Scars vs. Stretch Marks: What’s the Difference?
Stretch marks and scars are visible marks of the body’s healing process, but they form for different reasons. Learn more about how they form and how you can treat them to reduce their appearance.
What Are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are created when the skin stretches or shrinks rapidly. The sudden changes cause the dermis, an underlayer of skin, to tear. Individuals may have raised or sunken red, purple, or brown streaks across different body parts, such as the stomach, upper arms, or thighs. Stretch marks are permanent, but they fade over time as the body replaces the damaged skin with less noticeable tissue.
Stretch marks can result from:
- Rapid weight or muscle changes
- Pregnancy
- Growth spurts
Are Stretch Marks Scars?
Stretch marks are a type of scar. Scars form when the body heals from a wound caused by injury, surgery, or disease. The body produces new collagen fibers to repair the wound, but the fibers are a different color and texture than the surrounding skin, resulting in a visible mark.
With stretch marks, the skin stretches or shrinks too quickly, disrupting collagen and tearing elastin. The body produces new collagen fibers to repair the fast changes, resulting in discolored stretch marks.
Prevention and Treatment Options
In some cases, it may be possible to prevent stretch marks from forming. For stretch marks that already exist, some treatment options can improve their appearance and help them fade faster.
Preventing Stretch Marks
To minimize the chances of stretch mark formation, be sure to:
- Stay hydrated: Hydrated, elastic skin is less likely to form stretch marks.
- Eat a balanced diet: A balanced diet filled with nutrient-rich foods can minimize the chances of stretch marks.
- Exercise regularly: Exercise can promote gradual weight changes, circulation, and collagen production, which are good for skin health.
How to Remove Scars and Stretch Marks
While there is no guaranteed way to remove scars or stretch marks, some scar treatments may be able to make them less noticeable. Nonsurgical treatments include:
- Laser therapy: Short and concentrated light pulses can break apart the scar tissue and prompt new collagen production.
- Microneedling: Tiny punctures to the scar tissue can stimulate collagen and elastin growth to create firmer skin.
- Chemical peels: By removing a layer of skin, a chemical peel can encourage collagen production to minimize scar appearance.
For severe scars and stretch marks, individuals may need to consider surgical treatments such as:
- Dermabrasion: Removing the damaged outer skin layer can stimulate collagen growth and improve the appearance of scars.
- Plastic surgery: Some procedures, such as a tummy tuck, can remove excess skin with stretch marks.
Topical treatments, such as creams, lotions, and oils, can potentially reduce the likelihood of stretch marks, but they need to be used on early stretch marks, and the results are often varied.
Scar and Stretch Mark Treatments at Southern Plastic & Reconstructive Surgical Institute
Treatments work differently for everyone, so it’s important to consult a professional for a personalized treatment plan. Dr. Nathan Brought and his team offer comprehensive treatment options to help you feel more confident. When you choose SPRSI for scar and stretch mark management, you’ll access unmatched expertise and exceptional patient care.
Schedule a consultation today to begin achieving your skincare goals.
