Stretch marks, otherwise known as striaegravidarum, are one of the most common and well-known side effects of pregnancy. Stretch marks are scars that can form when collagen and elastin fibres tear. Although there has been a movement on social media, encouraging women to embrace their tiger stripes, the simple fact is that they make many women feel insecure.
Some women might be lucky enough to dodge them when they are expecting, but most of us will get them at some point - they are thought to affect 50% to 90% of women and they can occur during puberty, pregnancy or alongside significant weight gain or loss in a short period of time. These rapid bodily changes are accompanied by elevated levels of hormones called glucocorticoids which are produced by the adrenal glands. And, those hormones are what can cause the collagen and elastin fibres to tear when the skin is stretched.
Doctors have found that the elastic fibre network in the dermis gets disrupted in a stretch mark. So, after giving birth, this network remains disrupted. Elastic fibres give skin its elasticity and ability to “snap back,” after stretching. The skin tries to repair the disrupted elastic network but can't, which in turn results in not only the stretch mark but also the lax, loose skin seen in more mature stretch marks.
Although some mums swear by stretch mark oils and creams, many doctors agree that you can’t prevent marks. As well as this, previous research had not found a way to effectively repair the disrupted elastic fibres. However, one new treatment which only recently launched in the UK claims to effectively treat stretch marks and improve their appearance.
What is Biodermogenesi® from Fusion GT?
Biodermogenesi® claims to be the first solution against stretch marks with no pain, no downtime and a 95% success rate on all skin types. Biodermogenesi® is a non-invasive method for skin regeneration which enables the self-renewal of the tissues without damaging them. Biodermogenesi® also claims to limit the appearance of cellulite, burn scars, surgical scars, and works as an anti-ageing treatment.
How does Biodermogenesi® work?
Bringing a brand spanking new technology to the industry, Biodermogenesi® from Fusion GT relies on a powerful and unique combination of electromagnetic energy and vacuum technology to increase oxygenation, rebuild Type III collagen, recover toxins and completely restructure damaged cells within the skin to give visible results.
In other words, it claims to be the only treatment available to enable the self-renewal of the tissues, completely rewinding time without damaging the skin biologically; a vast difference between existing therapies like mesotherapy and laser which can damage the skin and also make stretch marks appear worse.
What can I expect from the treatment?
If you hadn't already gathered, the treatment is actually very complex and scientific. So, to get a full understanding of what to expect and the magical science behind it, check out this 2017 study in The Journal of Photomedicine and Laser Surgery.
The treatments were carried out with a special patented device called BiOne. It is equipped with a radiofrequency generator, an electric pulse generator, a vacuum pump and different heads can be attached. When we tested the treatment, it seemed to be made up of three pretty simple and quick steps:
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A 'peeling probe' is used to gently peel and exfoliate the skin to create the best skin surface for the treatment. (This also allows the products in Step 2 to be effectively delivered).
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A water gel containing Hyaluronic acid and plant extracts are applied to the skin.
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After changing the head of the machine to a suction pump (made up of a 'stimulating probe' and 'active probes'), the person performing the treatment will apply electric stimulation for 2 to 6 minutes as well as activation for 10 minutes. By using radio frequencies, they can stimulate lymphatic drainage. The lymph keeps your immune system up and running so improving the flow and drainage can improve skin texture, reduce water retention, boost weight loss and help fight off infection.
Does it hurt?
The simple answer - nope! During the first step, the peeling probe gently scrapes the skin and this can feel slightly uncomfortable but really, it is no different to good old exfoliation in the shower! The suction is an unusual sensation but it feels the same as passing a vacuum cleaner over your skin (don't ask why we know that!). The real benefit of this treatment is that is quick and totally painless.
How much does it cost and how long does it last?
Patients require six to nine treatments in order to achieve maximum results. Treatment costs vary between clinics but generally patients can expect to pay £2,200 per course of treatments and results are proven to last long term – with clinical studies showing that the improvement achieved remained stable even after more than five years after the end of treatment. Click here for more info.
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