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The question
Is there anything I can do for my stretch marks? I've had two kids and really dread bathing suit season.
The answer
Stretch marks are a common source of frustration and cosmetic concern for those who suffer from them.
They are thought to be due to a combination of physical changes and hormonal changes that can affect the integrity of the skin's natural elastic fibres.
Stretch marks can start out as pink or purple lines and over time progress to become lighter in color. They are generally found on the abdomen, breasts, and thighs but can also occur on the back, buttocks, hips and arms.
Stretch marks can develop due to a variety of reasons with the most common being:
Pregnancy: It is estimated that approximately 90% of women develop stretch marks in the latter part of pregnancy. These changes are due to the hormonal changes in pregnancy and the physical stretching of skin. Having larger babies is risk factor for the development of stretch marks.
Weight gain: Periods of substantial weight gain can trigger the development of stretch marks. This is why stretch marks are not uncommon in teenagers during growth spurts and puberty and also in those who weight train and bulk up.
Conditions or medications: Certain medical conditions such as Cushing's syndrome or adrenal gland diseases can cause widespread stretch marks as well as genetic conditions that affect the connective tissue of the skin. Oral or topical steroid can increase stretch marks over time due to changes in the skin.
While stretch marks may fade over time, they do not completely disappear.
There are many skin products such as vitamin E, and olive oil treatments that claim to take away stretch marks - but there is no clinical evidence to support their use. The most common cream that is often recommended is cocoa butter, which while helpful for itchy and dry skin, have not been found to be helpful for preventing or treating stretch marks in a number of studies.
But all hope is not lost: there are interesting studies that show promise. One potential option is tretinoin cream (Retin-A) which may be helpful for newer stretch marks that are less than six weeks old and still pink in color. It is important to note that this medication is only available with prescription and is not to be used in pregnancy due to the potential to cause birth defects.
Some dermatologists may be able to offer laser therapy treatments which may help stimulate growth of normal skin or stimulate the repigmentation of the faded skin of stretch marks. Laser therapy works best when stretch marks are newer and they can cause skin discoloration and can be expensive as it is considered to be a cosmetic treatment.
The good news is that stretch marks are not dangerous to your health and are very common - but they can be distressing. Most treatments are at best only partially effective, and while there are some promising studies being done for both prevention and treatment, at this time there is no cure.
Send family doctor Sheila Wijayasinghe your questions at doctor@globeandmail.com. She will answer select questions, which could appear in The Globe and Mail and/or on The Globe and Mail web site. Your name will not be published if your question is chosen.
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