Stretch marks, or striae, are atrophic scar changes in places of greatest stretching of the skin. Externally, they look like purple-red stripes and can be located radially or parallel. Most often, stretch marks are localized in the abdomen, hips, lower back, shoulders, and mammary glands.
One of the most effective methods for treating stretch marks is mesotherapy. Cocktails of specially selected medications and vitamins are injected into problem areas.
The essence of treating stretch marks using mesotherapy
Stretch marks occur due to impaired production of collagen and elastin. Weakened collagen-elastin fibers rupture in places of greatest stretching of the skin, in their place connective tissue grows and stretch marks form.
Mesotherapy cocktails have a complex effect on the skin:
- stimulate the formation of collagen and elastin fibers;
- trigger regeneration processes in the dermis;
- activate blood and lymph circulation in the affected area;
- strengthen and tone the skin in the stretch mark area.
The result of mesotherapy is the restoration of metabolic and regenerative processes in the affected layer of the dermis, increasing skin tone and eliminating pigmentation. Small stretch marks are corrected almost completely, while deep ones are evened out and almost blend in shade with the surrounding tissues.
Pathogenesis and diagnosis of striae
The pathogenesis of striae is associated with changes in the components of the extracellular matrix, including fibrin, elastin and collagen. Electron microscopy visualizes early alterations in the dermis, including degranulation of mast cells and activation of macrophages, leading to elastolysis. The release of enzymes (mainly elastase) by mast cells is considered a key early step in the pathogenesis of striae. Against the background of the inflammatory process, alteration occurs in collagen, elastin and fibrin fibers, and reorganization of fibrin and elastin is noted.
If stretch marks are detected, it is necessary to exclude diseases such as hypercortisolism syndrome and linear elastosis. In the presence of Cushing's syndrome, there is an increase in the level of steroid hormones in the blood serum and urine, striae have a greater degree of atrophy and a more intense color than in obesity. In the presence of linear elastosis, the formation of yellow, palpable linear stripes is noted.
Advantages of the mesotherapy method for removing stretch marks
Mesotherapy has established itself as one of the most effective methods of treating stretch marks. With the help of superficial injections, medicinal substances are delivered precisely to the problem area, providing a targeted effect.
The advantages of mesoinjections include:
- getting rid of stretch marks;
- lasting long-term results;
- painlessness and safety;
- lack of a long recovery period;
- compatibility with other aesthetic cosmetology procedures.
The injection site is pre-treated with an anesthetic drug. After a mesotherapy session, no rehabilitation is required, so the treatment of stretch marks takes place without pain or discomfort.
Indications and contraindications
Mesotherapy gives the best results when correcting “young” stretch marks up to 6 months old (such stretch marks have a bluish-pink color). Freshly formed striae contain fibroblasts - biologically active cellular elements of the dermis. Injections of drugs stimulate fibroblasts and they begin to secrete biologically active substances necessary for the synthesis of collagen, elastin and other components of the intercellular matrix.
After six months, the complete formation of the atrophic scar is completed, the stretch marks lighten - at the beginning they turn pink, then turn white. Therefore, the sooner you start mesotherapy procedures, the higher the likelihood of getting a good result.
Contraindications to mesotherapy are:
- allergic intolerance to the components of the meso cocktail;
- skin damage in the area of mesoinjection;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- exacerbation of dermatological diseases;
- blood clotting pathologies;
- acute infectious diseases;
- oncological formations.
Mesotherapy for stretch marks has no upper age restrictions. This procedure is allowed to be carried out starting from 18 years of age.
Causes of stretch marks
Stretch marks or stretch marks are a very specific cosmetic problem that can appear in both women and the stronger sex.
However, men are much less susceptible to this defect. According to their physiology, striae develop due to small internal tears in the skin, which are replaced by connective tissue. May be of different shades. Newly appeared stripes may have a purple or pinkish color, while older ones may be whitish. The length and depth of the stripes vary, and sometimes they affect several areas of the body at once.
Such areas cannot be hidden with tanning. After prolonged sunbathing, they become more pronounced and noticeable.
Most often the problem occurs on the chest, abdomen, lower back, buttocks and thighs. Less commonly, stretch marks can be seen on the upper arms and legs. There are many reasons for their development on the body:
Pregnancy and childbirth- Hormonal imbalance
- Genetic predisposition
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain
- Rapid growth during adolescence
- Poor nutrition
- Exacerbation of chronic diseases
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Having bad habits (smoking, frequent drinking of alcohol)
The defect itself does not pose a threat to health, but is a serious cosmetic defect. Unaesthetic stripes on the body can ruin even the most beautiful figure. Stretch marks are difficult to treat, especially if they are in a neglected state.
Composition of mesotherapy cocktails for stretch marks
Mesococktails include drugs that have a lipolytic, draining and regenerating effect on the dermis:
- NM hyaluronic acid;
- GF collagen and elastin;
- lymphatic drainage and trophic stimulating agents;
- drugs for vascular restoration;
- means that accelerate metabolism;
- vitamins and amino acids.
