Various methods of assessing the regenerative potential of dermal tissue in a patient may be determined and methods to determine the potential development of stretch marks in a patient are provided. Through the analysis of a series of dermal tissue samples, a method of monitoring the aging process of the dermal tissue of a patient is possible. Damaged or stretched marked skin may also be used in the development of various diagnostic therapies relating to the inducement of the extracellular matrix components of the skin due to the loss of elastic fibers generally found in stretch marked skin.