So you’ve finally lost that “baby weight” or perhaps shed some unwanted pounds through diet and exercise. Well here’s a virtual high-five and a sincere congratulations to you! Unfortunately you have an unsightly reminder of that time when you were a few sizes larger - the dreaded stretch marks.
Stretch marks occur when the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) grows slower than the inner layer (dermis). When you reduce the fat layer beneath the skin that causes the stretching, the skin folds in on itself. It’s similar to deflating a balloon that has lost its elasticity. The results are deep seated wrinkles that may even have a slight discoloration compared to the skin around it.
Stretch marks most commonly appear on the stomach after a pregnancy. But they can also show up on our buttocks, thighs, waist, arms and breast tissue. They don’t always appear just because of fat, either. Large muscle groups (like the thighs) that decrease in size due to age, diet or lack of exercise can just as easily develop stretch marks. Breast implants are a leading cause of stretch marks on women’s breasts when the epidermis can’t grow fast enough to keep up with the increased surface area.
How to Treat Stretch Marks
These problem areas can be somewhat mitigated by keeping your skin moisturized with cocoa butter or other good, topical solutions. These are especially effective if you are proactive with your skin treatments. However, with deep seated stretch marks, this just won’t work because it doesn’t reach deep enough to affect the dermis layer. This is where PRP Micro-needling comes in.
PRP Micro-needling for stretch marks introduces micro-perforations to the outer layer of the skin. When the PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) is applied during micro-needling, it deeply penetrates both the epidermis and dermis. The tiny little injuries introduced by the micro-needling device also have a secondary function - to trick the skin into starting the healing process. The Platelet Rich Plasma provides the body a super-charged boost of healing factors and stem-cell like activity. This increases the rate of healing, tightens and tones the skin, and increases collagen production. Collagen’s main purpose is to replace dead and dying skin cells. We want to turn over all those dead and damaged cells that are causing the wrinkles with new, vibrant and elastic cells.
Catch Stretch Marks Sooner for Better Results
Studies have shown that treating injuries sooner rather than later has a greater affect on the outcome. The same holds true with stretch marks. As soon as you see the first signs of stretch marks you should seek PRP Micro-needling treatment. You will see great results after 4-6 weeks of your first treatment. Normally it will take 2-3 treatments for optimal results. If you have a severe case of stretch marks, or they are several years old, it may take up to 5-6 treatments to fully return the skin to a more natural look. Contact us for a consultation to see if you are a good candidate to remove those unwanted stretch marks using PRP Micro-Needling!