Stretch marks are common after pregnancy or rapid weight gain. But what are they and can anything be done about them?

Skin consists of 3 main layers

-Epidermis the top layer of skin
-Dermis is underneath this
-Hypodermis contains the fat layer and the blood vessels

Stretch marks (also referred to as striae) are caused by tearing of the dermis which is the layer underneath the epidermis.

In pregnancy they usually form during the last trimester, and usually on the abdomen. They can be anywhere on the tummy, but normally they are lower abdomen and around the central abdomen. Having stretch marks on the upper abdomen is less likely.

Prevention is better than cure.

As with most things in life, prevention is better than cure. Because stretch marks are deep in the skin like scars it is very difficult to treat non-surgically.

Keeping the skin well moisturised and using essential oils on the tummy during pregnancy. Olive oil is a natural oil that has been used for a long time in the prevention of stretch marks.

Treatments for stretch marks

There are many products that are being promoted for treating stretch marks or to try to prevent them. Unfortunately there is little proof that any of these work.

There are two in office treatments that have shown some promise in treating stretch marks. These treatments will not remove them completely, but can soften the appearance of them. Both of these treatments are available in our office in Lorn. These include IPL treatment as well as Platelet rich plasma treatment. Even though these treatments make some improvement in the appearance, I personally think it is not worth it. The improvement is small and the amount of treatments needed is more than 10. Stretch marks are like scars on the inside, a non surgical treatment will not be able to repair this.

The most effective treatment for stretch marks.

The only way to truly treat stretch marks is to surgically excise them. One of the good things about stretch marks after pregnancy, is that they tend to be mainly on the lower part of the tummy. Most women that have stretch marks after pregnancy also tend to have loose skin and sometimes also separated muscles. So the ideal treatment for all this is an abdominoplasty.

Lower abdominal stretch marks and loose skin can be treated with a mini- abdominoplasty more extensive stretch marks can be treated with a full abdominoplasty.

Dr Bernard Beldholm M.B.B.S B.Sc(Med) FRACS is a Specialist surgeon focused on:

Cosmetic enhancement of:

-Breast
-Tummy
-Face

This channel focuses on:

Body contouring post weight loss:
- abdominoplasty surgery

Aesthetic Face & Neck surgery such as:
-Facelift & Neck Lift surgery
-Upper eyelid surgery
-Brow lift surgery

This YouTube channel aims to educate and hopefully entertain you.

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We welcome your comments!

Want a consultation? Call us on: (02) 4934-5700

Dr Bernard Beldholm's Hunter Valley office
30 Belmore Rd
Lorn, NSW 2320
Australia

*Disclaimer: Surgery is a serious decision. More information about risks & recovery are available on our website; beldholm.com.au/about/disclaimer/. Surgery performed by Dr Bernard Beldholm (MED0001186274) M.B.B.S B.Sc (Med) FRACS, Registered medical practitioner, Specialist surgeon (specialist registration in Surgery – general surgery).

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from a qualified health practitioner. Results, recovery & potential complications will vary for each individual patient. Photos & videos featured are not a guarantee that your results will be the same & do not guarantee a particular surgical outcome. Content on our Instagram page & other social media pages is published with the consent of our patients. The content featured is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Immediate post-op results may differ from the final result.

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