4 facts about stretch marks and how we treat them with microneedling

Microneedling is a highly versatile treatment. Our Board-certified dermatologist at Bluebonnet Dermatology, Dr. Huayi Zhang, uses this technique to safely and precisely heal damaged skin from within. While Dr. Zhang may recommend microneedling services to fight wrinkles and other signs of aging, it may also be used for patients across a wide range of ages to improve the appearance of stretch marks.

Below are four things to know about these distinctive indentations and how we treat them at our clinic in McKinney, Texas:

1 – Stretch marks: A unique concern

Known as striae, stretch marks are a form of permanent scarring. They arise any time the skin is rapidly stretched or shrunk. You may notice stretch marks during pregnancy, or when gaining or losing a large amount of weight in a short period of time. This process causes the “building blocks” of the skin (elastin and collagen) to rupture. As with any scar, these characteristic lines or striations form as the skin attempts to heal itself. The color of these scars varies and depends on factors such as the age of the scar and your skin tone. As they fade and sink into the skin, stretch marks may appear lighter instead of red, brown, or purple. The texture also changes; with time, your mature scar may feel like a slight depression or indentation in the skin.

2 – Why are they challenging to treat

Generally, you cannot fade stretch marks by applying a cream or another topical product. Scars are typically very stubborn to treat because they affect deeper layers of the skin. They are not simply surface-level imperfections. To truly make a difference in the appearance of striae, Dr. Zhang must target and treat the root cause: the changes to the structural components of the skin. Accomplishing this requires professional expertise and technologies that go beyond anything that you can buy at the store or apply at home.

3 – How microneedling overcomes these challenges

Microneedling is seemingly made for stretch marks and other scars. That’s because it stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. In fact, microneedling is sometimes referred to as “collagen induction therapy” for this reason. We use a special device to trigger a process of healing. As the skin heals, new collagen and elastin are made to fill in these characteristic indentations, and the hardened scar tissue is also broken up. Dr. Zhang carefully induces this healing process. She applies a special, handheld device that features dozens of ultra-thin and sterile needles. These “micro-needles” produce controlled injuries. The body responds to such micro-injuries by gradually making more collagen and elastin to heal the site.

4 – More ways microneedling heals and “fills in” the skin

Due to microneedling’s collagen-inducing properties, it is appropriate for many types of depressions and texture-related irregularities in the skin, including:

• Surgical scars
• Traumatic scars
• Acne scars (boxcar, ice pick, rolling)
• Big or enlarged pores
• Crepey skin
• Orange peel texture
• Uneven texture

To find out how you may be able to benefit from microneedling, request a consultation with Dr. Zhang today. Call (469) 663-8838 to speak with a member of our team at Bluebonnet Dermatology in McKinney, TX.

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