drugs

Drugs to Treat Stretch Marks

Definition

In addition to cellulite, among the most common skin blemishes, stretch marks certainly play a leading role: although it is an almost completely female condition, even men can find stretch marks on the skin. In particular, this aesthetic disorder refers to linear, atrophic and circumscribed alterations on the skin, which mainly affect the hips, the breast and the belly.

Causes

Stretch marks are the most immediate consequence of a literal "stretching" of the skin, which can in turn be caused by several factors:

  • hormonal alteration (in pregnancy, for example, there is a rapid change in weight and body size, which leads to the breakdown of collagen fibers, and therefore to stretch marks)
  • weight gain or fast weight loss
  • sport: in weight lifting the skin is subjected to heavy stresses: increasing, the muscle mass "stretches" the skin, creating stretch marks
  • pathologies affecting the adrenal glands
  • Inordinate use of corticosteroids (topical application or systemic intake)
  • Cushing's syndrome

Symptoms

Stretch marks are a purely aesthetic disorder, which does not involve any pain symptoms: initially on the skin linear or jagged streaks, colored red or purple, are noticed; subsequently, the lines become white or greyish.

Diet

Information on Stretch Marks - Drugs for the Treatment of Stretch Marks is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking stretch marks - drugs for the treatment of stretch marks.

drugs

As with many skin disorders and pathologies, the prevention of stretch marks is the best cure: in fact, these unsightly streaks of the skin are difficult to resolve. However, in milder cases, stretch marks tend to regress spontaneously, without the need for treatment or treatment.

There is no universally recognized therapy as effective for the definitive recovery of stretch marks; however, there are very many treatments, pharmacological or not, aimed at lightening the problem or at least partly covering the problem.

Among the non-pharmacological alternative techniques, we recall:

  1. Microdermabrasion (deep peeling): the stretch mark is subjected to a forced exfoliation by a quick jet of aluminum microcrystals. Useful to stimulate the regeneration of skin that involves stretch marks.
  2. Repigmentation (indicated for long-standing stretch marks): consists in stimulating the physiological synthesis of melanin. The technique aims to mask the stretch mark
  3. Laser therapy: stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin fibers by means of a pulsed light beam directed directly towards the stretch mark
  4. Fractional photothermolysis: cell synthesis is stimulated, thus promoting the production of collagen and elastin

The application of creams or ointments directly in the area affected by stretch marks is often useful to lighten the disorder; moreover, in pregnant women, it is advisable to always apply this type of products, from the first months of gestation, to make the skin more elastic and prevent the formation of stretch marks, a very probable phenomenon in the last months of pregnancy.

  • Retinoic acid or tretinoin (eg Retin-A , Vesanoid ) : it is an acid derivative of vitamin A, indicated for the treatment of red-purple stretch marks (recent stretch marks, not appeared more than 6 weeks). The drug is useful for reconstructing the damaged collagen fibers in the stretch mark. Do not take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding: the drug is teratogenic, even long after the end of treatment. Do not use for light stretch marks: the application of the cream would be useless for healing purposes. The drug is also widely used to treat acne.
  • Glycolic acid: it is one of the alpha-hydroxy acids indicated for the treatment of stretch marks. This substance is used in therapy for its known exfoliating and antioxidant properties: not surprisingly, the products formulated with glycolic acid are indicated for peelings and scrubs. Furthermore, it is observed that glycolic acid is also indicated to stimulate the synthesis of collagen fibers, which as we know, are damaged in the stretch mark. Many anti-stretch mark creams are formulated with this substance.

"Natural" drugs against stretch marks

We have seen that stretch marks can be prevented by applying specific creams to the skin with an elasticizing effect and stimulating the microcirculation:

  • Echinacea ( Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida and Echinacea angustifolia ): the phytocomplex, rich in phenylpropanoid glycosides (echinacoside), cinnamic acid and glycosylates, protects hyaluronic acid from degradation.
  • Horsetail ( Equisetum arvense ): the horsetail is also characterized by its abrasive therapeutic properties: for this reason, it is used for peeling, useful for removing the superficial cells of the epidermis. By doing so, the elasticity of the skin is enhanced, preventing stretch marks.
  • Sweet almond oil, shea butter: these products are indicated for elasticizing the skin, stimulating the synthesis of fibroblasts. Regular application of belly creams, from the first months of pregnancy, is recommended for the prevention of stretch marks.
  • Sea buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides ): the application of creams or compresses formulated with sea buckthorn is indicated in the prevention of stretch marks for capillarotropic capacities, stimulating microcirculation and anti-peroxidative.
  • Horse Chestnut ( Aesculus hippocastanum ): the drug marker is escin, saponin with strong microcirculation stimulating capabilities: a cream formulated with this active ingredient is indicated to increase capillary resistance and decrease permeability, useful elements for the prevention of stretch marks.