Stretch marks and scars
What is it?
Scarring is the fibrous tissue that repairs wounds and losses of tissue and organ substance. The scar takes the place of healthy tissue (either permanently or for a finite, even prolonged, period). Scar tissue, in fact, forms whenever there is an interruption in the continuity of the skin (epidermis and dermis) as a result of a pathological event, traumatic or following a surgical suture. Scars occur with different characteristics. Normotrophic scars or flat scars are physiologic, although they can be disturbing from an aesthetic point of view. The scar can also evolve into forms defined as pathological: Hypertrophic, Atrophic and Keloid scars.
Stretch marks or striae distensae are due to the rupture of elastic fibers that creates a real superficial laceration of the dermis. One of the main causes is the low elasticity of the tissues, which is associated with the abrupt stretching of the skin due to changes in body weight such as weight gain, pregnancy, systemic therapy with cortisone or the use of anabolic steroids.
How is it diagnosed?
The diagnosis of scars is clinical. Normotrophic scars are flat and well distended, non-rigid and undetected on the surface. The forming skin is soft and liftable in folds. Atrophic scars are slightly indented due to a lack of collagen that fails to completely fill the damaged area, and are especially common after acne or chicken pox. Hypertrophic scars are raised due to excessive collagen production. Keloids are characterized by overproduction of connective tissue, and become larger than the original lesion.
The diagnosis of stretch marks is clinical. Initially, stretch marks are purplish-red in color, due to the thinness of the epidermis, which highlights the underlying venous network. Later, the stretch marks "heal", and assume a pearly white color and appear slightly hollow.
How is it treated?
Scars and stretch marks can be treated with microablative laser, or by surgical removal in case of very large keloids. It is possible to use topical corticosteroids for keloids.
Suggested procedures
Where do we treat it?
Are you interested in receiving the treatment?