Can stretch marks be removed or should you just embrace it and wear that bikini? A dermatologist explains

Summer has officially started with beach trips planned here and there. If you're still conscious about wearing a bikini due to stretch marks, it may be time to consider embracing them.

In an email interview with GMA News Online, board certified dermatologist Dr. Tanya Perez-Chua said "stretch marks are permanent."

"Striae, commonly known as stretch marks, are very common and usually develop between the ages of 5 and 50 years," Dr. Tanya said.

She said stretch marks commonly develop during puberty and during pregnancy which she said are "the times in our lives where there are sudden changes in our sizes."

Dr. Tanya said, "Stretch marks are actually scars since they form due to breaks in the connective tissue of our skin. "

Additionally, she said these breaks are what causes "the lines to appear depressed."

The only honest answer Dr. Tanya said she can give to those who ask if stretch marks can be removed is "we can only improve the appearance of these lines."

"Since the breaks are deep in the connective tissues, creams, oils, gels, lotions and all other things applied on the skin will not really penetrate the level of the skin that is affected," she added.

Despite this, Dr. Tanya said moisturizing creams "may improve the texture and discoloration of these stretch marks."

Sakura, sunblock, and niacinamide are your best friends

For instance, Dr. Tanya said she would always recommend her patients to use "mild soaps and cleansers only."

She said one of her go-to recommendations are products that have an active ingredient such as Sakura.

"Sakura is mild, moisturizing and non irritating. I tell them to avoid 'special soaps' with too many ingredients," Dr. Tanya said.

"Using too many ingredients will make the stretchmarks and the rest of your skin more prone to itch and irritation," she added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Tanya said for stretch marks that are exposed to the sun including upper arms and legs, applying a sunblock "is always beneficial."

"The sunblock will prevent further exaggeration of the skin color discrepancy between the stretch marks and their normal skin," she said.

"I recommend sunblocks that are of course non-sticky and with the proper UV protection," she added.

While stretch marks won't be removed completely, creams that improve the appearance and texture can help them become "so subtle that the stretch marks won’t be obvious anymore."

Dr. Tanya said improvement of these stretch marks "takes time" and if certain brands claim to provide instant results they should "be afraid."

She said an active ingredient that would be safe to use for stretch marks even for pregnant and breastfeeding is niacinamide.

"When applying niacinamide cream, apply it thinly on the affected areas. Applying a lot won’t make it more effective," she said.

In the absence of a proper consultation, Dr. Tanya said she would "recommend the combination of niacinamide, Sakura and sunblock for stretch marks."

Dr. Tanya said these three are readily available over the counter and are not expensive.

She also said that "the results of this combination among patients have been encouraging."

Food on skin: Good or bad?

If you're one to put calamansi or any other food products on your skin, Dr. Tanya said it should be avoided.

"An important advice also is to tell all the women out there to not put various food products on their skin," she said.

"I have seen so many patients who consulted me due to severe skin irritation after applying ginger, garlic, calamansi and even toothpaste on their skin in the hope of fixing their stretch marks," she added.

Treatments that help improve the appearance of stretch marks

Dr. Tanya said "lasers may also help."

"Red stretch marks improve well with pulsed dye laser. Stretch Marks that are very bumpy may also be lasered," she added. "However, these treatments require several sessions and are a bit expensive."

Dr. Tanya said she would also only recommend lasers for patients who are done with puberty and giving birth since this treatment does not prevent the appearance of new ones.

Meanwhile, Dr. Tanya said if stretch marks occur at a pace that is "faster than the usual," experts would have to look for other causes of its formation.

"Prolonged intake of hormones such as corticosteroids cause stretch marks. Even the cream forms of steroids when used wrongly cause stretch marks too," she said.

"Mechanical stress on areas and genetics also have a role in the development of stretch marks," she said.

In her years of experience, Dr. Tanya said she has "seen a lot of women with multiple kids who do not have stretch marks and upon interviewing them, they did not even do anything to 'avoid' these stretch marks."

The biggest misconception about stretch marks, according to Dr. Tanya, is that applying different products will prevent them from appearing.

"To avoid falling into these traps, consulting a board certified dermatologist will be very helpful," she said.

With professional help, Dr. Tanya said they will be able to "guide you on what to use and what to do to have a safe and realistic way of improving your stretch marks." 

The reality is stretch marks are here to stay and the good thing is there are celebrities to look up to who proudly celebrate their stripes including Andi Eigenmann, Iya Villania, and Sarah Lahbati, among others. —JAB, GMA News.