Purple Stretch Marks: What They Mean & How to Get Rid of Them

We’ve got them, you’ve got them, your friends have them. Who doesn’t have stretch marks? They might vary in color, location, and severity, but it’s incredibly normal to have stretch marks somewhere on your body. In nearly every case, they come from some fluctuation or change in the volume and weight of your body.

But why are your stretch marks a different color than someone else’s? Does anything actually get rid of stretch marks?

Let’s find out.

Depending on how elastic your skin is, the marks might appear more dramatic when it stretches out from weight gain, muscle gain, or pregnancy. Thin people can also still get stretch marks, although they typically come from a sudden growth spurt. These marks are the skin tearing as it’s having difficulty producing enough collagen to keep up with the expansion.

Even if you lose the weight that was to blame for those colorful stripes, it’s not likely that they will disappear. No matter how it happens, these marks appear because the collagen fibers and elastin within the middle layer of the skin (dermis) are breaking. They will fade with time, but also probably not go away. It’s important to remember that these aren’t just marks on the skin. They are scars that lack collagen. Losing weight won’t replace that collagen production.

Stretch marks are not harmful. They are also neither a sign of good nor bad health, especially because they happen for so many different reasons. Like other scars on the body, they shouldn’t be painful or harmful and will likely fade with time (but not disappear).

Not all stretch marks have the same appearance, and there is a reason behind each characteristic. With that being said, there are several areas along the body that you might find stretch marks, including:

• Breasts
• Belly
• Buttocks
• Hips
• Back
• Thighs
• Upper arms

Wherever they appear on your body, taking preventative measures and staying ahead of stretch marks will help tremendously. The older your stretch marks are, the less likely you are to be rid of them, especially on your own.

These are the earliest signs of stretch marks. This color is from injury to the elastic fibers with tissue inflammation. The epidermis is reducing in thickness, and the skin will soon start to fold up, or furrow, around the area.

When stretch marks are purple, there are still blood vessels within the surface layer of the skin (epidermis). That means they can still function to promote blood flow and collagen production, giving you a chance to revert the damage.

If you’ve got purple stretch marks, now is the time to start caring for them. The faster you respond and the more diligent you are with treatment, the more likely you will see optimal results.

Once they start turning a red color, stretch marks have reached the next stage in development. The skin is becoming thinner, and scar tissue is forming to heal the overstretching skin. Some people might have an itching sensation as the skin stretches.

At this stage, the marks resemble scars more than ever because no blood flow is circulating in that area. That means melanin will no longer produce where stretch marks are, which is why they never tan or burn. This is the most advanced form of stretch marks, and it’s common for the scars to sink deeper into the skin, making the texture uneven.

The best way to avoid stretch marks is to take preventative measures that keep your skin well-hydrated and maintain a body weight that doesn’t fluctuate too drastically. Of course, some stretch marks are from pregnancy or puberty and are much harder to control. Thankfully, there are ways that you can treat stretch marks.

DIY care for scars might not be entirely effective, but is worth a try. Some solutions may help nourish your skin, offering the hydration it needs to promote healing. These remedies can minimize the appearance of your stretch marks, but it’s important to remember that it might not work for everyone. Plus, the newer the marks are, the easier it is to control, so pick one or two options to stick to and see if anything helps.

The body naturally produces hyaluronic acid (HA) to heal the skin by promoting collagen production. Collagen is what helps give the skin elasticity to stretch as it grows. HA is also a powerful ingredient in many creams and serums, which makes it a popular choice for stretch mark care.

Of course, not all home remedies are going to work. If you’ve been trying creams and other potential cures to no avail, it might be time to go professional. Visiting a team of specialists might be the solution you need. For instance, at Blue Water Spa, our licensed and experienced professionals see all types of stretch marks and other skin conditions. We can help uncover your individual concerns and goals to create a customized plan for you. Most of these plans involve icoone because of how effective treatment is.

Many skin care products contain Vitamin A, also known as retinoids. These products are usually creams, some OTC, and others prescription (like tretinoin). Vitamin A helps smooth the skin, although it can be irritating, so it’s best to monitor your body’s response to treatment and follow the instructions. Do not try these products if you are pregnant, nursing, or trying to get pregnant.

This is a popular herb that can be found in Korean (K-beauty) cica creams, which help calm and repair sensitive skin. On the face, Centella is a useful solution for acne scars. On the body, it can help soothe irritated stretch marks.
A study involving 100 women showed that using a cream with Centella extract is associated with fewer women developing stretch marks, meaning this can also be a product to try to avoid their development in the first place.

Exfoliation methods are popular for stretch marks as they can help the scars fade. You can purchase sugar scrubs or combine sugar with almond/coconut oil to create a formula that you can gently rub over stretch marks. It will help to rub away dead skin to reveal fresh, smooth skin while promoting better circulation.

Treating the skin with icoone improves the appearance of stretch marks by promoting blood flow to areas with scarring. This non-invasive solution uses microstimulation, specifically MMAS (Multi Micro Alveolar Stimulation) along with LED 650 nm and laser 915 nm, to target areas below the skin’s surface.

The effects of microstimulation, up to 21,6000 microstimulations per minute, per session, on stretch marks help to relax tight muscles. The laser breaks down fat cells, reduces cellulite, and accelerates metabolism. The LED light increases blood flow to areas that need it, stimulating cell rebuilding by promoting collagen and elastin production, which are what give skin elasticity. Plus, it gets the lymphatic system moving, reducing inflammation and edema.

Overall, icoone helps nourish and oxygenate tissues for optimal results with no downtime. Of course, it’s crucial that you choose the right provider for your treatment. If you are in the Long Island area, Blue Water Spa is (as of right now) the first and only medical spa and clinic to offer icoone. And it’s our specialty! We would be happy to sit with you during a free consultation and discuss your questions and concerns.

You deserve to feel comfortable and confident in your body. If stretch marks make it harder to live your life how you want, it might be time to find a change. At Blue Water Spa, our team is happy to help you find the right solution for your body. Many of our patients have tried and love icoone because it reduces the signs of stretch marks and leaves skin looking and feeling younger. Our Oyster Bay clinic serves everyone in the Long Island area. Ready for a change? Get in touch today for an icoone stretch mark treatment!