A stretch mark is a type of scar that develops when your skin stretches or shrinks within a short period of time. The abrupt change causes the collagen and elastin, which support our skin, to rupture. As the skin heals, stretch marks may appear. Stretch Marks generally occur during growth spurts that happen in puberty, during pregnancy, rapid weight loss or gain, rapid muscle growth due to weight training.
There are two types of stretch marks- the ‘rubra’ or the red stretch mark and the ‘alba’ or the white stretch mark. At The Skin Clinic, we treat the latter (alba) with the Lumenis M22 laser device. The red marks (rubra) are treated with the IPL and Nd: YAG lasers.
Treatment Plan for Laser Stretch Mark Removal:
Be it weight loss stretch marks or pregnancy stretch mark removal, to treat stretch marks, we use a laser called the Lumenis ResurFX. It is the latest in non-ablative, fractional laser technology to improve stretch marks and more. Non-ablative means that is does not destroy the skin cells, while fractional means it is only affecting a small portion of the skin. It remodels the skin and makes the stretch marks less obvious and blend with the surrounding skin. This is the best treatment for stretch marks you will get great results with minimal recovery time. This treatment has a downtime of 1 day and is spread across 2-3 sessions, 2 months apart.
A home routine of a bland moisturiser containing Vitamin E and dimethicone is essential. Total elimination of stretch marks is not possible. However, the stretch marks become less visible and start to blend and merge with the surrounding normal skin.
FAQ's About Stretch Marks
What can I do about stretch marks?
There are several treatment options for stretch marks. If you are serious about dealing with unwanted stretch marks, it is best to be in the care of a surgeon or dermatologist who can recommend your best options. If you go to a surgeon or dermatologist, he or she will take a detailed medical history, including medications you are taking. Some medications can cause stretch marks, and it is very important to be open and honest with your doctor. Those medications include hormones and steroids.
What helps stretch marks go away?
There are a number of methods for stretch marks removal l. If this is really a serious problem for you, consult a dermatologist before choosing a treatment method.
Here are some treatment options that are backed up by research and actually have the potential to improve the appearance of stretch marks: Laser treatment, Peeling.