Stretch marks, as the name suggest; appears when the skin is over stretched. These marks can also appear when the body loses its ability to stretch (use of certain steroids). Both the conditions affect the skin elasticity. As a result, white, red (turn pale over a period of time) or purple streaks appear on the buttocks, armpits, stomach, thighs and chest.

Many factors influence the appearance of stretch marks, also known as striae distensae
1. Elevated levels of cortisone hormone (produced by the adrenal gland) play a pivotal role in the appearance of stretch marks.

2. Stretch marks are common during pregnancy. As the foetus grows in size, the skin tends to stretch more and more. This stretching provides sufficient space to the developing foetus. A hormonal imbalance can also mark the appearance of stretch marks during this period. In some, the stretch marks appear after pregnancy.

3. Stretch marks are sure to appear when a person experiences a sudden change in the body weight (weight gain or loss). These marks can also be seen in children who are in their growing phase (teenagers).

4. Use of corticosteroids (steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex) can leave your body with the unwanted stretch marks. It is advisable to use corticosteroids (pills or cream) under medical supervision.

5. Stretch marks may be an outcome of some genetic disorders such as ehlers-danlos syndrome and marfan's syndrome. Striae distensae can appear in people with cushing's syndrome (the adrenal gland produces the hormone, glucocorticoids in excess)

Stretch marks often affect person's confidence. Most people find stretch marks extremely annoying and embarrassing. They try every possible trick under the sun to camouflage and get rid of the unwanted marks. The stretch marks are generally harmless and can be treated.

1. Drink plenty of water. It is important to keep the skin hydrated. Bio oils, vitamin e enriched oils, certain creams, can effectively fades the appearance of stretch marks. Use of moisturisers containing cocoa butter and shea butter will speed up the fading process.

2. Loss or breakdown of collagen protein (fibrous protein) can result in stretch marks. For stretch marks that are not very old, tretinoin cream comes across as a huge relief. Application of tretinoin cream helps in the restoration of collagen protein. For pregnant women, it is best to avoid this cream.

3. In case the stretch marks are a little older, a person can go for microdermabrasion.

4. Another great technique is the pulsed dye laser therapy. This therapy works by enhancing the growth of elastin and collagen protein.

All the preventive measures and treatments can help to fade the stretch marks. However, none can guarantee complete disappearance of the marks.

Stretch Marks - Causes and Prevention Tips

This is a cosmetic surgery procedure, which involves reshaping and reconstruction of breasts. This is mainly done by people who think they have saggy, small, or unshapely breasts. This surgery helps a woman attain firmness in and around her breasts; it makes her feel more confident. According to a study conducted by Plastic surgeons, the number of breast lift surgeries has increased by 70% since 2000. A woman might be prompted to undergo a surgery of this kind under societal or peer pressure; it could also be solely driven by her ambition to look perfect. 

Breasts may lose their elasticity, firmness and fullness due to a variety of reasons. The reasons and effects in turn make women more self-conscious; so they go in for Breast Lift procedures.

Breasts can sag due to:

Pregnancy
Breast-feeding
Gravity
Heredity
Aging
Weight fluctuations
Complications after the surgery

The chances of getting any complication after a breast lift surgery are usually rare. But some complications which might occur are; profuse bleeding after the surgery which is similar to hematoma. Infection may occur due to the use of dirty equipments during the surgery or due to being placed in an unhygienic environment. And lastly scarring can also be seen. If you work out regularly, it is advisable to quit lifting heavy weights for at least four to six weeks after the surgery.

When should you consider a breast lift surgery?

When your nipples seem to be pointed downwards and are sagging- With age the skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag. This makes the nipples sag as well. So a breast lift surgery will make your breasts look like the way they used to in your youth.
If your nipple or areola lay below the crease of your breast- If you think that your nipples are placed below your breast crease, take a sheet of paper and slide it below your breast, if the paper stays, you will need a breast lift surgery.
If your breasts are not symmetrical to each other- some women have breasts which don t look identical and look unusual and drooping. This can generally be a birth abnormality also.
Getting a breast lift done is similar to reversing the clock for sagging. Your breast is like any other part of your body and with old age it sags. So it is better to consider a breast lift surgery if you want your breasts to look firm and taut again.

