3 facts about stretch marks and how to effectively treat them with microneedling

Stretch marks can be challenging to treat. You may know this truth frustratingly well; perhaps you have tried all sorts of products that claim to make these indentations disappear. You likely saw little to no improvement in the appearance of your skin. Fortunately, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Neelam Patel and our team at Magnolia Dermatology Clinic have powerful solutions that work to smooth these distinctive lines once and for all. Our patients in Clarksville, Pleasant View, Fort Campbell, and the greater Nashville, Tennessee area may benefit from microneedling, and we are proud to introduce three facts about treatment for stretch marks with this service.

1 – Stretch marks 101

Stretch marks can be elusive to treat, because they are a type of scar. When we rapidly lose or gain weight or go through growth spurts, the skin has to accommodate these changes. It is either stretched or shrunk. These fluctuations cause the building blocks of our skin, the collagen and elastin, to rupture. During the healing process, stretch marks may appear, just as surgical or traumatic scars develop to repair wounds or injuries. Depending on your skin tone, these striations may be red, purple, pink, or brown. They may itch and be raised. Over time, the color fades, and these bands sink under the skin. You may feel a shallow depression when you touch mature stretch marks.

2 – The power of microneedling

Researchers have studied numerous products that are marketed for stretch marks. They found that such products had little effect on mature stretch marks and, if results appeared at all, it took weeks for improvements to be visible. Microneedling is designed to improve the appearance of depressions in the skin, including scars like stretch marks or striae. It effectively smooths the skin when OTC products fail to make a noticeable difference. The “magic” of microneedling is its ability to trigger your body to produce more collagen and elastin. These proteins and fibers are responsible for your skin’s structure, support, and elasticity. By inducing more collagen/elastin, we even out the texture of your skin and smooth the depressed areas.

3 – Your journey to smoother skin

Microneedling stimulates collagen and elastin production by creating small perforations in the area of concern. These perforations are made with a handheld device that contains several microneedles. As we apply this device, these tiny, sterile needles make microscopic openings in your skin. In response, your body heals and closes these perforations by creating more collagen. As collagen is produced, improvements will occur gradually. Treatment is generally tolerated well with a numbing cream, and little to no downtime is required. We will also review specific pre-treatment and after-care instructions with you before your treatment. It may require a series of treatments to get optimal results for stretch marks. But, due to the deep and real changes that occur within these, the results are generally long-lasting.

To learn more about stretch mark treatment that lives up to its promises, schedule a consultation at Magnolia Dermatology Clinic. Call (931) 551-2929 to speak with a member of our team in Clarksville, TN. We are proud to serve Pleasant View, Fort Campbell, and the greater Nashville area with trusted, specialty care.