What should you know about Paula's Choice and stretch marks?

Stretch marks, also called striae, form when skin stretches or changes volume and supporting fibres in the dermis are altered. They may begin pink, red, purple, or darker than surrounding skin before becoming lighter or silvery. They can occur on the abdomen, hips, thighs, breasts, buttocks, upper arms, or back. Their colour, texture, age, skin tone, pregnancy history, growth, muscle gain, and medication history all affect how they look and which treatment is sensible.

Use a gentle cleanser and moisturiser to reduce dryness and friction, but avoid rubbing or promising yourself that a lotion will erase the marks. If the marks are new, rapidly appearing, unusually wide, or accompanied by other body changes, arrange a medical review. For established marks, a dermatologist may discuss Microneedling, Fractional Laser Treatment, RF Microneedling, or Carboxytherapy. These options differ in heat, needle depth, downtime, pigment risk, and suitability for pregnancy or certain skin conditions.

Seek an assessment if stretch marks appear suddenly without an obvious change in body size, cover broad areas, or develop while using steroid medicines. Prompt review is also sensible when the skin becomes painful, ulcerated, infected, or very fragile. Cosmetic treatment should wait until a clinician has considered the cause and your current health.

Ask which treatment matches the marks' age, colour, location, and your skin tone. Discuss the number of sessions, expected recovery, pigment changes, infection prevention, pregnancy considerations, and whether your medicines or history affect eligibility.