Stretch Marks

Stretch marks, or striae, are a form of scarring that occurs when the skin stretches or contracts too quickly, causing the underlying collagen and elastin fibers to rupture. Over time, these marks may fade in color but often remain as visible texture irregularities on the skin. They can appear as pink, red, purple, or silvery streaks and commonly develop on the abdomen, thighs, hips, breasts, and upper arms.

At Kelowna Hills, our physician-led providers perform detailed assessments to determine the age, depth, and stage of your stretch marks. This allows us to tailor an effective, targeted plan to rebuild collagen, improve tone, and restore smoothness. Our approach treats:

• New (red or pink) stretch marks
  
• Mature (white or silver) stretch marks
  
• Texture irregularities and thinning skin
  
• Loss of elasticity and firmness in affected areas
  

Our advanced treatments strengthen the skin’s structure, fade discoloration, and promote healthier, more resilient tissue for visible, lasting improvement.

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Stretch marks form when the skin is stretched beyond its capacity, causing small tears in the dermal layer. This stretching disrupts collagen and elastin fibers, leading to visible scarring once the tissue heals. While genetics play a major role, hormonal changes and lifestyle factors can also contribute.

Common causes include:

• Rapid weight gain or loss
  
• Pregnancy and postpartum body changes
  
• Growth spurts during adolescence
  
• Hormonal imbalances or increased cortisol levels
  
• Use of corticosteroid creams or medications
  
• Genetic predisposition to weaker connective tissue
  

Because stretch marks are both structural and pigment-related, successful improvement requires medical-grade treatments that rebuild collagen and remodel the skin. At Kelowna Hills, our physician-led team designs a customized approach to target the root cause while improving tone and texture from within.

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As a physician-directed clinic, we combine the latest regenerative and collagen-inducing technologies to improve the texture, tone, and color of stretch marks. Each treatment plan begins with a professional consultation to determine the best combination of modalities for your skin type, location of marks, and overall goals.

Depending on your skin’s needs, your customized stretch mark treatment plan may include:

• Morpheus8 2.0 RF Microneedling to tighten skin, boost collagen, and smooth uneven texture
  
• SkinPen® Microneedling to stimulate new collagen and elastin in affected areas
  
• Exosome Therapy to enhance cellular regeneration and accelerate skin repair after microneedling
  
• Chemical Peels to gently exfoliate and improve pigmentation in stretch mark areas
  
• Medical-Grade Skincare with growth factors and retinoids to support long-term results
  

All treatments are performed or supervised by our physician-led team to ensure precision, safety, and progressive results that deliver visible skin renewal.

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Stretch mark repair is a gradual process that improves with consistency and proper care. At Kelowna Hills, we focus on long-term strategies to maintain your results and strengthen the skin’s structure for continued improvement. Our physician-led team provides a personalized maintenance plan to help preserve your progress and support collagen regeneration.

Our ongoing recommendations include:

• Staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet rich in vitamins C and E
  
• Using medical-grade skincare to support collagen and elastin production
  
• Applying sunscreen daily to prevent further pigmentation or damage
  
• Scheduling periodic maintenance treatments every few months
  
• Avoiding rapid weight fluctuations to minimize new stretch mark formation
  

With consistent care and professional guidance, the skin becomes smoother, stronger, and more resilient—helping fade the appearance of stretch marks over time.

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