Microdermabrasion has revolutionised they in which stretch marks are managed. This procedure has been shown to decrease the appearance of those unwanted marks. Ladies and gentlemen, please continue reading to understand how this can be achieved. The formation of stretch marks: At present, there is a common misnomer that they also known as striae distensae) arise due to the overstretching of skin which is associated with pregnancy and growth spurts. However, this is untrue and the scientific reason behind the formation of these is based upon the high blood circulating levels of glucocorticoids (hormones) which are secreted by the adrenal glands.
The adrenal glands are situated bilaterally and are found on top of the upper pole of the kidney. Glucocorticoids tend to be released in excess during pregnancy, obesity, weight lifting and Cushing's disease. Striae distensae can also arise due to the chronic oral intake of steroids (such as prednisolone) which propel the formation of these unwanted marks on the skin. Topical steroid creams have also been proven to initiate the formation of these marks and in some cases, frequent use should be avoided.
Fibroblasts are cells that are involved in laying down collagen (connective tissue) in skin tissue so that the skin remains strong and possess an adequate degree of elasticity. During the normal skin cycle, fibroblasts lay down collagen to replace what is lost from the skin; this is called physiological skin remodelling. This process also occurs when skin is injured; fibroblasts lay down collagen to bridge the gap between cracked skin, eventually allowing the collagen to amalgamate with normal skin, hence forming a continuum. Unfortunately, when circulating blood levels of glucocorticoids are high, the fibroblasts are inhibited thus inhibiting the normal remodelling of skin.
Ultimately, this leads to the decreased thickness of skin with abnormal or lack of collagen deposits in the skin resulting in the formation of stretch marks. The use of Microdermabrasion for scar reduction: Microdermabrasion has been shown to be effective in reducing the appearance of skin marks; especially for those stubborn old white marks that do not seem to disappear with different cream formulations and various other treatment modalities. Many microscopic studies have supported the fact that Microdermabrasion can help in reducing the appearance of stretch marks. The procedure can be performed in many beautician as well as plastic surgery clinics. Results are usually seen after 6 sessions of Microdermabrasion applied to the area where the marks are present. Many studies have also shown that with the use of high concentration Vitamin E & A creams, coupled with Microdermabrasion, cosmetic results are very impressive! If you have stretch marks which you have been trying to get rid of for months or even years, look no further , for Microdermabrasion may be the answer to making those annoying marks memories of the past!.
Asanka Samaranayake (BSc Hons Neuroscience) and Darren Patten (Bsc Hons Surgery & Anaesthesia)have a specialist interest in microdermabrasion and provide you with an indispensable resource at Microdermabrasion Info. Net
