Stretch marks, officially known as striae gravidarum, are long, narrow streaks that form on the skin. As their name suggests, they are caused by the skin stretching. They may feel a little itchy when they first form.
Stretch marks usually appear in parallel clusters, and are mostly found on the abdomen, breasts, upper arms, hips and buttocks. Size-wise, they can be as small as one centimetre long, or go on to cover a much larger area of the body.
Initially a stretch mark appears as a raised, dark-coloured striation ranging in colour from purple to a pale red. Most stretch marks are permanent, but many fade to the extent that they are barely noticeable. They typically begin to fade six to 12 months after first appearing. On lighter skin, they often become a light silver or pink shade, looking much less prominent. On darker skin, they can also change to become nearer your original skin colour, but they may remain more visible.
Stretch marks are incredibly common: up to 90 per cent of women have them, but this is because the most common reason for stretch marks is pregnancy. It's estimated that eight out of 10 pregnant women will end up with stretch marks.
However, any kind of body expansion can result in stretch marks developing, such as bodybuilding, weight gain and growth spurts in puberty, so unsurprisingly, men can get stretch marks too.
The real culprit causing stretch marks, though, is the hormone cortisol, which is naturally produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol is crucial for the regulation of basic bodily functions, but in excess, it causes the skin to lose its elasticity and become prone to tearing when stretched. Due to hormonal changes, the body produces two to four times as much cortisol during pregnancy.
People with higher levels of cortisol develop stretch marks more easily than those with normal levels, including those with Cushing's Syndrome. Other conditions that cause fragile or stretchy skin, such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, also make stretch marks more likely. Another risk factor is prolonged use of steroid creams.
In a microneedling session, a device that holds fine needles (around 0.5mm–1mm long) will be moved over the treatment area, making tiny wounds in the skin's surface.
As the skin rushes to heal these small punctures, it produces collagen and elastin. Collagen is the skin's scaffolding protein, giving it structure, plumpness and firmness, while elastin gives the skin its ability to stretch and 'bounce back' into its resting position.
Over time, microneedling treatments produce smoother, stronger, clearer skin.
Microneedling sessions are usually four to six weeks apart, and several sessions are required to see maximum results. Staying well-hydrated in the days before a treatment can reduce the minor inflammation and bruising that can occur in the first few days after a session. To give the skin time to heal, it's best to avoid direct sunlight and strenuous exercise for a few days after treatment.
Microneedling is safe and effective. However, it works best on indented blemishes and isn't suitable for bumpy, raised scars (such as keloid scars), so it's not ideal for new stretch marks that may be slightly raised. You're unlikely to have rosacea in the same areas that you stretch marks, but if you do, professional advice first. The suitability of microneedling for your condition may depend on the type of rosacea you have and what triggers it.
Microneedling isn't recommended if:
If your stretch marks bother you and they're not fading as much or as quickly as you would like, microneedling provides a way to reduce their appearance over time and give your skin a boost too.
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