Scars and Stretch Marks – Causes and Treatments

Human skin has elasticity in it to expand and grow. However, if that expansion or growth happens rapidly, as in the case of quick weight gain or pregnancy, stretch marks can appear. This allows underlying blood vessels to show through, leaving behind the telltale red or purplish marks. Over time, they fade to a white or silver color as blood vessels heal. Typically, the marks don't go away fully.  Stretch marks are lines or bands in the skin caused by stretching of the skin's connective tissue.  Contrary to what many people believe, these are not formed on the surface of the skin, but rather on the dermis or the middle layer of the skin that is responsible for providing the skin with support structure so that it can maintain it shape.   Scars are fibrous tissues that take the place of normal skin and usually develop after an injury. It is the result of the body’s natural biological process of repairing wounds in the skin and other tissues across the body. There are several types of scars, hypertrophic, atrophic and keloid. Each can be treated to be diminished or remove altogether. There are several treatments available today to lesson or remove scars and stretch marks. Contact our office to learn more or visit: MiamiCosmeticDerm.