Stretch Mark Removal Candidates

While there are many suitable candidates for stretch mark removal, the most common patients are women who have recently given birth. Stretch marks and pregnancy usually go hand in hand – almost three in four women will experience stretch marks after pregnancy. These women usually suffer from belly stretch marks, but other areas may also be affected. Other candidates include people who have lost significant weight and bodybuilders who have quickly developed significant muscle mass.

Causes of Stretch Marks

Both men and women are susceptible to stretch marks, particularly on the thighs, hips, arms, buttocks, abdominal area, and lower back. There are several causes of stretch marks, including:

• Genetics: Women are more likely to get belly stretch marks if their mother, for instance, had stretch marks after pregnancy.
• Significant weight gain and loss: Your skin stretches as your weight fluctuates, sometimes resulting in stretch marks.
• Puberty: Growth spurts during puberty often result in stretch marks as the skin is unable to keep up with the body’s rate of growth.
• Bodybuilding: Rapid development of muscle mass may stretch the skin beyond its limits.
• Corticosteroids: Heavy or long-term use of oral or topical corticosteroids, a widely used pharmaceutical steroid compound, can lead to stretch mark formation.
• Ethnicity: People with darker skin are less likely to have stretch marks.

Stretch Marks after Pregnancy

Stretch marks after pregnancy are particularly common. Nearly three in four women will develop stretch marks on their legs, abdomen, hips, and other areas of the body affected by weight gain during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the skin expands and stretches to its limit, causing tiny tears in the supporting layers of skin. These tiny tears are stretch marks that appear as glossy, white streaks in the skin. Many women who have stretch marks after pregnancy turn to laser stretch mark removal to eliminate this unwanted scarring. This treatment is designed to give women the renewed, youthful appearance they desire.

Areas of the Body Affected by Stretch Marks

Stretch marks can affect any area of the body in which the skin is subject to rapid stretching. The abdomen is the area most often affected by stretch marks, but they are also common around the thighs, hips, buttocks, lower back, arms, and chest. Skin in all these areas is subject to high stress as a result of heavy use and rapid expansion. Theoretically, any area of the body could be vulnerable to stretch marks if the skin is stretched enough as a result of tissue expansion.

Find Out If You Are a Candidate for Stretch Mark Removal

Most stretch mark removal procedures are open to almost any patient. If you would like further information on stretch mark removal, use the DocShop listings to find a cosmetic dermatology specialist in your area.

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