Stretch marks are arguably the most stubborn scars that occur anywhere on the body. While they are medically benign, they can negatively affect your skin and lower your self confidence. But you don't have to accept them as your fate, as we have a new solution for you. Microneedling.
Now, if you're a beauty enthusiast, you probably know microneedling as a leader when it comes to eliminating fine lines, wrinkles and dealing with hair loss. But that's not all. It has also proven to be a less risky, cheaper, and efficient way to get rid of stretch marks.
But how does it work?
If you're already thinking of microneedling as your preferred method to reduce the appearance of these unwanted marks on your body, here is a detailed analysis of the treatment and everything else you need to know.
What Are Stretch Marks?
They are a type of scarring that appears when dermal tissue shrinks or stretches out faster than it should during its regular growth cycle. They manifest in the form of indented and reddened streaks anywhere on the body, resulting in an unpleasant appearance that no one wants to embrace. At first, they appear small and harmless, but as they grow old, they fade into whitish lines that affect your skin's general appearance.
Why Do I Have Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are normal and can affect any body part at any time. They are mostly caused by;
Pregnancy - According to the National Library of Medicine, approximately 90% of pregnant women experience stretch marks at some point during the gestation period or after birth. It is normal for the skin to stretch, among other changes. This causes the skin to develop stretch marks around the breasts, back,and abdomen.
Weight Gain or Loss - Gaining or losing weight is a journey that needs motivation, and stretch marks don't help this case. During either process, the skin stretches or shrinks, causing stretch marks to appear as the skin attempts to heal.
Puberty - During adolescence, the body experiences various physical changes. These cause rapid growth, and in the process, the appearance of stretch marks.
Medical Conditions - While stretch marks are not harmful to the body, they may be a symptom of certain medical conditions, such as Cushing's and Marfan syndrome. Cushing's syndrome stimulates the overproduction of cortisol, which causes the body to gain weight rapidly and causes stretch marks. On the other hand, Marfan syndrome decreases skin elasticity and causes stretch marks.
Weight Training - Are you exercising regularly, hoping to develop muscle? Well, the muscles will most likely come with stretch marks, which appear as the skin adapts to the increased muscle volume.
Types of Stretch Marks
The major classes of stretch marks are,
Striae Rubrae
It is the initial stage stretch mark that indicates stretching of the skin. As the skin stretches, protein fibers broaden and arrange in a parallel shape. At this point, there are visible inflammation symptoms and the stretch marks appear red or violet. Additionally, they are sensitive, itchy and gradually widen with time.
Striae Albae
New stretch marks age and fade into this new type. Striae albae appear silver or white after the initial inflammation has come down. Therefore, they are usually less noticeable compared to other stretch marks but they will still leave you self-conscious.
Striae Gravidarum
These result from the rapid growth around the abdomen during pregnancy. As early as 24 weeks into the pregnancy, the marks appear on the lower back, thighs, and hips, and they may also result from increased cortisone levels and hormonal changes.
Other minor classifications of stretch marks include striae nigrae, striae atrophicans, and striae caerulea.
Microneedling for Stretch Marks: How Does it Work?
Derma rolling. gets rid of stretch marks and restores the skin's smoothness and even looks over time.
When the derma roller punctures the skin, it triggers the body to heal itself, replacing the dead skin cells and getting rid of stretch marks. Microneedling accomplishes this in three simple steps:
- Inflammation: In the first week after the procedure, the body's response to the micro injuries caused by the derma roller is increased blood flow and removal of dead tissue.
- Cell reproduction: After microneedling for stretch marks, the body replaces the old skin cells with new tissue fibers. This takes place 2-4 weeks after the procedure.
- Rebuild: The new cells strengthen and take their places between stretch marks. This results in smoother and even skin tone up to months after the first procedure.
Getting rid of stretch marks requires patience and consistency, as a single procedure may not be enough to completely reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Ideal Candidate for Microneedling for Stretch Marks Treatment
Derma rolling is suitable for every skin type and effective in treating all stretch marks, regardless of how wide or deep they are. Therefore, any healthy person can undergo the procedure to eliminate stretch marks, except for pregnant women and people with active skin conditions. This is why it's crucial to disclose your medical history to your practitioner so that they can determine if you are viable for the procedure..