The injector selects a therapeutic cocktail individually for each patient. Its composition depends on the severity of stretch marks, location and area of the problem area, and medical history.
Skin care after the procedure
After visiting the salon, the girl is always prescribed recommendations and restrictions that are important to follow. They need to be taken into account both after the salon procedure and after performing it at home.
The following recommendations are prescribed to restore sensitive skin:
- Avoid washing the treated area and applying any cosmetics to it for 4 hours;
- Stop drinking alcohol, energy drinks and smoking for 6 hours;
- For 3 days, avoid visiting the sauna, swimming pool, or taking a hot bath;
- When taking a course of mesotherapy, stop taking blood thinning medications and also avoid sunbathing.
You must follow these recommendations after each session. This will help not only to avoid unwanted consequences after mesotherapy, but also to increase the efficiency of absorption of nutrients.
How are stretch marks treated with mesotherapy?
- Initial examination and consultation with a doctor.
- Individual selection of drugs.
- Treatment of the injection site.
- Injection of mesocotail under the skin.
At the initial consultation, a cosmetologist assesses the condition of the skin, collects anamnesis, and clarifies indications and contraindications. If necessary, he can prescribe tests and visits to specialized specialists. Next, the doctor will select the composition of the meso-cocktail, determine the number of mesotherapy sessions and the intervals between them.
If there is a low pain threshold or a large area of impact, the procedures are performed under local anesthesia. The type of anesthetic (cream or injection) is determined by the doctor.
Three days before the mesotherapy session, you need to stop taking medications that interfere with blood clotting: aspirin, NSAIDs and others. On the day of the procedure, you should not apply care or decorative cosmetics to the skin in the area of the treated stretch marks.
Mesotherapy sessions for stretch marks are carried out on an outpatient basis. First, the doctor cleanses the skin and treats it with an antiseptic, after which, if indicated, an anesthetic cream is applied or a local anesthetic is injected.
After completing the skin treatment, the doctor treats stretch marks with mesotherapy. For mesoinjections, special syringes with the finest needles are used, the puncture is made to a minimum depth.
After completing the mesotherapy session, the doctor will apply a healing cream to the skin and prescribe medications to treat the skin in the post-injection period. This can be a moisturizer or a product with SPF for exposed areas of the skin. When cyanosis appears, troxevasin, traumeel, and heparin ointment are applied.
Mesotherapy for stretch marks can be performed using hardware. This is a non-injection method; medicinal substances are delivered to problem areas using ultrasound or compressed oxygen. The hardware technique does not injure the skin and does not leave swelling or bruises. This method of introducing meso-cocktails is usually used to treat stretch marks over a large area.
For 10 days after a mesotherapy session, it is necessary to exclude exposure to high temperatures and ultraviolet radiation on the skin. During this period, you should not visit the sauna and bathhouse, go to the solarium, or sunbathe on the beach. Clothing should cover the treated areas and provide free air exchange. You should also avoid physical activity and massage of the treated area.
Types of mesotherapy
The effectiveness of mesotherapy may depend not only on the meso cocktail selected by the master or the skill of performing the procedure. It is also important to consider the type of technique you are undergoing.
There are three main types of mesotherapy:
- Manual. The method is used to treat individual problem areas, since the drug is administered pointwise using a syringe.
- Hardware. Despite the fact that the method is considered quite painful, it ensures uniform distribution of the drug in the skin structure, which allows you to cover large areas.
- Non-injection. An improved type of mesotherapy in which the composition penetrates the skin due to the effects of electromagnetic or laser energy.
To eliminate stretch marks, hardware techniques are most often used, but if there are 1-2 small problem areas, any other technique can be used.
If you perform the procedure at home, use a mesoscooter for stretch marks. It is a small unit with a roller attachment containing many thin needles. They gradually pierce the skin and facilitate the administration of the drug.
Photos before and after mesotherapy for stretch marks
In the photo you can clearly see how effectively mesotherapy copes with stretch marks. Many of them are eliminated forever, and the largest bumps are smoothed out and become less noticeable.
However, keep in mind that this result can be achieved only after completing a full course of mesotherapy, consisting of 5-15 sessions.
How it works
Attention! The choice of the appropriate method of hardware intervention in each specific case is made only by the doctor after personally seeing the patient, collecting anamnesis and diagnosing.
- Non-ablative laser resurfacing using Fraxel or ResurFX M22. These devices have a more gentle effect compared to ablative systems. Typically, non-ablative lasers are used to resurface fresh stretch marks or in areas with delicate, sensitive skin. The laser creates many microzones on the skin, between which islands of undamaged tissue remain. In response to the impact, cells are regenerated and new collagen is formed. So, after each session, the effect will be more and more noticeable: stretch marks will become lighter, the skin will become more even, smooth, and elastic.
- Ablative laser resurfacing using the AcuPulse device. As a rule, it is prescribed for deep or old stretch marks. The laser is ablative, so a crust forms after the procedure. In addition, after an ablative laser there is a rehabilitation period and certain home care requirements.
