What causes stretch marks?
The causes that lead to the appearance of stretch marks are many and can be divided into two main categories: conditions in which skin elasticity is reduced—such as during steroid use, hormonal disorders, or due to heredity—and conditions in which the tension applied to the skin increases suddenly and disproportionately. Such situations include rapid height increase, as often occurs during puberty; sudden weight gain, as in obesity; rapid enlargement of the abdomen or breasts, as during pregnancy; and rapid increase in muscle mass, as seen in athletes.

What symptoms do stretch marks have?
In the early stages, stretch marks appear as red or purple streaks, while in later stages, once the scar has matured, they acquire a whitish color similar to the surrounding skin. The most common areas where stretch marks appear are the abdomen, waist, breasts, thighs, buttocks, and arms, and they are usually symmetrical.

How are they treated?
Treatment of stretch marks aims at gradually improving their appearance so that the lesions become as inconspicuous as possible, rather than eliminating them, since they are scars and cannot completely disappear.

The treatments used aim to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the stretch mark area so that their appearance approaches that of normal skin.

The most important laser devices for treating stretch marks are Fractional CO2 Laser and Fraxel. When stretch marks are red or purple, Pulsed-Dye Laser (V-Beam) may also be used to reduce discoloration.

How many sessions are needed?
The number of treatments required depends on the extent of the problem and usually ranges from 6 to 12 sessions at intervals of 4–6 weeks, until the desired result is achieved.