What Causes Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks form when the skin stretches beyond its natural capacity, causing microscopic tearing in the dermis (the middle layer of skin).
As the skin repairs itself, collagen and elastin are laid down in a disorganized pattern, creating:
- Red or purple streaks (new stretch marks)
- White or silver lines (mature stretch marks)
- Indented or slightly raised texture
- Thinner skin in the affected area
Because stretch marks are a type of scar, topical creams alone rarely provide meaningful improvement.
Treating stretch marks effectively requires stimulating new collagen deeper within the skin.
Treating Red and Purple Stretch Marks
Newer stretch marks often have visible redness due to active blood vessels within the scar tissue.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
IPL helps reduce the red or purple coloration by targeting hemoglobin in visible blood vessels. Over a series of treatments, this can significantly soften discoloration and help stretch marks blend more naturally with surrounding skin.
ADVATx® Laser
ADVATx dual-wavelength laser therapy is another option for vascular stretch marks. It helps calm redness while also supporting collagen remodeling within the treated area.
These treatments involve minimal downtime and are ideal for early-stage stretch marks.
Treating Texture and Indentation
Improving the physical texture of stretch marks requires stimulating collagen remodeling within the dermis.
SkinPen® Microneedling
SkinPen is an FDA-cleared microneedling device that creates controlled microchannels in the skin, triggering your body’s natural collagen production.
For stretch marks, SkinPen helps:
- Improve skin thickness
- Smooth indented texture
- Increase collagen and elastin production
- Blend scar tissue with surrounding skin
Over a series of treatments, stretch marks often appear flatter, softer, and more refined.
Plasma Laser – Opus
For more advanced stretch marks with deeper textural irregularities, Opus Plasma may be recommended.
Opus combines fractional plasma energy with radiofrequency to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin while simultaneously stimulating collagen remodeling at deeper levels. This dual mechanism helps improve:
- Indented stretch marks
- Uneven texture
- Thinning skin in affected areas
- Overall skin firmness
Because Opus is fractional, surrounding tissue remains intact to support faster healing. Over a series of treatments, collagen production increases, helping stretch marks appear smoother, softer, and more blended with surrounding skin.
Your provider will determine which option is most appropriate during consultation.
Professional Skincare Support
While in-office treatments drive collagen remodeling, supportive skincare helps maintain results and improve overall skin quality.
We recommend medical-grade products from:
- Face Reality
- SkinBetter
- Alastin
- SkinMedica®
These lines support skin regeneration, improve texture, and enhance post-procedure recovery.
Your Personalized Treatment Plan
Stretch marks vary based on:
- Age of the mark
- Color
- Depth and width
- Location on the body
- Individual collagen response
During your consultation at Posh Medical in Reno, we evaluate these factors and design a customized treatment plan. Many patients benefit from combining color correction treatments (IPL or ADVATx) with collagen-stimulating treatments like SkinPen or Opus.
Most patients require a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart. Improvements develop gradually as collagen forms, with continued enhancement over several months.
