Stretch Marks and Scar Management

• Stretch Marks
• Scar Management

Stretch Marks

Stretch marks occur in Dermis. Due to constant stretch on skin, skin loses elasticity and small connective fibers break. Skin distention leads to excessive mast cell degranulation with subsequent damage of collagen and elastin. Skin tries to reinforce itself and increases the amount of strong, supporting fibers. As a result, linear scars (stretch marks) will form. Aesthetic problem; if extensive the striae may tear and ulcerate (accident or excess stretch).

Physical Appearance:

• Early striae:
  • Flattened, thinned skin
  • Pinkish tinge, occasionally puritic
• Mature striae:
  • Flattened, thinned skin
  • Pinkish tinge, occasionally puritic
• Evolution:
  • Similar to healing wound or scar formation
  • Separation of collagen of skin
  • Lower abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, arms and breasts

Causes:

No consensus. More easily in skin that has a high proportion of rigid cross-linked collagen (early adult life) As result of:

• Pregnancy
• Lactation
• Weight Gain
• Weight Lifting
• Genetic

Protocol

• Injections in striae (painful, but best results):
  • Homeopathic medicines, vitamin C, Retin-A to stimulate collagen
  • Homeopathic medicines, vitamin C & DMAE to tighten skin
• 10 sessions / 1 session bi-weekly
• Additional:
  • Occlusion acid peel - monthly
  • Pulsed laser (SR) - monthly

Results:

Significant improvements in skin texture, firmness and color. Stretch marks never go entirely away. Better results in early stages (pink-red). More difficult when stretch marks are faded and flattened

Scar Management

A scar is a build-up of fibrin (collagen) as a result of a trauma. At a young age, after a (micro-) trauma (e.g cut), there are two processes that take place:

1. The body will sent fibrin (collagen) to the injured area to stop the bleeding ‘patch’ it up.
2. The pancreas produces fibrolytic enzymes that will ‘eat’ the excess fibrin away so no scar is left.

As we get older (>27 years), the pancreas drastically reduces the production of these fibrolytic enzymes; so in the event of a micro-trauma the body will continue to sent fibrin to the injured area, however there will not be enough enzymes to eat the excess fibrin away. This results in a scar.

Treatment approach:

• Supplementation with all natural fibrolytic enzymes (except clients on blood thinners such as Coumadin) 8 weeks high dose followed by 6 months maintenance dose
• Injection of the scar with a live enzyme (hyaluronidase) and procaine2% (for tissue regeneration). Depending on scar size (keloid): 4-8 injections, once/week.
• Daily application of our ‘Imagine Scar Softener’.

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