- skin health
Your Guide to Safe & Effective Stretch Mark Treatment in Thames Ditton
Medically reviewed by Dr Theodora Bravi
Founder & Specialist Prosthodontist
- Last updated August 2026
In 30 seconds…
Stretch marks are narrow, scar-like lines that appear when the skin has been stretched quickly, often during pregnancy, growth spurts or weight changes. At Thames Dental & Skin in Thames Ditton, Surrey, Dr Bravis offers advanced radio-frequency microneedling and skin-quality treatments to help soften the appearance of stretch marks and support smoother, more even-looking skin.
Table of Contents
Common concerns with stretch marks
You may notice:
- Fine or wider lines on the tummy, hips, thighs, buttocks, breasts or upper arms that start red, purple or darker and fade to paler, silvery marks over time.
- Slightly indented or different-textured skin where the marks sit compared to the surrounding area.
- Feeling self-conscious in swimwear, underwear or fitted clothing because of visible lines.
Stretch marks are extremely common in both women and men and can appear at any age from the teenage years onwards. Even though they are a normal part of skin change, many people would prefer them to be less noticeable.
What causes stretch marks?
Key contributors include:
- Rapid stretching of the skin during pregnancy, puberty growth spurts or significant weight gain.
- Rapid muscle gain or bodybuilding in some areas.
- Genetics and skin type, which influence how easily the deeper skin layers tear.
- Hormonal factors such as increased cortisol, which can weaken skin fibres and make stretch marks more likely.
When the skin stretches faster than it can adapt, tiny tears form in the deeper dermis and heal as scar-like lines called striae. These lines are harmless but can vary in colour, width and depth.
Are stretch marks serious?
Stretch marks are medically harmless, but they can:
- Affect body confidence, particularly around the tummy, thighs, hips, buttocks and breasts.
- Make the skin look uneven in certain lights or photos.
- Feel at odds with the amount of care you take with your health, pregnancy recovery or fitness.
They rarely disappear completely, but non-surgical treatments can safely reduce how visible they are and improve skin texture.
When to see a specialist at Thames Dental & Skin
You may benefit from a consultation if:
- You have stretch marks after pregnancy, weight change or growth spurts and would like them to be less noticeable.
- You feel limited in what you wear because of visible marks on your tummy, thighs, buttocks or breasts.
- You want to explore non-surgical options to improve stretch mark texture and colour with minimal downtime.
You can book a skin consultation online in Thames Ditton or contact us to speak to our reception team about the most suitable appointment.
How stretch marks are assessed
At your appointment, Dr Bravis will:
- Take a detailed history of your skin concerns, triggers, previous treatments and skincare.
- Explore relevant digestive, hormonal, energy and lifestyle patterns alongside your skin presentation.
- Discuss whether skin DNA testing, gut microbiome analysis, hormone testing or broader functional and genetic health tests would be helpful.
This whole-person approach helps identify which internal factors are most likely contributing to your skin picture and which tests are genuinely useful.
Stretch mark treatment options in Thames Ditton
Treatment is personalised and may include:
- Profound RF Microneedling for the body – combines radio-frequency energy with microneedling to stimulate collagen and elastin in the deeper skin.
- Helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks and tightens surrounding skin on areas such as the tummy, thighs, buttocks and arms.
- Profhilo Body (for suitable cases) – a high-concentration hyaluronic acid injectable designed to improve overall skin quality and laxity.
- Can support hydration, firmness and texture in areas with stretch marks where the skin also feels crepey or loose.
- Personalised medical-grade skincare via GetHarley – for some patients, targeted body skincare, including ingredients that support collagen and barrier repair, may be recommended to complement in-clinic treatments.
Treatment plans are tailored to your skin type, area of concern and tolerance for downtime, with realistic expectations discussed at your consultation.
Discover our Skin Health Programme
A personalised pathway to clearer, healthier skin, combining professional LED therapy and chemical peels with expert guidance at every stage.
