Microneedling is a popular procedure to address different skin concerns including fine lines, wrinkles, acne, age spots. However, not many know that microneedling works well on stretch marks. The treatment reduces the appearance of stretch marks along with improving the overall skin condition.
Q: What Are Stretch Marks?
A: Anyone can get stretch marks: teenagers, men, and women. While they are not harmful or painful, they can sometimes itch, and many find them are aesthetically unpleasing. People have used all types of preparations to try and avoid or remove stretch marks but studies have shown that topical creams and lotions do not penetrate deep enough into the skin to be effective on stretch marks. This is where microneedling comes in.
Normally, our remarkable skin can stretch out and return right back to its place but sometimes we can experience rapid changes that cause our skin to stretch past its normal limits. The collagen and elastin that support the skin rupture and leave scarring known as stretch marks.
Q: What Causes Stretch Marks?
A: Some skin types are genetically more prone to stretch marks than others so they are unavoidable. Many teenagers find they develop stretch marks during puberty as their bodies go through many rapid changes. Pregnancy, rapid weight loss or weight gain, rapid muscle development, growth spurts, overuse of topical corticosteroid creams, and genetic disorders can all result in stretch marks.
Q: Does Microneedling Work on Stretch Marks?
A: Microneedling is a cosmetic treatment that utilizes your body’s ability to heal itself resulting in the correction of flaws on the surface of the skin. The treatment creates tiny micro-injuries in the top layer of the skin triggering the production of collagen and elastin. Improved firmness, smoother texture, reduction in scars, pore size, and stretch marks can all be achieved using microneedling.
Microneedling works for post-acne scars too! Learn how.
Many people are aware of facial microneedling treatments but don’t know that microneedling can also be used to treat stretch marks anywhere on the body.
Q: Dermaroller Vs. Microneedling: What Is Better?
A: Dermarollers have become all the rage with an “at home” type of microneedling treatment. However, the results of a professional microneedling treatment performed by a skilled medical specialist will be far superior to any “at-home” solution. A DIY treatment is only going to reach the very surface of the skin and will not penetrate beyond that. Also, dermarolling involves proper cleaning and disinfecting. In a professional setting, a numbing cream will be used to keep you comfortable during the procedure as the treatment penetrates deeper into the skin’s layers.
Q: What Can I Expect From a Microneedling Procedure?
A: Professional microneedling treatments not only reach the top layer of skin but can penetrate deeper into the layers to effectively treat stretch marks. Stretch marks most frequently appear in places where the skin is a bit thicker and therefore requires treatment that penetrates a bit deeper than would be needed for the face.
A numbing cream is applied to the treatment area before the procedure and time would be allowed for it to penetrate the skin and become effective. The microneedling tool would be used to treat the area with the stretch marks by running the tool back and forth, over the skin’s surface. The tiny needles would penetrate the skin’s layers and cause micro-injuries which will jumpstart the production of new collagen and elastin.
Q: How Long Does Microneedling for Stretch Marks Take?
A: The procedure itself can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the area or areas to be treated. Depending on the severity of the stretchmarks you may need 3 to 6 treatments, spread over several months, to attain the desired results.
Discover other skin treatments at SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics!
If you have stretch marks that you are self-conscience about, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Angelina Postoev today.
Dr. Angelina Postoev, MD, FACS, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon, and Christopher Ibikunle, MD, FACS, offer microneedling on stretchmarks for men and women in Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Buckhead, and other surrounding areas of Atlanta, Georgia.
