Stretch marks, also known in medical terminology as ‘striae’ are a form of scaring in the skin. If you have or know someone who has stretch marks, you are certainly not alone. Stretch marks are a VERY common occurrence that affects multiple areas of the body. Stretch marks can be found anywhere on the body in men and women of any age. However they are most commonly found on the abdomen, breasts, under arms, thighs, hips, and buttocks. Despite being very common, many people in Ottawa are ashamed or embarrassed by their stretch marks. We’ve even seen patients who had sought out therapy due to their stretch marks.
Why did I get stretch marks but my friends and family did not?
Stretch marks are caused by rapid growth or stretching of the skin. This is especially true during times of increased growth such as pregnancy or having a growth spurt. Certain medications and medical disorders can also increase the risk of stretch marks due to excess in the hormone cortisol (cortisone). Cortisol levels can increase the probability and severity of stretch marks by reducing the skin’s pliability. This affects the dermis by preventing the fibroblasts from forming collagen and elastin fibers, necessary to keep rapidly growing skin tight. This can create a lack of supportive material as the skin is stretched, and leads to dermal and epidermal tearing, which in turn can produce scarring in the form of stretch marks.
What can I do to treat stretch marks in Ottawa?
Stretch marks can reduce in appearance over time, but there are a few different ways Concept Medical can help your stretch marks along. At Concept Medical, we use a non-ablative, fractional erbium laser to treat and reduce stretch marks. Fractional laser at Concept Medical is a safe treatment with no downtime and minimal discomfort. For patients looking for additional stretch mark improvements in Ottawa we also offered platelet-rich plasma microneedling, also known as PRP. PRP harnesses the power of our own platelets and growth factors, combined with a very thin and rapidly moving needle to stimulate your natural healing and collagen remodeling abilities.
At Concept Medical, we assess each patient’s situation with utmost care and compassion, walking through all the potential options for your individual needs. All consultation are performed exclusively by our registered nurse and physicians, and never delegated to a non-medical staff. For more information about stretch mark treatments in Ottawa or to schedule your consultation, please contact our office.