- A personalised plan built around your skin
- Professional LED therapy and chemical peels
- Expert guidance from consultation through to long-term results
Looking after areas prone to stretch marks at home
Good daily care helps support your results and overall skin health:
- Keeping the skin well-hydrated with gentle, nourishing body products.
- Using SPF on exposed body areas to minimise further colour contrast and sun damage.
- Supporting stable weight, gradual training changes and healthy lifestyle habits.
You will receive tailored advice after treatment on how best to care for areas affected by stretch marks.
Why choose Thames Dental & Skin for stretch mark treatment in Thames Ditton?
Thames Dental & Skin offers advanced, non-surgical options for stretch marks, focusing on safe, natural-looking improvement in texture and visibility. Dr Bravis uses Profound RF Microneedling and, where appropriate, Profhilo Body and medical-grade skincare to create personalised plans for smoother, more confident skin.
From the clinic on Portsmouth Road in Thames Ditton (KT7 0XX), patients visit from across Surrey to address stretch marks and related body skin concerns. You can book a skin consultation online or contact us to speak to our friendly team about the most appropriate treatment pathway.
Your expert: Dr Theodora Bravi
Dr Theodora Bravi is founder and clinical lead at Thames Dental & Skin. Trained at Guy’s and King’s College Hospitals, with a background in Harley Street and over 25 years practising in Thames Ditton, she combines restorative and cosmetic dentistry with facial aesthetics, skin health and functional health diagnostics.
Key takeaways
Stretch marks are extremely common and can develop when the skin stretches quickly during pregnancy, puberty, weight changes or muscle growth. Although they are harmless, many people choose to reduce their appearance and improve the texture of the affected skin.
The key things to remember about stretch marks are:
- Stretch marks are a type of scar, caused by changes in the deeper layers of the skin when it stretches faster than the skin can adapt.
- They can develop for many reasons, including pregnancy, growth spurts, significant weight changes, muscle gain, genetics and hormonal factors.
- Stretch marks are harmless but may affect body confidence, particularly when they appear on areas such as the tummy, thighs, hips, buttocks, breasts or upper arms.
- They usually cannot be removed completely, but professional treatments can make them less noticeable and improve the surrounding skin texture.
- Treatment should be personalised, based on the colour, depth and location of the stretch marks, as well as your skin type and treatment goals.
- Profound RF Microneedling can help improve stretch marks, using radio-frequency energy and microneedling to stimulate collagen and elastin in the deeper skin.
- Profhilo Body and medical-grade skincare may complement treatment in suitable cases, particularly where the surrounding skin is loose, crepey or lacking hydration.
- Results develop gradually, with some improvement potentially visible within weeks and further changes occurring over several months as collagen production increases.
At Thames Dental & Skin in Thames Ditton, stretch mark treatment is tailored to your individual skin and goals. A consultation can help determine whether Profound RF Microneedling, Profhilo Body, medical-grade skincare or a combination of approaches is most appropriate for improving the appearance and texture of your skin.
Related insights from Thames
FAQs
Stretch marks cannot usually be removed completely, as they are a type of scar. However, treatments like RF microneedling can significantly reduce their appearance and improve skin texture.
Advanced treatments such as Profound RF microneedling are highly effective for stimulating collagen and elastin, helping to smooth and soften stretch marks. Your treatment will be tailored during consultation.
Most treatments are well tolerated. A numbing cream is typically applied before procedures like RF microneedling to keep you comfortable throughout the session.
This depends on the depth, colour and location of your stretch marks. Some patients see improvement after one session, but a course of treatments may be recommended for best results.
Initial improvements may be visible within a few weeks, with continued improvement over several months as collagen production increases.
Yes, when performed by a qualified professional, treatments such as RF microneedling and skin boosters are safe and clinically proven to improve skin quality.
There may be mild redness, swelling or sensitivity for a few days after treatment, depending on the area and intensity of the procedure.
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