible — even decades after they form.
Laser resurfacing
- Ablative lasers (CO₂, Halo) are stronger and remove layers of skin.
- Non-ablative lasers (Fraxel, iXtron, ResurFX) stimulate collagen with less downtime.
- Best results come from combining resurfacing with collagen injections (e.g., Collost 15%, Micronized collagen).
Subcision with polylactic acid
Manual or pneumatic injector techniques stimulate tissue regeneration and improve skin thickness.
Microneedling RF (radiofrequency)
Can improve texture and elasticity, especially in combination with other methods.
Most effective approaches among dermatologists: Laser resurfacing + collagen injections Polylactic acid stimulation with pneumatic devices.
How Many Sessions Are Needed?
This is difficult to predict. Each patient has a different regenerative capacity and responds uniquely to stimulation.
Important considerations:
- Body skin heals more slowly than facial skin.
- Treatment parameters must be carefully chosen, as overly aggressive approaches may worsen scarring.
Always choose an experienced dermatologist or aesthetic physician.
Author: Emily Carter
Senior Health Editor & Market Analyst Emily specializes in plastic surgery trends and implant technology. Her work focuses on analyzing FDA reports and patient satisfaction data to help readers understand the technical side of breast and body contouring procedures.
