Laser Stretch Mark Removal

Laser stretch mark removal is a procedure where a laser device is used to get rid of stretch marks. However, studies show that although laser treatments are effective, it is only effective in improving the appearance of stretch marks, and not completely removing them.

Laser devices that are used to get rid of stretch marks, so to speak, use laser light technology. When the laser device is applied to your skin, it will make miniscule injuries similar to the size of your hair shaft, and leaves your untreated, normal skin in between applications. Your untreated skin will be very helpful for a faster healing process, and will replace the treated area with new skin, thus improving the appearance of stretch marks.

White Stretch Marks

Fractional laser treatment is one of the latest and most sought after stretch mark treatments available today. According to dermatologists, white more textured stretch marks respond best to this type of laser treatment. Multiple sessions of are generally required to improve the appearance of white stretch marks.

With this treatmen, downtime and results are reportedly faster. However, there is a chance that a patient may not respond well to the treatment. It also poses an increased risk of hyperpigmentation especially for patients with darker skin colors. Likewise, note that the whiter the stretch marks, the more laser sessions are required.

Red or Darker Stretch Marks

For red stretch marks or dark stretch marks that are more often than not more swollen than white stretch marks, laser removal can also help in improving skin texture and reducing the inflammation and redness of the skin. As with fractional laser treatment, interventions used for these types of stretch marks are effective in stimulating collagen production and elastin remodeling to improve the appearance of stretch marks.

How It Works

The first step in the laser stretch mark removal process is cleaning the area to be treated with a potent medical cleanser. After the area has been thoroughly cleaned of oil and dirt found on your skin’s external layer, the laser device will be applied on your skin. No needles are utilized in laser treatments, but some patients may find the procedure slightly painful and even describe the sensation from undergoing the treatment as being poked by tiny needles. This will however be highly dependent on the patient’s pain threshold.

Cost of Procedure

Although laser stretch mark removal is one of the most effective ways to reduce or get rid of stretch marks, it is also very expensive. The cost of laser treatment will highly depend on the physician performing the procedure and on where you reside. Ballpark figures of laser stretch mark removal range from $200 to $800 per session; reportedly, celebrity physicians can charge as high as $1500 per session.

Does Laser Stretch Mark Removal Work?

Stretch mark treatments are effective in that they can efficiently and significantly stimulate collagen production, and even with really expensive laser treatments, stretch marks cannot be removed permanently. There is however some evidence that stretch marks in their early stages, respond best to laser treatment while flesh-colored or faded stretch marks will respond less, or may not respond at all to laser treatment.

Laser stretch mark treatments are generally considered safe, but it does have some side effects that can include burning, brown discoloration, swelling and red skin, or cold sore flare-ups. This is because overexposure to laser may result in damaged skin tissues.

Alternative to Laser Stretch Mark Removal

For those looking for more affordable, more easily accessible, safer, and natural, yet equally effective stretch mark removal treatment, reduction creams is the way to go. This is because stretch mark creams give the same benefits that you can get from laser removal; minus the expensive price tag.

More importantly, when talking about stretch marks, prevention is the key, and striae removal creams are not only developed for prevention, but also for reducing stretch marks as well. A host of stretch mark removal creams with various ingredients and prices are available so it is vital that you purchase one that is suitable to the type of stretch mark that you have and creams that are made up of high quality ingredients.

In general, tried and tested stretch mark creams contain potent ingredients capable of repairing your collagen matrix in order for your skin to produce more collagen, and improve the appearance of stretch marks. Likewise, you should choose natural products with healing and moisturizing ingredients such as cocoa butter, aloe vera, shea butter, and other oils.