Stretch marks

Stretch marks, medically referred to as ‘striae’, are long, indented marks that can appear on the skin following rapid stretching of the skin. They may appear during periods or rapid growth, weight changes or pregnancy. Stretch marks typically appear as purple, red lines or streaks across the skin and can be initially slightly raised; once established, they are usually depressed from the level of the surrounding skin and may lose their florid colour and look pale. They most commonly occur on the hips, buttocks and abdomen, although can occur anywhere on the body.

Although they are not harmful, stretch marks can become problematic as some individuals may feel particularly self-conscious about them and this can have an effect on their self-esteem and confidence. Occasionally stretch marks can be associated with some itching symptoms in the early stages but are typically not painful. If you are troubled by your stretch marks and wish to seek treatment to reduce their appearance, there are a number of good treatment options available to make stretch marks appear less prominent.

Mr Ioannis Goutos is a top London-based plastic surgeon with extensive experience in managing a number of conditions, in particular burns, scars and body contouring. His wealth of knowledge and expertise means that he is well placed to provide thorough assessments and advice for individuals with cosmetic goals. He is a skilled surgeon and is able to provide a number of surgical and non-surgical treatment options, including gold standard aftercare and follow up.

Book your consultation today

Book now

About this condition

The skin contains special connective tissue fibres, such as collagen and elastin, which help to give it strength and flexibility. However, when the skin is submitted to prolonged stretching, this causes increased tension across the skin and alters the structure of tissues. This change causes areas of thinning within the skin structure resulting in stretch marks. Although there is no actual break to the skin, stretch marks can be thought of as a type of atrophic (i.e. depressed) scarring.

Stretch marks typically appear following periods of rapid expansion of the skin such as:

Extreme weight gain or rapid weight loss
Pregnancy
Significant growth spurts, most commonly during puberty
Rapid growth in muscle mass, such as in body building or extreme weight training

Stretch marks are also seen in those with conditions such as Cushing’s disease, where there are excess steroid hormones produced in the body. They are also a known side effect of taking long term steroid-based medications. Individuals with connective tissue disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Marfans syndrome, are also more likely to develop stretch marks.

For those who are bothered by stretch marks, there are a number of treatment options which aim to reduce the appearance of the marks and make the skin appear smoother. These may include needling and laser or light based treatments to stimulate an increase collagen production in the skin. This aims to make the marks appear more level and rejuvenated. If the stretch marks are associated with areas of loose or saggy skin (such as under the arm, inner thigh, lower abdomen or buttocks), then a surgical body contouring procedure may be appropriate to improve the appearance of the overlying skin.

It is crucial to discuss your treatment goals with an experienced clinician to ensure that you have a treatment plan that is the best for you and your skin.

Testimonials

Mr Goutos is delighted to share some of his patient and peer feedback on their experiences of his services.

Louise Steel

2023-08-16

Mr Goutos performed keloidectomy surgery on both my earlobes, and I am so grateful to have been referred to him. From the first consultation, through surgery, and now my 3-month follow-up, I have nothing but good words to say.

Luke Ward

2023-07-10

This man is an extremely intelligent, professional gentleman. He will set realistic expectations from the beginning and will not ‘beat around the bush’ so-to speak. From the initial consultation to post-surgery, it has been a rollercoaster ride. However the high level of expertise & professionalism Mr Goutos maintained has been impeccable. All I can say to any other individual considering treatment with Mr Goutos, is that you are in incredibly safe hands. And on top of this, he has a great sense of humour. I wish nothing but the best for this man, and the best results for his future patients.

Mauricio Lucas

2023-07-06

Outstanding Doctor - Exceptional Expertise I recently had the pleasure of consulting and also going through surgery. Dr. Goutos removed a large class of keloids from my back and chest, and without a doubt, I can confidently say that he is the best doctor I have ever had the privilege of seeing. From the moment I entered his practice, I was immediately struck by his professionalism, knowledge, and exceptional bedside manner. Dr. Goutos possesses an extraordinary level of expertise in his field, and his technical skills are truly remarkable. His ability to diagnose and treat medical conditions is unparalleled, and I have personally witnessed his remarkable success in improving the health and well-being of countless patients. What sets Dr. Goutos apart is his genuine care and concern for his patients. He takes the time to listen attentively, ensuring that he understands every aspect of the medical issue at hand. He communicates clearly and effectively, explaining complex medical concepts in a way that is easy to comprehend, which greatly helps in alleviating any concerns or fears. One aspect that impressed me greatly was Dr. Goutos' commitment to staying updated with the latest advancements in his field. He incorporates cutting-edge techniques and treatments into his practice, ensuring that his patients receive the highest standard of care available. This dedication to continuous learning and improvement is a testament to his unwavering dedication to his profession. Additionally, the support staff at Dr.Goutos' practice deserves recognition for their exceptional service. They are friendly, compassionate, and highly efficient, ensuring that appointments run smoothly and patients feel comfortable throughout the entire process. Overall, I cannot emphasize enough how fortunate I feel to have found Dr.Goutos' exceptional skills, genuine care, and unwavering commitment to his patients make him a truly outstanding specialist. I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone seeking top-notch medical care.

Kashmala Khan

2023-01-26

Mr. Goutos and his team did an amazing job reversing a scar I had on my forehead. This was a very old scar and had bothered for many years. The laser treatment and fat transfer procedure has changed my life and given me so much confidence. I would definitely recommend him, he is a fantastic and very skilled surgeon. Thank you so much!

Javier

2023-01-14

Mr Goutos and his team removed some lipomas from my arms. The initial consultation right through to the aftercare was professional, sensitive and genuine. Mr Goutos put me at ease right from the start, discussing my history and background and then discussing the various options for the incisions and sutures. The incisions were quick, efficient and professional. I felt completely at ease knowing I was in expert hands. The incisions were extremely neat and have closed and scared really well. I had a number of questions after the operation and one of the sutures became infected. Mr Goutos was quick to make an appointment for me, see me and deal with the infection and offered for me to see him again if the infection didn’t calm down. He was genuinely empathetic to my needs and took time to check each scare, explain things and assure me along the way. He didn’t at any point, make me feel I was asking silly questions or too many. I highly recommend Mr Goutos for his exceptional incisions and suturing as well as his professional conduct, caring approach and after care. The whole experience was smooth and easy and I am very grateful for what he has done for me.

Ieva Lihovida-Yarlett

2022-12-07

We came to see Dr Goutos a few month ago to remove invasive spider nevus on my 9 year old sons nose . After a lovely consultation with Dr Goutos , he suggested to do several laser treatment sessions. After a few sessions we already noticed a massive improvement. On the final laser treatment session the spider nevus was completely gone. Thank you to the Dr Goutos for tackling the problem so rapidly and with great results!

Amy Munson

2022-10-27

We took our 4yr old daughter to Mr Goutos following an accident which resulted in a small burn scar on her cheek. Mr Goutos gave us various options and we went for laser treatment. After 4 appointments the scar has gone! The care that Mr Goutos gave us was exceptional and so good with children. He made us feel very comfortable and confident in his ability. I would recommend him to anyone if they were looking for a doctor in that particular field. Can't thank him enough.