Is it possible to eliminate stretch marks?

Stretch marks are micro-lesions, visible on the skin's surface, very common and comparable to scars that affect many people, both women and men, although they are more frequent in women. Stretch marks are located on certain parts of the body such as the thighs, abdomen, buttocks, hips and chest, the lower back, upper arms and the inner side of the knees. They appear on the skin as elongated lines or streaks, often purplish at first, then pink and finally pearly white.

The depth and colour indicate the stage of stretch mark evolution. Indeed, we can distinguish two phases:

• The acute/inflammatory phase which is characterised by red-violet lesions with a somewhat raised appearance at the time of their formation, due to the dilation of blood vessels, and which can be, in some cases, symptomatic either painful or irritating.

• The chronic/scarring phase is characterised by hypopigmented (white) streaks and is asymptomatic.

Stretch marks form when the skin is subjected to an extension beyond its elasticity limits and the deep collagen fibres tear. Several triggering factors have been identified:

• Stretch marks can particularly be associated with high levels of cortisol in the blood, the stress hormone, which is the case in certain diseases such as Cushing's syndrome or during treatments based on cortisol. In large quantities, this hormone impacts the production of collagen, responsible for the skin's flexibility. When the skin loses its elasticity, it cracks when stretched.

• Pregnancy and growth spurts in teenagers are also high-risk periods. These periods are associated with a significant hormonal influence, which will cause a weakening of collagen and elastin fibres, hence this rupture of these fibres that leads to these skin depressions.

• A rapid and significant weight gain or loss can also cause the skin to stretch.

• Thelong-term systemic or topical use of steroids in athletes can promote the occurrence of stretch marks. Their purpose is to rapidly increase muscle mass.