FDA Approved Stretch Mark Removal

When people hear the word “striae” they may not know what it means. It is however, medical terminology for stretch marks. Most people, especially pregnant women, are familiar with stretch marks. Stretch marks are simply a separation in collagen between large tissue and the person’s skin cells. This separation often results in a very noticeable change of skin quality, for example the skin loses its elastic capabilities and often the skin turns a different color. Stretch marks themselves do not necessarily require medical treatment, however many people want to find how to treat them because the stretch marks make them self conscious about their body. There are several different stretch mark removal products, like creams whose efficacy is as of yet undetermined by the FDA and laser technology which has recently been approved by the FDA.

The reason that stretch marks appear on the body are not a secret. Whenever the body is forced to grow at a rapid rate, the possibility of stretch marks become present. When women are pregnant their bodies releases hormones that let the skin grow rapidly, which may lead to collagen malformations in the dermis, which is why stretch marks occur. Pregnancy is not the only reason for them, other people can get stretch marks as well, any rapid growth or rapid weight gain can cause them, for example people going through puberty.

A product, like cream or laser treatment, treat stretch marks in different ways from each other. Fractional stretch mark laser treatment tells the body to fill in the gaps of collagen in order to reduce the appearance of the stretch marks. This has been FDA approved, however the different creams available have not been FDA approved as treatment for stretch marks.

Although fractional laser surgery has just recently been approved for stretch marks removal, it has already been approved for other types of cosmetic surgery. Some of these surgeries include laser skin resurfacing and removing acne scars. Fractional laser treatments are a great option for people who have tried other methods that just did not work.