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Stretch Marks Treatment

Stretch marks are a common occurrence that many people feel they just have to live with. However, new technology has made it possible to effectively reduce the appearance of stretch marks and improve the appearance of your skin.

What are Stretch Marks?

Appearing as streaks of red or purple that often turn white in color, stretch marks (striae) typically occur when the skin is stretched during weight gain, growth spurts, or pregnancy. The skin condition can also be caused by medications such as steroids or hormones. Stretch marks appear when tiny tears in the supporting layers of skin result from excessive stretching of the dermis (the middle layer of skin). Dilation of the blood vessels form the discolored stretch marks, often turning white in appearance and making the skin area look scarred.

Stretch marks commonly occur during pregnancy, and a large portion of adolescent females and males experience them during growth spurts, and/or as the result of body-altering sports such as weight-lifting. The use of dangerous drugs such as steroids can also contribute to stretch marks.

While there are many treatments available that purport to effectively treat stretch marks, no topical remedies have been medically proven to improve the condition. There has been some success in surgical procedures such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), as well as skin rejuvenation treatments like dermabrasion and chemical peels; however, significant results have been attained with laser skin resurfacing procedures.

Results

Fraxel Laser Treatment for Stretch Marks

Medical Director Dr. Jeffrey Hunt and Nurse Practitioner Kristen Walsh have effectively reduced the appearance of stretch marks for many women using our Fraxel SR1500 Laser. Fraxel deeply penetrates the epidermis and dermis using a half-million laser spots that visibly reduce the appearance of stubborn stretch marks. The procedure often involves multiple treatments usually performed every four to six weeks. Fraxel also builds collagen and helps the overall texture of the treated areas. Fraxel is a non-ablative laser, and it does not change skin color.  Unlike some traditional CO2 lasers, it is safe for darker skin tones.

Treatment Areas

Areas of the body that can be treated for stretch marks include:

How it Works

During Fraxel laser treatment, a handpiece is guided across the skin emitting laser energy that penetrates the outer skin layers. Collagen beneath the skin is stimulated and encouraged to grow, thereby rejuvenating the skin. The laser also works to seal broken blood vessels and repair middle-skin fibers with the aim of providing a smoother appearance and reduction in visible stretch marks. The treatment typically lasts under 30 minutes, and there is no downtime after the procedure.

Depending on the extent of stretch marks and the areas being treated, the most optimal results for stretch mark removal with Fraxel laser treatment can be obtained with a series of three to six treatments.

Please contact the Vein & Cosmetic Center of Tampa Bay to schedule a consultation for treatment of stretch marks.