What should you know about loose skin stretch marks?

Loose skin describes reduced firmness or extra folds after the skin has been stretched or lost support. Stretch marks are lines formed within the skin during periods of rapid stretching, such as growth, pregnancy or weight change. They may begin coloured and gradually become paler, but they do not mean the skin is unsafe. Treating lines will not necessarily tighten a fold, and tightening lax skin will not erase every mark.

Use moisturiser for comfort and protect the area from sun, which can make colour differences more noticeable. Do not pick or aggressively scrub the marks. If the lines or laxity bother you, a dermatologist can assess their age, colour, depth and your skin tone before discussing Carboxytherapy, Microneedling, Fractional Laser Treatment or RF Microneedling. These procedures may improve texture or contrast, but results vary and more than one visit may be considered. Tell the clinician about pregnancy, breastfeeding, active rashes, poor healing or medicines that affect the skin.

Arrange a review if marks appear suddenly without an obvious stretching event, cover a large new area, itch intensely, bruise easily or occur with other body changes. Seek prompt care for painful warmth, pus, fever, open skin or a rapidly changing lesion. A clinician should assess any mark that looks unlike the others or changes in a new way.

Are these typical stretch marks or another skin condition? Which concern should be treated first: colour, texture or laxity? How might my skin tone affect the plan? What aftercare and sun precautions are needed?