Stretch Marks

What Are Stretch Marks?

• Vertical scars that form on the skin during periods of rapid skin stretching, including pregnancy, growth spurts, body building and weight gain
• Very common, affecting 50-90% of all pregnant women
• Stretch marks are the result of damage to collagen and elastin components of skin
• Usually found on abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks and thighs
• Initially pink to purple and then lighten to pale silvery-white
• May be itchy, tender and painful and cause one to feel self-conscious

How Can I Prevent Stretch Marks?

• Keep the skin well moisturized with nutrients that promote collagen and elastin production to allow the skin to stretch without scarring.
• MD Wellness Solutions offers several options safe for pregnant women including Strataderm medical grade silicone scar therapy gel

How Do I Use StrataDerm?

• Start using StrataDerm gel after 13 weeks of pregnancy, or at the first sign of stretch marks during a growth spurt
• Continue StrataDerm for 2-3 months after pregnancy or growth spurt completed
• If treating established stretch marks, treat for at least 3 months and talk to your doctor about laser treatment to augment your StrataDerm treatment
• Apply a thin layer of StrataDerm once daily after bathing and drying the skin, leave on for 24 hours
• Best results obtained by allowing continuous contact of StrataDerm with the skin
• StrataDerm gel drys quickly and can be covered by clothing or sunscreen

How Do I Treat Existing Stretch Marks?

• Laser treatment can improve the appearance of existing stretch marks by improving blood flow, collagen and elastin production in the dermal layer of the skin. Dr. Tkatch recommends a series of ICON 1540 non-ablative fractional laser treatments to improve stretch marks. If you are pregnant you will be evaluated postpartum to establish a custom treatment program.