Treating stretch marks: What icoone® can do for fresh and older stretch marks

Stretch marks, called striae in medical language, are a form of scar. They develop when the skin is stretched faster than it can grow. This typically happens after pregnancy, during a growth spurt in puberty, with strong muscle gain or with weight changes. Here you can read what is realistically possible and where the limits are.

How stretch marks develop

When the skin is suddenly stretched a lot, fine fibres in the middle layer of the skin that give it support and elasticity tear: collagen and elastin. The body repairs these tears with scar tissue. It is less elastic and looks different from the surrounding skin.

There are two phases:

Fresh stretch marks: reddish to purple, sometimes slightly raised. The skin is still repairing itself, and the cells that form collagen are active. This phase lasts from a few weeks to about 12 months.

Older stretch marks: whitish and slightly sunken. The scar has settled. The cells that form collagen are less active in this area, and there is less collagen and elastin.

Good to know: Fresh stretch marks can often be influenced more easily than older ones. How much is individual.

Who gets stretch marks

• Many pregnant women: depending on the study, 50 to 90 %, usually on the abdomen, breasts, thighs and hips
• Teenagers during growth spurts, often on the lower back, chest and thighs
• People after significant weight loss or muscle gain
• People who take cortisone for a longer period

Genetic predisposition plays a bigger role than is often assumed. If stretch marks run in your family, you are more likely to get them, regardless of skin care and oils.

What icoone® can do for stretch marks

Mechanical micro-stimulation can stimulate the cells that form collagen and, according to the manufacturer, encourage the formation of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. You can read more about the technology in the article What is icoone®?.

With fresh, reddish stretch marks: The skin is still repairing itself. Micro-stimulation can support tissue renewal. Colour, skin texture and elasticity in the treated area can change. How much is individual.

With older, whitish stretch marks: The tissue has scarred, and the marks are lighter than the rest of the skin because pigment is missing there. The skin texture can change; the light colour usually remains in part. For further treatment of older stretch marks, I recommend a specialised medical practice.

What helps little or not at all

Care oils and creams (almond oil, cocoa butter and similar)

The evidence is weak. For none of these products has it been shown that they prevent stretch marks or reduce them noticeably. They keep the skin supple, nothing more. If you like applying oil: it does no harm. If you skip it: that is fine too.

Cold showers, pinching and brush massages

These may feel pleasant. An effect on existing stretch marks, however, has not been shown.

«Miracle sprays» and special products from the internet

Be careful: the louder the promise, the thinner the evidence usually is.

Approach depending on the situation

Pregnancy stretch marks (fresh, after giving birth): Once wounds have healed and your doctor or midwife agrees, an icoone® course of 10 sessions is possible. While breastfeeding, after consultation. More on the right timing in the article Postpartum recovery.

Stretch marks after muscle gain or weight changes: First stabilise your weight or muscle mass, then an icoone® course over several months, followed by individual refresher sessions after the basic course.

Older, whitish stretch marks: To be honest: it is unrealistic that they disappear completely. The skin texture can change, the light colour usually remains in part. If you want more, you will find further options at a specialised medical practice.

Realistic timeframes

Time. Collagen renews itself slowly. Think in months, not weeks:

• Fresh stretch marks: For some people, the appearance of the skin can change over several months.
• Older stretch marks: The skin texture can change; the marks usually remain visible.

Regularity. A single session usually changes little. Whether and how noticeably the skin changes is individual.

When to see a doctor

• If stretch marks appear suddenly and for no apparent reason
• If other changes occur as well, for example a rounder face or unwanted weight gain
• If a hormonal cause is suspected, for example Cushing’s syndrome

They may then be a sign of another condition and should be checked by a doctor.

Pricing

Single icoone® session 60 min.: CHF 195 Recommended course (10 sessions): CHF 175.50 per session · original suit included

To scar treatment · Book appointment · WhatsApp consultation

Also of interest: Pregnancy massage for prevention

Sources

• Hague A, Bayat A. Therapeutic targets in the management of striae distensae: A systematic review. J Am Acad Dermatol 2017;77(3):559-568.
• icoone® scientific background: icoone.com/en/science

Individual results may vary. This content does not replace medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

Can stretch marks be removed completely?

Stretch marks cannot be removed completely. How much their appearance changes is individual; with older, whitish marks a visible trace usually remains. Realistic expectations protect against disappointment.

Do care oils or cocoa butter help against stretch marks?

The evidence for care oils and creams is weak. They keep the skin supple, but have not been shown to prevent stretch marks or reduce them noticeably. If you like applying cream: it does no harm. If you skip it: that is fine too.

When should treatment begin?

Fresh, reddish stretch marks can often be influenced more easily than older, whitish ones. After pregnancy, it is best to start once wounds have healed and your doctor or midwife agrees.

Read more

Scars after caesarean → · Skin tightening after pregnancy → · Skin tightening without surgery →

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