Stretch Mark Removal Specialist

How do stretch marks develop?

Stretch marks, or striae distensae, are commonly associated with pregnancy, but they also develop from weight gain, during adolescent growth spurts, and in bodybuilders. They form when skin is progressively stretched, which forces the underlying connective tissue in the middle layer of skin to expand beyond its normal limit. This stress causes the connective tissue to break or tear, then as it heals, scars develop that are visible as stretch marks.

Anyone can develop stretch marks, but they’re more common in women simply because most women get them during pregnancy. It turns out that about 70% of adolescent females and 40% of adolescent males also have stretch marks. The appearance of stretch marks may improve over time, because their original reddish-purple color fades. But they never disappear, and they often have a significant impact on appearance.

How are stretch marks removed?

Stretch marks are still hard to remove, but treatment with lasers is one technique that’s known to work. When lasers are set at a controlled wavelength, they can reach below the skin to the damaged connective tissue. Heat from the laser helps break down scar tissue that forms the stretch mark, while stimulating the natural healing response. As a result, new collagen is produced that replaces the old scar tissue, diminishing or eliminating the stretch mark.

What should you expect during and after treatment?

One treatment usually lasts 30 minutes, but the length of time depends on the number of stretch marks being targeted. While the procedure is well tolerated, the doctors can apply a cooling cream to keep you comfortable. After the treatment, your skin may look and feel mildly sunburned, but the redness and slight stinging should subside within four to six hours. In patients with more sensitive skin, the treated area may be mildly swollen for a few days.

In spite of mild side effects, you should be able to get back to your normal schedule as soon as the treatment is finished. You may not see results for a few weeks because it takes time to grow collagen and rebuild new tissues, but before long, you can look forward to losing the stretch marks. Please contact Ballantyne Medical Associates to learn about permanently eliminating stretch marks before spending money on topical treatments that aren’t likely to yield results.