Breast Lift Surgery - Things You Must Consider Before You Go For It!

Cancer can be very devastating, it can tear families apart. The cancer virus generally kills all the healthy cells in your body and starts to destroy your organs one by one. When a person is affected by breast cancer, their breasts have to be removed so that the cancer virus doesn t affect the rest of the body. In the society which we live in we are fed with the notion that breasts are an integral part of a woman s body and only voluptuous breasts make a woman look more attractive. Survivors who have won the fight against breast cancer have had to surgically remove their breasts for survival. 

They are left with an empty spot in their body as well as their lives. So, in such cases breast reconstructive surgery becomes extremely important. Breast reconstruction surgery implants a mound in place of the actual breast. So that it looks like an actual breast with the nipples and the areola.

How to get ready for a breast reconstruction surgery?
1. You should quit smoking if you are a regular smoker.
2. Avoid certain vitamins or supplements as prescribed by your doctor before the surgery.
3. Take someone with you to stay back during and after the procedure for moral support and to assist you with your stay in a hospital.

Possible complications:
1. Infection can occur after the surgery.
2. Hematoma or pooling of blood.
3. The implants can also break through the skin.
4. The implants can rupture and the silicon or saline can leak from the breast tissues.
5. Hard scar tissues can form around the implant.
6. It might not be enough for a woman who has had larger breasts.
7. Implants don t last life-long. It needs to be replaced after a point of time.
8. Radiation therapy might damage the implants.
9. It can leave a scar from the region where the extra tissue was taken for constructing the breast.

Methods of breast reconstruction surgery:
1. Tissue expander
2. Flap reconstruction
3. Abdominal flaps
4. Mold-assisted reconstruction
5. Direct to implant procedure

Breast Reconstruction - How You Can Prepare Yourself?

4 plastic surgery alternatives for burns and wounds

The branch of plastic surgery that is generally used for the treatment of burns and other wounds is known as reconstructive plastic surgery. There are numerous surgical methods that fall under this category, which is effectively used to treat these injuries and the related issues that they cause. 

What are medical issues caused by burns and wounds?

Some of the most frequently occurring issues that stem from burns and similar wounds are as follows:

- restriction of mobility

- aesthetic disfigurement and scarring

- loss of sensation in the affected area

The different issues are caused by varying kinds of burns and injuries and, hence, each case must be approached in a different manner for remedy.

Different kinds of plastic surgeries that are used for treatment

Depending on the nature of the injury, your plastic surgeon may opt for any of the following surgical methods for treating the problem.

1. Skin grafting

In this procedure, skin is removed from one part of the body and transplanted to the affected area. This method is used for the treatment of burns. There are two types of this surgical procedure - one removes a few layers from the dermis of the donor area (split-thickness graft) while the other removes the entire dermis (full-thickness graft). Recovery time depends on the kind of procedure used. Skin grafting is occasionally used for breast and nose reconstruction as well.

2. Microsurgery

This type of surgery makes the use of a microscope in reconstructive procedures for working on minuscule veins, arteries, and nerves for repairing damaged areas. Microsurgery is often used alongside other surgical procedures for re-attaching body parts, relieving paralysis of the face and in the reconstruction of breasts.

3. Tissue expansion

This method is used to induce the growth of extra skin on the body that can be used for reconstructive purposes. This is done by inserting a balloon expander underneath the skin that slowly gets filled with saline solution and makes the skin swell. This excess skin is then used for correction or reconstruction of the affected area.

4. Free flap procedure

This procedure involves the transfer of skin, bone, muscle and blood supply from the donor area to the damaged area for repairing purposes. Microsurgery is often performed alongside this treatment method, which is used most frequently for breast reconstruction or after the removal of cancer from the neck or head.

