How to Treat Stretch Marks

From the Show: HER
Summary: Find out where stretch marks come from and how to make them look better.
Air Date: 6/30/16
Duration: 10
Host: Michelle King Robson and Pam Peeke, MD
Guest Bio: Doris Day, MD
Dr. Doris DayDoris Day, M.D., is a board certified dermatologist who specializes in laser, cosmetic and surgical dermatology in New York City. Dr. Day is affiliated with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and is a Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at the New York University Langone Medical Centers. She has won awards for her work in laser research, teaching and for promoting the field of dermatology.

Dr. Day regularly lectures at national and international medical and aesthetic conferences, and teaches other physicians the art and techniques of soft tissue fillers, laser treatments and facial rejuvenation. She is a member of countless national and international organizations including the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, The American Academy of Dermatology, Women’s Dermatologic Society, NY State Dermatology Society, and New York Facial Plastic Surgery Society. She is also an inductee into the American Honors Society of Dental and Facial Aesthetics and has served on the medical advisory boards and training panels for Allergan, Valeant, Galderma, Merz, among others.

Dr. Day is author of two books, Forget the Facelift: Turn Back the Clock with Dr. Day’s Revolutionary Four-Step Program for Ageless Skin, and 100 Questions and Answers About Acne.  She has completed a clinical monograph titled Understanding Hyperpigmentation and maintains her role as a freelance journalist for several medical and scientific publications and outlets including as famed host for her award-winning show on Doctor Radio on SiriusXM 8.

Dr. Day earned an English degree from Columbia University, completed her Masters in Journalism and Science Writing at New York University and her M.D. at Downstate Medical School in New York. She completed her residency in Dermatology at Cornell University College of Medicine with the title of Chief Resident.
  • Book Title: Forget the Facelift: Turn Back the Clock with Dr. Day’s Revolutionary Four-Step Program for Ageless Skin
  • Guest Twitter Account: @DrDorisDay
How to Treat Stretch Marks
Growth spurts, weight gain and pregnancy are common causes of stretch marks. Every woman has them. Some stretch marks are more obvious than others.

Sadly, you can't prevent or control stretch marks. The skin stretches faster than new skin can grow. You don't always notice them until you lose weight.

The best you can do is to improve the stretch mark and make it look a bit better. Try a cream with retinol, caffeine, vitamin C or niacinamide. Firming creams may help. Don't open up vitamin E capsules and try rubbing the oil on your stretch mark. Instead, find a cream with vitamin E that is meant for skin application.

Red stretch marks are new. White stretch marks are older. Don't try to tan to make them go away. Tanning breaks down the collagen in your body and makes the contrast between the stretch mark and surrounding skin worse.

Listen in as Dr. Doris Day shares how to treat your stretch marks.