Stratamark, by Stratpharma, Proudly Supporting Australian Pharmacies

Stretch marks, or Striae Distensae, as it is known by the medical profession is a well-recognised skin condition and is considered to be a type of thin, flattened abnormal scar. The prevalence of stretch marks has been reported to be as high as 88% in pregnant women, 86% in adolescents and 43% in overweight and obese people (Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27-51)1.

Stretch marks are most commonly the result of pregnancy, growth spurts, rapid weight gain or weight loss, breast augmentation and abdominoplasty (’tummy-tuck’).

Stretch marks can cause physical symptoms to the sufferer, such as itchiness, tenderness and pain. Due to the visual appearance, it can also significantly affect one’s self esteem.

Striae Gravidarum describes stretch marks that occur due to pregnancy. During pregnancy, the prevalence of stretchmarks is between 60% and 70%2. That correlates to more than 180,000 Australian women each year3.

Stratamark was developed by Swiss based dermatological company, Stratpharma, for the treatment and prevention of all types of stretch marks.

Unlike cosmetic and moisturising products commonly available on the market which claim to treat stretch marks, Stratamark is a medical device and is clinically proven to prevent and treat stretch marks4.

2017 marks the year of a new national Stratamark advertising campaign. With a focused target market of mums-to-be, new mums and mothers of children, Stratamark is about to launch its first digital and social media advertising campaign, with the aim of driving customers into pharmacies to purchase. Talk to your local Stratpharma Sales Representative for more information.

This year Stratpharma has also been, and will continue to be in regular attendance of the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expos and the Essential Baby and Toddler Shows in all capital cities nationwide. With a reputation for high attendance to these events, this allows another avenue for customers to be educated on how to best prevent and treat stretch marks.

It is also important that pharmacists have the opportunity to further their knowledge on stretch marks, so they can provide their customers with the best advice on how to treat this common skin conditions. Stratamark has partnered with the Australian College of Pharmacists to develop an accredited training module on stretch marks.

The module is titled “Stretch marks: Identification and Treatment” and was written by Dr Brett Macfarlane, Education and Research Manager at the Australian College of Pharmacy. Dr Macfarlane also completed his PhD where his areas of interest included the physiological and biochemical aspects of dermal membranes and the formulation of dermal products.

This accredited training is now available online at acp.edu.au, and is free to all pharmacists to view and complete, even those pharmacists who are not college members.

RRP: Stratamark 20g tube $49.95, 50g tube $99.95.

Stockist inquiries: 1800 567 007. Visit stratamark.net.

References:
1. Al-Himdani S et al. Striae distensae: a comprehensive review and evidence-based evaluation of prophylaxis and treatment. Br J Dermatol. 2014 Mar;170(3):527-47.
2. Osman H, Rubeiz N, Tamim H, Nassar AH. Risk factors for the development of striae gravidarum. Am J Obstet Gynecol.2007 Jan;196(1):62.e1-5.
3. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3301.0
4. Malkova S. New EU Magazine of Medicine, July 2014, 1-4/2014