Laser Treatment for Stretch Marks

The idea that a doctor could simply make someone’s stretch marks disappear using laser therapy is a very exciting idea. Everyone wants to be able to get rid of those bright red scars that are often located in the most delicate areas. Unfortunately, there is no simple solution to the problem of stretch marks and while some treatments like laser therapy are wholeheartedly advocated by doctors, not everyone is convinced that they work. However, there is some evidence that laser therapy may be able to offer some relief in the appearance and color of stretch marks.

Stretch marks happen in the second layer of the skin called the dermis. The dermis lies between the skin’s surface and another layer below it. Although many ointments and lotions claim to be able to relieve stretch marks, most over the counter products cannot penetrate the skin below the epidermis, or the first layer of skin and so they cannot reach the area that is most affected by stretching. Stretch marks occur when the skin must stretch quickly. Whether you are growing, gaining weight or muscle or you quickly put on pregnancy weight, your skin needs to stretch to be able to cover your growing body. This stretching is what causes stretch marks. Sometimes, people grow so quickly that the proteins in the skin like elastin or collagen are not able to keep up and therefore the dermis tears a bit so that the skin can keep growing. There are several types of laser treatments available on the market. One of these is the pulsed dye laser, which attempts to stimulate elastin and collagen production in the dermis layer of skin. This would seem to suggest that the torn parts of the dermis would be filled in again. This treatment works better for newer stretch marks that are bright red rather than older stretch marks. The procedure is not painless and may cause some discomfort as the laser is targeting a deeper layer of skin. You may require several sessions to see results and there may be side effects like bleeding or bruising from the procedure.

A second type of laser treatment is available from an exciser laser. An exciser laser works differently from a pulsed dye laser as it attempts to change the color of stretch marks by inducing a higher production of melanin which regulates skin color.

This kind of therapy will require at least 10 treatment sessions with a laser and even if the desired results are achieved, maintenance treatments will still be required to maintain the color of the scars. One treatment session every two or three months may be required to for the upkeep of the color however the scar itself will not disappear so you will still be able to feel the break in the skin.

These treatments are often expensive and some treatments cost $350 and over for a single treatment. $350 can add up quickly when 10 or more treatments are required and support from a medical insurance fund is not likely as the procedure is mostly cosmetic. This can be very expensive especially as the procedures offer no guarantees to their effectiveness. With the amount of money that would be spent on laser therapy, it may be just as effective to consider a tummy tuck procedure. A tummy tuck procedure is one of the only real ways to consider getting rid of stretch marks permanently however it requires an operation that does have complications and it can cost around $8,000. During a tummy tuck procedure, a surgeon will remove excess skin from the abdominal or tummy area. Many women who have pregnancy stretch marks find that they are located here. This surgery works because it not only surgically removes the skin but it also works to tone and tighten the muscles in the abdominal area which provides a more aesthetically pleasing appearance for some.