Stretch marks are also known as striae. Stretch marks occur when the dermis part of the skin is slowly torn off by reason of some sort of expansion such as weight gain or pregnancy. It usually manifests itself as a red or almost purple discoloration with a depression or scarring. Stretch marks usually occur in areas like the belly (in pregnant women), around the breasts, the hips and even the things. Other factors such as hormonal changes in puberty and bodybuilding can also cause stretch marks.
Causes of Marks
Stretch marks are usually caused by a sudden expansion on the skin such as in pregnancy or the normal weight gain. Studies have shown that when it comes to pregnant women, it is the pregnant teenagers that usually get severe stretch marks. Hormonal changes like in puberty may also trigger stretch marks. Genetics can save you from the perils of stretch marks so do dieting and exercising.
Am I a Good Candidate for this Procedure?
People suffering from stretch marks have the option of going through a derma roller procedure. This procedure usually targets people with stretch marks, scarring, or even facial scarring due to blemishes or hyperpigmentation. The Derma Roller is suitable for all skin types.
Stretch Mark Derma Roller Treatment
The Derma Roller relies on the skin’s ability to heal itself. This procedure uses a single-use sterile device which has a rotating wheel which is imbedded with tiny needles. The needles are placed there to stimulate the skin and to encourage collagen and eslatin production. This procedure claims to be extremely safe since it actually relies on your skin’s own healing abilities. It promises to leave you with younger and clearer skin.
How Does it Work?
It may sound kind of weird but the tiny needles in the roller inflict extremely microscopic injuries unto your skin. The skin is known for its ability to repair itself after some sort of damage or trauma has occurred. Since the derma roller inflicts small injuries unto the skin, the skin will then repair itself without any scarring.
How Long Does it Take?
The treatment is quick and is done in a matter of 20 or 30 minutes. There is another 30 minutes before the operation that is used to wait for the anaesthetic to kick-in in order to numb the area. The anaesthetic is used so that you won’t feel any pain during the treatment since there is a need to create microscopic punctures unto your skin. All in all the treatment usually take around 20 or 60 minutes with the anaesthetic. This period of time may also vary, depending on the area to be treated. Considering that the belly area is considerably bigger than let’s say the face, maybe it will take a little bit longer to finish.
Does it Hurt?
The answer to this query would be a big no. That’s the whole point of the topical anaesthetic, so that you won’t feel any pain when going through the derma roller. Surprisingly though, your skin does not bleed either. Even though there are a hundred microscopic punctures on your face, they’re all still too small to bleed. The most that will happen is the area treated will look red as if it got a sun burn.
How Quickly Will I Recover?
For women who use the derma roller procedure on their face, this may be an issue since the affected area will look red after the treatment. But if you are using this procedure to remove stretch marks then that won’t be an issue since the affected areas may be covered by a top or any form of clothing. However to be sure, it is advised to use sunscreen on the affected area since it is extra sensitive.
It is advised to use tepid water when rinsing the affected area for at least 48 hours after the procedure. Always use clean hands when touching the area in order to avoid infections. Dry the area gently by patting it softly.
The skin will then begin to rebuild and repair itself. New skin will be formed by new collagen and this will show in a few weeks or so, maybe around 6 weeks.
Is this Safe?
Although there are possible effects such as swelling, redness or even inflammation this will usually die down in a few hours or in cases of inflammation, a couple of weeks. The procedure is generally safe if done by an experienced professional.
Bottom Line
If you are not satisfied with all those natural remedies such as olive oil, lemon juice and the like, then maybe looking into the process of Derma Rolling will be right for you. As long as you have it done at a legitimate dermatologist and by an expert, your stretch marks will fade in a few weeks or so.
The unfortunate truth is that more than 90% of the stretch mark creams being sold today are ineffective. Some are even unsafe and can cause side effects like skin irritation. Choosing a stretch mark cream is a very difficult process that takes a lot of time for thorough research. To make it a lot easier for you, we have carefully examined the top stretch mark creams on the market and ranked them based on effectiveness, safety and affordability. Here are the best products for your consideration.
