Stretch Mark Treatment London - Can PRP Help?
They appeared during pregnancy. Or puberty. Or when you gained weight, then lost it. Silver or red lines mapping changes your body went through.
Stretch marks are incredibly common. They affect up to 80% of women at some point. They are harmless. But "harmless" does not mean you have to like them.
If your stretch marks bother you, treatment options exist. PRP offers a natural approach to improving their appearance.
Understanding Stretch Marks
Stretch marks (striae) form when skin stretches faster than it can adapt. The dermis, your skin's middle layer, tears. Collagen and elastin fibres break. The result is visible scarring.
New stretch marks are often red or purple (striae rubra). Over time, they fade to silvery white (striae alba). The texture differs from surrounding skin, often feeling slightly indented.
Common causes include pregnancy (affecting the abdomen, breasts, hips), growth spurts during puberty, rapid weight gain or loss, muscle building and bodybuilding, and corticosteroid use.
Once formed, stretch marks do not disappear on their own. They fade but remain visible. This is because the dermis has been permanently altered.
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How PRP Improves Stretch Marks
PRP stimulates collagen production and tissue remodelling. For stretch marks, this means encouraging the damaged dermis to repair itself.
Growth factors delivered by PRP stimulate fibroblasts to produce new collagen, promote elastin formation improving skin elasticity, enhance blood supply to the treated area, and trigger the healing cascade that was incomplete when stretch marks formed.
Over multiple treatments, the dermal layer thickens. Stretch marks become less visible. Texture improves. Colour becomes more uniform with surrounding skin.
Results are gradual. You are stimulating your body to rebuild tissue. This takes time.
What to Expect From Treatment
PRP for stretch marks is typically combined with microneedling. The microneedles create controlled micro-injuries that amplify the healing response while allowing PRP to penetrate deeper.
Treatment is performed after applying topical numbing cream. The microneedling device passes over the affected area. PRP is applied and worked into the skin.
Redness and mild swelling last one to three days. Most people return to normal activities the next day.
A series of three to six treatments spaced four to six weeks apart typically produces best results. Improvement continues for months after treatment as collagen remodelling progresses.
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Realistic Expectations
No treatment completely erases stretch marks. They are scars. The goal is meaningful improvement, not perfection.
Most patients see 40 to 60% improvement in stretch mark appearance. They become less noticeable. Texture evens out. Colour blends better with surrounding skin.
New stretch marks (still red or purple) typically respond better than old silver ones. The tissue is still actively remodelling and responds more readily to treatment.
Older stretch marks can still improve but may need more treatments.
Comparing Treatment Options
Topical creams and oils may help prevent stretch marks or improve very new ones. They have limited effect on established marks because they cannot reach the dermis.
Laser treatments can improve stretch marks, particularly fractional lasers. They work by stimulating collagen through controlled thermal damage. Effective but more expensive with more significant downtime.
Chemical peels can improve surface appearance but do not address deeper dermal damage.
Microneedling alone helps but adding PRP enhances results significantly.
PRP with microneedling addresses stretch marks at the dermal level, stimulating actual tissue repair. Natural, relatively affordable, minimal downtime.
Treating Different Areas
Stretch marks on the abdomen are most common and respond well to treatment.
Breast stretch marks can be treated carefully.
Thigh and hip stretch marks often cover larger areas, potentially requiring more sessions.
Arm stretch marks from muscle building or weight fluctuation respond to treatment.
We assess your specific stretch marks and recommend a treatment plan for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many treatments will I need? Typically three to six sessions. Newer stretch marks may need fewer. Extensive or old marks may need more.
Is the treatment painful? Topical numbing makes it comfortable. Most describe mild discomfort during and tenderness afterward.
When will I see results? Initial improvement within weeks. Continued improvement over several months as collagen builds.
Can I treat stretch marks from pregnancy while breastfeeding? We typically recommend waiting until after breastfeeding. Discuss timing during consultation.
Will my stretch marks come back after treatment? Treatment improves existing marks permanently. New stretch marks could form with future weight changes or pregnancy.
Your body changed. Treatment helps you feel comfortable in it again.