The Procedure
The process of getting rid of stretch marks through derma rolling starts with extensive consultation with a qualified skincare expert. This will set you up for the procedure as it exposes you to a detailed explanation of what to expect before, during, and after treatment.
Before the Procedure
There are many factors that affect the efficiency of microneedling results, and it all starts with preparation. That said, here's how to prepare your skin for the best results.
- Avoid sun exposure: If you must go out, wear sunscreen with a high SPF to avoid skin irritation and sunspots on the treatment area as this may affect the treatment's results.
- Take a break from medications:before the procedure, ensure you stop several medications, such as retinoids, blood thinners, and acid-based skin treatment.
- Observe: In the days before the treatment, search the skin for active acne, cold sore breakouts, and eczema. If any of these conditions affect the area you intent to treat, you have to cancel the treatment.
During Microneedling
On the day of the procedure, ensure that you thoroughly cleanse the area with the stretch marks beforehand. At the clinic, your dermatologist will apply numbing cream on the skin to minimize pain. This is because discomfort levels vary in different patients.
The numbing cream should settle for about 30 minutes before the microneedling begins. Then, the aesthetician will use a derma roller over the stretch marks, and the microneedles will create microscopic pricks on the skin surface.
The size of the needles varies according to the type of stretch marks, but most of them reach the skin's deeper layer for maximum efficiency. Therefore, it may take longer than microneedling for other skin conditions, about 30 minutes, depending on the area to be covered.
Microneedling Aftercare
Immediately after microneedling, you may experience redness, swelling, and sensitivity around the treated area. These are temporary and should subside with a few days of proper aftercare.
Follow your doctor's instructions, and these side effects of microneedling will subside and completely disappear after a few weeks, depending on how well you care for the skin.
Boost Results With PRP
Microneedling for stretch marks is effective on its own, but you can combine the treatment with Platelet-Rich Plasma(PRP) therapy for faster, accurate, and long-lasting results. You can choose to apply the plasma on the skin before or after microneedling, so that it is absorbed through the micro-perforations on the outer skin.
When the platelet-rich plasma is applied with microneedling, it enters the skin and penetrates into the inner parts. This promotes healing and stimulates production of collagen. The purpose of this essential protein is to start the process of replacing dead and dormant skin cells that cause stretch marks with new and even cells. And not just that, you get to reap the additional benefits of microneedling with PRP.
The Cons of Getting Rid of Stretch Marks With Microneedling
After undergoing the derma rolling, most people report a notable reduction in stretch marks size. But still it also has its downsides, such as the fact that there is no guarantee that it will work in older and deeper stretch marks. Moreover, the procedure can also be painful if your dermatologist uses the wrong needle size or fails to apply a numbing cream.
Microneedling also has several complications, such as swelling, which can go on for several days and are severe in some cases.
Microneedling for Stretch Marks Results
After using a derma roller to treat stretch marks, you must be looking forward to the results. However, it will take at least two sessions to start seeing any significant improvements in the appearance of stretch marks. This depends on the size and age of the marks and the efficiency of every procedure.
It takes the body time to synthesize collagen, so the results of the treatment are gradual. However, once they fully manifest, the results are mostly permanent as the scar tissue is broken down and replaced by healthy cells. This means the stretch marks won't reappear unless the skin is exposed to the initial conditions that caused the marks. These conditions include pregnancy, hormonal changes, and an increase in body size.
Can I Microneedle for Stretch Marks at Home?
In the modern cosmetic world, a derma roller is crucial to any beauty enthusiast's skin routine. This is due to its efficiency, versatility, and affordability, as it can be used in the comfort of your home.
For general skin care, microneedling at home is an excellent alternative to the clinical procedure. However, for stretch marks elimination, having a procedure at a clinic is the best option. It is safer, more hygienic, and you get more perks such as consultations and expert advice with the procedure.
Summary
Of all stretch mark remedies available, derma rolling has proven to be the most effective in reducing their appearance and eventually getting rid of them.
At Diaminy, we have everything you need in your quest for stretch marks elimination, including a modern derma roller, derma pen, and tips to make the most of your microneedling for stretch marks procedure.
