Conditions - Stretch Marks

Stretch marks in genetically susceptible individuals are usually the result of rapid growth or weight gain in a certain areas in the body. This could be due to rapid weight gain, pregnancy, puberty, or rapid increase in muscle mass. Stretch marks are usually red early on and take on a whitish color as they mature. Over the counter and prescription creams are not effective for treatment of stretch marks as they do not penetrate deep enough on the skin to address the pathology.

The pulse dye laser (V-Beam laser) is an effective modality in the treatment of fresh and red stretch marks. A new resurfacing procedure, named fractional resurfacing or Fraxel affords a new solution for the treatment of stretch marks. This laser resurfaces the skin gradually, 20-30% at a time, which allows for rapid healing while eliminating the risk of rawness associated with traditional laser resurfacing procedures. This laser procedure is extremely safe to be used on any body surface area.

Patients typically will need 4-5 treatments with this laser procedure for the treatment of stretch marks. Patients can expect improvement in the quality and texture of their stretch marks. However it is important to note that you can not fully eradicate stretch marks with any currently available modalities. Fractional resurfacing is performed under local numbing after application of a numbing cream for one hour.

 

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