Scar vs Stretch Mark? Here’s How to Tell—And Treat It

Have you ever noticed a faint line or textured patch on your skin and wondered whether it’s a scar or a stretch mark? You’re not alone—this is a common question we hear at Medix Skincare & Laser Clinic in Melbourne.

The good news is both scars and stretch marks are treatable. Understanding the difference is the first step to choosing the right treatment and restoring your skin’s smooth, even appearance.

 

How Do Scars Form?

Scars form as part of the skin’s natural healing process after an injury, surgery, acne, or inflammation. When the deeper layers of skin (the dermis) are damaged, your body produces collagen to repair the area. If too much or too little collagen is produced, it can lead to visible scarring.

Factors like skin type, the depth of the wound, genetics, and how well the area heals can all influence how a scar forms and looks over time.

Types of Scars

Understanding the type of scar is important for choosing the most effective treatment. Common types include:

Atrophic Scars

• These appear sunken or indented and are often caused by acne or chickenpox.
• Subtypes include ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars.

Hypertrophic Scars

• Raised and thickened, but stay within the boundary of the original wound.
• Often result from burns, cuts, or surgery.

Keloid Scars

• Similar to hypertrophic scars, but they grow beyond the wound site.
• More common in darker skin tones and can be itchy or painful.

Scars can vary in colour, texture, and thickness, but one thing is consistent: they represent a repaired area of skin.

How Do Stretch Marks Form?

Stretch marks, also known as striae, form when the skin stretches beyond its natural limit, causing the collagen and elastin fibres to tear. As the skin heals, these tiny tears leave behind narrow, streak-like marks that can appear red, purple, or white—depending on your skin type and how long they’ve been present.

Common Causes of Stretch Marks

• Rapid Growth: Often seen during puberty when the body develops quickly.
• Pregnancy: As the belly and breasts expand, the skin stretches beyond its limit.
• Weight Changes: Gaining or losing weight too fast can overstretch the skin.
• Bodybuilding: Rapid muscle growth can lead to stretch marks, especially on the shoulders and arms.

• Genetics: if your parents had stretch marks, you’re more likely to develop them too.

Why the Difference Matters

Although stretch marks are classified as atrophic scars, they differ significantly from typical scars caused by acne, wounds, or injuries. This is because their underlying causes, the skin layers involved, and the healing processes are not the same.

Knowing whether you’re dealing with a scar or a stretch mark is essential, as each requires a tailored treatment approach. At Medix Skincare & Laser Clinic, we personalise every treatment plan to match your unique skin type, concerns, and goals—helping you achieve the best possible results for smoother, healthier skin.

 

Scars and stretch marks treatment in Melbourne

Best Treatments for Scars and Stretch Marks 

At Medix Skincare & Laser Clinic, we offer advanced, customised treatments to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks, helping you achieve smoother, healthier-looking skin. Whether your concerns stem from acne, injury, surgery, or rapid changes in body size, we tailor every treatment plan to suit your skin’s condition, type, and personal goals.

Radiofrequency Skin Needling (RF Microneedling)

RF microneedling combines traditional microneedling with radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the deeper layers of the skin. Microneedles create controlled micro-injuries, while the heat from RF energy tightens the underlying tissue. This process triggers natural skin repair, resulting in smoother texture and firmer skin.

How it helps:
RF microneedling is highly effective for treating atrophic acne scars and stretch marks. It improves skin texture, reduces indentation, and enhances firmness by supporting deep tissue remodelling. With continued treatments, you can expect visible softening of scars and fading of stretch marks.

Laser Skin Rejuvenation

Our non-invasive laser technology targets discolouration, redness, and pigmentation linked to scars and stretch marks. It also stimulates collagen renewal and improves overall skin clarity.

How it helps:
Laser rejuvenation helps break down excess pigment, even out skin tone, and improve skin smoothness. It’s particularly effective for reducing redness or dark spots associated with scars and stretch marks. Over time, this results in a more even, radiant appearance.

Personalised Treatment Plans

Because every scar and stretch mark is different, your treatment plan will be uniquely tailored. The type of scar—whether it’s atrophic, hypertrophic, or post-surgical—as well as your skin type and how long you’ve had the scar or stretch mark, will determine the most effective approach. The number of sessions required and whether we combine treatments (like RF microneedling and laser therapy) will vary from person to person.

What to Expect: Your Scar & Stretch Mark Treatment Journey

At Medix Skincare & Laser Clinic in Bentleigh, Melbourne, your journey begins with a personalised consultation. We take the time to assess your skin and understand your goals, ensuring that your treatment plan is tailored to the type, depth, and location of your scars or stretch marks.

Depending on your skin’s needs, the number of sessions and treatment combinations may vary. Some clients benefit most from a course of RF microneedling, while others see the best results with a customised combination of advanced laser treatments and targeted topical actives. Your experienced dermal clinician will guide you through each step, supporting you throughout your journey toward smoother, more refined skin.

Most treatments involve minimal downtime. You may experience mild redness or sensitivity, which typically settles within a few hours to a couple of days. During your consultation, we’ll also walk you through all preparation and aftercare instructions to ensure you’re informed, comfortable, and confident.

Results build gradually with each session as your skin’s natural collagen production is stimulated. Many of our clients begin to notice visible improvements—including firmer texture and more even skin tone—after just three sessions.

✨ Ready to begin your transformation? Book your consultation today, and let’s create a plan that works for your skin.

Medix Skincare & Laser Clinic 1/367A Centre Road, Bentleigh, Melbourne
📞 Call us: (03) 9686 0003 

At Medix Clinic, we offer a comprehensive range of skin and cosmetic treatments tailored to your needs. Our services include acne scarring in Melbourne, scar treatment in Melbourne, and radio frequency microneedling in Melbourne to promote skin repair and regeneration. We also provide professional skin needling in Melbourne, advanced skin tightening in Melbourne, and effective skin tag and mole removal in Melbourne. For pigmentation issues, we offer targeted pigmentation removal in Melbourne, and to restore your skin’s glow, we specialise in skin rejuvenation in Melbourne. Additionally, you can enhance your smile with our safe and effective LED teeth whitening in Melbourne