Ocean Clinic is proud to present a brand new treatment for stretch marks, developed in-house by Dr Gabriela Casabona.
The treatment is a combination of procedures that Dr Casabona has been trialling, and it has been getting great results for our patients. It combines Venus Viva with Dermapen 4, two non-invasive, pain-free treatments.
Understanding stretch marks
Stretch marks develop when the body grows rapidly and the skin is stretched - this often happens during puberty and pregnancy (other causes include weight gain and bodybuilding).
Rapid stretching causes the connective tissues and fibres of the dermis (the middle layer of the skin) to become thin and overstretched. In some places, they may break, allowing deeper layers of skin to show through. This is why stretch marks can appear red or purple in colour.
As we age, skin becomes less able to stretch and snap back into shape due to decreased collagen levels. Collagen is a protein that functions to hold or bind skin cells together and which serves to keep skin supple. When less collagen is available in the skin, it becomes more likely to develop stretch marks or wrinkles.
How does our new stretch mark treatment work?
Our new stretch mark treatment works by combining two procedures that boost the production of collagen. They do this by causing micro-injuries beneath the surface of the skin and triggering the body’s natural healing response.
Venus Viva is a skin resurfacing treatment that uses nanofractional radiofrequency to heat the cells deep in the dermis. This stimulates collagen production and encourages the skin to repair itself. As the skin regains elasticity and tightens, stretch marks become smoothed out.
Delivering up to 700 pulses of energy, the device is very powerful but still gentle enough to be used on even the most delicate areas of the face and body. It is often used to treat facial wrinkles but has also been shown to have a significant benefit on stretch marks (referred to medically as striae).
A published clinical study showed that four weeks after treatment with Venus Viva, total surface area, length, and width of stretch marks significantly decreased and patient satisfaction for overall improvement was 96.97%.
The effect of Venus Viva is enhanced with Dermapen, the only microneedling device with a dedicated setting for stretch mark scars. The pen uses 12 tiny needles to create microscopic punctures to the inner and outer layers of skin. This results in a regeneration of the collagen and other elastic fibres.
The “channels” created by the derma pen also allow for the delivery of nutrient-rich serums deep into the skin. Topical creams can provide real benefit when they’re able to penetrate beneath the skin’s surface. We use a vitamin C serum, which is well known for boosting collagen production.
Who is a good candidate for this treatment?
Our new stretch mark treatment can be used on all skin types. It’s beneficial for all types of stretch marks but the best results are seen on more recent stretch marks. Stretch marks that are still red or purple and haven’t faded away to a silvery colour respond very well.
It means that the treatment is ideal for people who have seen recent changes to their bodies, such as women who have suffered stretch marks to their tummies following pregnancy. Stretch marks affect around 8 out of 10 pregnant women and can give the tummy a stripy, scarred appearance.
The results you’ll see from the treatment will depend on the size and depth of your stretch marks. Stretch marks that are wider than 0.5 cms will not respond as well as smaller ones.
Treatment of larger stretch marks
If your stretch marks are very extensive, an alternative treatment protocol can be used, which combines Ultherapy, Radiesse and Dermapen 4. Ultherapy is an ultrasound treatment used to stimulate collagen and elastin. It does this by heating the layers beneath the skin and creating thermal microtrauma - this leads to a reformation of elastic fibres
To fill the gap created by the stretch marks and give the skin a smoother surface, Radiesse, an injectable filler, is used. The filler is diluted (mixed with saline and lidocaine to thin it out) and injected superficially. As well as adding volume and helping to disguise the colour of stretch marks, it acts as a bio-stimulating agent, triggering the production of collagen and elastin.
Dermapen 4 enhances the effectiveness of the other two treatments. After each session, the skin continues to regenerate leading to long term improvements in tone, texture and elasticity.
How many sessions are required?
The treatment requires three sessions of each procedure (six sessions in total). The procedures have to be alternated, so one week you’ll have Venus Viva and the next week you’ll have Dermapen 4. You’ll visit the clinic once a week until the treatment course is complete.
Each session will take around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated. There is no downtime needed so you can get straight back to your normal activities afterwards.
Following each session, you’re likely to have some redness and roughness for 2-4 days, which you may want to keep in mind when you’re planning outfits. It’s also important to avoid any sun exposure to the treated area.
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