Stretch marks are a form of skin scarring that are associated with puberty, obesity, weight gain and pregnancy. These marks will form when the dermis is stretched more than it’s able to tolerate. Connective fibers in the skin will eventually break which results in the disruption of collagen production, causing scaring. This type of scarring may be treatable through laser treatment. Laser treatment for stretch marks can be an effective way of minimizing their appearance; however this treatment will rarely be able to remove stretch marks entirely.
Laser Treatment for Stretch Marks: How Stretch Marks Occur
The most common type of people who seek this treatment are women who have recently had a baby. Pregnancy and stretch marks go hand in hand. Almost four out of five women will develop this type of scarring after giving birth. Women will usually experience belly stretch marks, but other areas can also be affected, such as the breasts, thighs and buttocks. Other candidates for laser therapy treatment include individuals who have lost more than twenty pounds and bodybuilders who have developed a large amount of muscle tissue.
Women and men are both susceptible to stretch marks, especially on the abs, lower back and thighs. Puberty will cause growth spurts, which often result in stretch marks because the skin is unable to keep up with the body’s growth rate. Bodybuilding will involve the quick development of muscle and can stretch skin beyond its limits, causing tiny tears. Long term or heavy use of corticosteroids can also lead to the formation of stretch marks.
During laser treatment for stretch marks, a beam of light will remove layers of skin around the affected area. Typically, a dermatologist will use an excimer laser, which is considered the most effective for laser therapy. The excimer laser will not cut or burn the affected skin like other types of lasers; instead it will use a high energy ultra violet light that disrupts the molecular bond in the skin tissue. This will cause the tissue to disintegrate. Once the session is over the skin will heal quickly and new healthy layers of skin will form.
What to Expect After Laser Therapy Treatment for Stretch Marks
After treatment, the affected area will be tender and red. This is due to the removal of layers of scarred skin and the growth of new skin. On occasion, blistering and other types of symptoms can be present, but this will only be temporary. Most patients will heal within two to three days.
Laser removal for stretch marks is very effective in most cases. As with any type of treatment for stretch marks, success will depend on the age and extent of the scarring. Most patients will require eight to ten sessions in order to experience noticeable results. In more serious cases, laser therapy will only minimize the appearance of stretch marks and will be unable to remove them entirely.