Strech marks: Relief possible by vitamin A
Stretch marks are formed under the influence of hormones by stretching and tearing the elastic fibres of the skin. The skin is particularly vulnerable to rapid breast growth, pregnancy or weight gain. The sudden appearance of red streaks on the breast can be frightening. Relief can be achieved by vitamin A treatment. More significant improvements are possible with needling treatments.
How is a needling treatment of the breast performed?
An anaesthetic cream is applied to the affected skin surface. You will then be given medication that will relieve your anxiety and reduce your sensitivity to pain. If you don’t sleep relaxed anyway, you may feel something happening on the surface of your body.
The areas are treated with the finest needles to stimulate the body’s own collagen production.
The outpatient procedure takes about 45 minutes. Immediately after the operation you will be continuously monitored in our recovery room. You will be able to take some liquid and, if you tolerate it well, some food after you have fully awakened. Subsequently, joint control appointments are arranged. The recommended behavioural measures are explained to them in detail. Before leaving the practice, you will also receive a comprehensive written report and be given a telephone number so that you can reach the surgeon 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency.
Before, after and even during the operation you can watch movies or your favourite series with virtual reality glasses. This is not only entertaining, the distraction also demonstrably leads to less sensitivity to pain.
How can you prepare for a needling treatment of the breast?
- All your questions about possible complications and alternative treatments should be answered before surgery.
- On the day of surgery, shower with a disinfectant soap (e.g. HiBiScrub® Plus, Octenisan® Wash Lotion, Prontoderm® Shower Gel).
- Keep nicotine and alcohol consumption to a minimum.
- If necessary, the intake of hormone-containing medication (the pill) should be temporarily discontinued.
- Blood-thinning medication (e.g. ASS, Thomapyrin®) must be discontinued at least ten days before the operation after consultation with your treating physician.
- Vitamin preparations (A, E) and dietary supplements (omega-3 fatty acids, St. John’s wort preparations, etc.) must be discontinued at least four weeks before the operation.
- Surgery limits the ability to travel by air. Therefore, do not plan any professional or private air travel during the four weeks following the operation.
- Before performing aesthetic surgery, you should take out follow-up insurance.
What do you need to keep in mind after a needling treatment of the breast?
- This is followed by regular checks of your well-being and the results of the operation.
- After the operation, the skin is kept moist with a bandage to prevent crust formation.
- Skin oil containing vitamin A, C and E should be applied three times a day during the first week, then twice a day.
- Take a shower with a disinfectant soap (e.g. HiBiScrub® Plus, Octenisan® Wash Lotion, Prontoderm® Shower Gel) from the first postoperative day.
- Swelling and redness of the skin can be expected in the first 7 days. After the 7 days you can usually go back to work.
- It is important not to cover the redness in the first week with make-up so that make-up particles do not lead to a so-called scar tattoo.
- Excessive UV radiation (sunbathing or solarium) should be avoided for at least two weeks. 3 months should be avoided.
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The author
“We provide you with extensive expert knowledge so that we can work with you to select the best possible treatment path.”
Dr. med. Stéphane steel is the former director of the Clinic for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery / Hand Surgery at the Lüdenscheid Clinic. Dr. Stahl studied medicine at the Universities of Freiburg and Berlin. In 2011 he passed the European and 2012 the German specialist examination for plastic and aesthetic surgery. Further specialist qualifications and additional qualifications followed (including quality management, medical didactics, physical therapy, emergency medicine, laser protection officers, hand surgery) as well as prizes and awards. In 2015 he completed his habilitation in plastic and aesthetic surgery in Tübingen. He is an experienced microsurgeon, a sought-after expert and a regular speaker at specialist congresses. After a multi-stage selection process, Stéphane Stahl became a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), one of the world’s largest and most influential specialist societies for aesthetic surgery. His authorship includes numerous articles in respected peer review journals and standard surgical textbooks.