Treatments: Massage and exercise, pulsed dye laser (PDL) for redness, no reliable other treatment available yet.
Stretch marks can be caused by rapid expansion of the skin through a growth spurt or rapid weight gain. Long term treatment with oral and topical steroids also predispose to stretch marks.
Although several devices have been approved for the treatment of stretch marks, results are very unpredictable. Twice daily massaging of the affected area with any moisturizer paired with toning exercises still deliver the best results in the majority of individuals.
Stretch Marks Blog
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about Stretch Marks, or to ask Dr. Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Hi, I’m four months pregnant and dreading the fact that I know I’m going to have stretch marks at the end of this process. I recently developed some on my hips and thighs from rapid weight gain. Shortly after I deliver I want to get back in shape and then do something about the stretch marks. I had laser surgery in mind. I wanted to know if you could give me some information on how much it will cost me, how effective it is. and also a place I can go to in Philadelphia to have it done.
Current technology does not yet afford the reliable removal of stretch marks by laser or any other means. Here and there someone will have excellent results using a laser but results are hardly reproducible. Laser can however be used to tighten the skin overall and improve the appearance of stretch marks. The best is avoidance of rapid weight gain although towards the end of the pregnancy this is sometimes beyond the control of the pregnant woman and daily massage of skin to keep skin elastic.
I am an 18 year old who is 5 feet tall. I weigh approx. 90-95 lbs, and I have always been skinny. Scarily, I have stretch marks on my buttocks area, inner thighs, and down my legs. My stretch marks are a light brownish color. Would you happen to know why I have stretch marks and are there any medications or medical treatments that I could have that will help eliminate my stretch marks. I am extremely self conscious of wearing a bathing suit in front of any one. I have a good figure for a skinny person, but I HATE the stretch marks. Now, I’m going off to college, and I want the stretch marks to go away. Please help!
Thank you for your time=)
I am a 22 year old female and have never been close to overweight (I am 5-10 and 125 lbs.) but since puberty I have had a problem with stretch marks on my lower back, hips, inner thighs, and buttocks. They are mostly thin and white but are quite extensive and make me self-conscious of my body where I otherwise wouldn’t be. Any slight change in my weight or shape due to diet or exercise seems to result in more marks developing. Is it common for people of healthy weight and lifestyle to have such a problem with stretch marks? I was wondering if there could be a deficiency in my diet or some hormonal imbalance that causes this problem, and if there are any possible treatments for prevention or removal of stretch marks.
Stretch marks occur with rapid growth. This can be from growing tall or from gaining weight. The horizontal stretch marks you describe are almost only seen in skinny tall people. They often occur in teenagers and young adults with rapid growth in height and typically present in women on the upper thighs and lower back and in men most commonly on the lower back. They are not related to nutritional deficiencies or any internal problems.
Unfortunately, it is virtually impossible to avoid them. Treatment is possible when they are red but there is no reliable treatment yet for white ones.
Hi, I’m four months pregnant and dreading the fact that I know I’m going to have stretch marks at the end of this process. I recently developed some on my hips and thighs from rapid weight gain. Shortly after I deliver I want to get back in shape and then do something about the stretch marks. I had laser surgery in mind. I wanted to know if you could give me some information on how much it will cost me, how effective it is. and also a place I can go to in Philadelphia to have it done.
Current technology does not yet afford the reliable removal of stretch marks by laser or any other means. Here and there someone will have excellent results using a laser but results are hardly reproducible. Laser can however be used to tighten the skin overall and improve the appearance of stretch marks. The best is avoidance of rapid weight gain although towards the end of the pregnancy this is sometimes beyond the control of the pregnant woman and daily massage of skin to keep skin elastic.
I am an 18 year old who is 5 feet tall. I weigh approx. 90-95 lbs, and I have always been skinny. Scarily, I have stretch marks on my buttocks area, inner thighs, and down my legs. My stretch marks are a light brownish color. Would you happen to know why I have stretch marks and are there any medications or medical treatments that I could have that will help eliminate my stretch marks. I am extremely self conscious of wearing a bathing suit in front of any one. I have a good figure for a skinny person, but I HATE the stretch marks. Now, I’m going off to college, and I want the stretch marks to go away. Please help!
Thank you for your time=)
Zaneta,
Please read the answer to lb below.
Thanks,
Dr. Ringpfeil
I am a 22 year old female and have never been close to overweight (I am 5-10 and 125 lbs.) but since puberty I have had a problem with stretch marks on my lower back, hips, inner thighs, and buttocks. They are mostly thin and white but are quite extensive and make me self-conscious of my body where I otherwise wouldn’t be. Any slight change in my weight or shape due to diet or exercise seems to result in more marks developing. Is it common for people of healthy weight and lifestyle to have such a problem with stretch marks? I was wondering if there could be a deficiency in my diet or some hormonal imbalance that causes this problem, and if there are any possible treatments for prevention or removal of stretch marks.
Thank you for your time.
Stretch marks occur with rapid growth. This can be from growing tall or from gaining weight. The horizontal stretch marks you describe are almost only seen in skinny tall people. They often occur in teenagers and young adults with rapid growth in height and typically present in women on the upper thighs and lower back and in men most commonly on the lower back. They are not related to nutritional deficiencies or any internal problems.
Unfortunately, it is virtually impossible to avoid them. Treatment is possible when they are red but there is no reliable treatment yet for white ones.