Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are partial thickness ‘tears’ in the skin from the inside and are essentially scars. As with all scars, they are red to purple in color early on, and they generally do fade to a more pale color with time. Although there is no way to guarantee that stretch marks will not occur with breast augmentation, you can try to adequately prepare the skin for the procedure in advance. To prepare your skin for the implant and to try to prevent stretch marks, the breast skin must be massaged twice a day with moisturizing agents. This is done for 2-4 weeks pre-operatively. Twice daily the breast skin is massaged with lotion and, if possible, oil containing Vitamin E and cocoa butter, plus lavender and/or other aromatherapy oils. There is an oil you can find at many stores that is made by Palmer's. It contains Vitamin E and cocoa butter. You can get lavender oil concentrate at GNC, or preferably from better sources such as Young’s Living. You will want to add a couple of drops of lavender oil to each application. Alternatively, you may add the lavender oil to the Palmer’s oil. Again massage therapy oils and other stretch mark treatment oils, (e.g., aromatherapy) may be satisfactory as well. Check with Dr. Mossie in advance of your procedure. Do NOT apply lotion or oil on your skin the day of your procedure.

This technique is also useful for preventing stretch marks from pregnancy, weight gain, muscle building and growth of body parts during puberty. Remember the skin preparation here is done in order to help PREVENT the formation of stretch marks. It is impossible to remove stretch marks once they are present. There are some treatments available for reducing the appearance stretch marks, (such as microdermabrasion), but none that will remove them. This approach must be started well before the condition that causes the stretch marks occurs. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

Raymond D. Mossie, M.D., F.A.C.S.
(Currently not in the country to take new patients)