SCARS AND STRETCH MARKS
Scars – skin lesions that are most often a consequence of damage to the dermis and replacing it with fibrous connective tissue. Scars could be characterized as hypertrophic (keloid) when the amount of connective tissue is greater than the amount of tissue damaged by injury or atrophy.
Stretch marks
Stretch marks – spindle bands, most commonly located at the skin of the thighs, abdomen, buttocks, hands, breasts and back.
Stretch marks are caused by the following: hormonal factors, significant increase in body weight in a short period of time, pregnancy, genetic factors, disruption of connective tissue function and long-term intake of substances rich in corticoids. Stretch marks arise as a result of excessive skin stretching, or it’s weakening, as well as breaking the network of collagen and elastin fibers that form a skin structure. Stretch marks are not dangerous to health, however they constitute a serious aesthetic defect.
The development of spindle bands initiates the inflammatory phase, when the stretch marks become a dark red and later a blue in color. During the inflammatory phase, which lasts up to half a year there is a deformation of collagen fibers and dermis swelling. The next stage is the atrophy phase, during which the stretch marks fade and take form of a concave, wrinkled structure. During this phase there is a significant decrease in elastin and collagen, and the stretch marks take their final form
How does a shockwave work?
Acoustic (shock) waves affect the improvement of skin condition in three stages. Neovascularization consists in increasing the inflow of blood to a selected part of the body. As a result of the formation of new capillaries the metabolism improves and the supply of oxygen to the area is accelerated. The second stage consists of the remodeling of collagen, which leads to the formation of a thickened collagen band. The elimination is the third stage of acoustic wave action. At this stage the lymphatic vascular system is cleared, which results in faster tissue regeneration.