If you would like to consult with me privately, please click on 'consult'.
Related Tip: 6 Quick and Handy Remedies To Treat Burns

4 Surgical Alternatives for Burns and Wounds

Corns and calluses are defined as thickened and hardened areas of the skin, which are formed due to excess pressure, friction or rubbing in a particular area. They generally form at the bottom of the feet and can cause discomfort and pain while walking. Corns usually form on the sides and tops of toes. There are several variants of corn such as hard corn, soft corn and seed corns. Calluses typically form in areas which undergo high friction. It can appear on hands and feet. Read on to find more about corns and calluses.

Causes
1. In some cases, corns or calluses may form due to improper walking motion but in most cases corns and calluses form due to wearing shoes which fit in an improper manner.
2. High heels in particular are a major reason for the formation of corns and calluses. Other reasons include foot deformities or wearing shoes and sandals without socks.
3. Corns and calluses have a risk of being infected by bacteria which causes the infected region to secrete pus or fluid.

Symptoms
There are different types of corns and calluses and each of them have different symptoms during their formation.
1. A callus is a small patch of dead skin which can form anywhere in the body but usually in places which undergo friction.
2. A hard corn is a patch of hard skin which is located outside the little toe or on top of a toe.
3. A soft corn is a sensitive red patch of skin which is typically found between toes.
4. A seed corn is a painful patch of dead skin which typically forms on the ball of the foot or on the heel.

Treatment
If you have developed a corn or a callus it is advisable to consult a doctor as they can correctly differentiate between warts and calluses. Use of moleskin around the corn or callus usually reduces the pressure from the affected region. Oral antibiotic medication can also be prescribed by your physician. Certain moisturising creams also help treating corns and calluses. Opt for stronger moisturising creams after consulting your doctor if regular ones are not helping. In certain instances corns and calluses may need to be surgically removed.

All About Corns and Calluses

 Hives , also known as urticaria, is the outbreak of pale red, swollen bumps on the body. It can occur on any part of the body including the face, back, arms or legs. It is a type of hypersensitivity reaction in which the cause for the reaction is idiopathic (unknown). Also, it can come in various shapes and sizes. Hives can be associated with redness, itching, and a burning and stinging sensation. These can last for more than a minute or even more than that; up to days.

What causes hives?
Most of the times, hives are idiopathic, i.e. the reason that causes this type of hypersensitivity reaction is unknown. The bumps are caused by the action of histamine that makes the plasma in the blood leak out of the small blood vessels. Histamine is a substance that is released from a specialized cell and is what causes allergic responses in general. There are three types of hives- namely, acute, chronic urticaria and physical urticaria. Acute urticaria is when the hives last for less than six weeks. Chronic urticaria occurs when the hives last for more than six weeks. 

Physical urticaria refers to the condition when the hives are triggered due to causes such as heat, cold, sun exposure, sweating, pressure and exercise. Although, this condition is mainly idiopathic, there are common causes that may trigger this condition such as:

Foods such as nuts, fish, chocolates, milk and milk products
Environmental triggers such as pollen grains, dust etc
Medications such as ibuprofen or paracetamol
Insect bites
Latex
Blood transfusion
Bacterial infections including strep throat and urinary tract infection
Pet dander
Plants such as poison oak or poison ivy
What are the symptoms of urticaria?
Hives are usually self-diagnosable. The various symptoms of urticaria are:

Swollen red bumps known as weals
The red bumps can occur suddenly and subside all of a sudden as well
 Blanching which is characterized by the whitening of the swollen red part.
They occur on any part of the body and can change shapes, and sizes. It can become larger or it can reduce in size; it can also move around in the body.

Hives - Most Common 9 Reasons Behind It!

Don't wait any longer, manage your Thighplasty (Thigh Lift) online with a Lybrate doctor today

Consult for Thighplasty (Thigh Lift) - Online and Easy!

FilterClear All

COMMON SPECIALITIES

COMMON ISSUES