Laser Stretch Mark Removal

Stretch marks appear on the body due to many reasons. The middle layer of the skin known as dermis is stretched to such an extent that it loses its elasticity. Many times you will observe reddish stretch marks, which are due to internal bleeding in the tissues. As the dermis stretches, the epidermis (outer layer) also stretches and becomes translucent. This leads to a purple-colored scar on the skin. Natural skin fiber called collagen and elastin get disrupted due to the stretch marks.

Hormonal changes is the main reason for the occurrence of stretch marks. Glucocorticoids is a group of steroids and cortisol is a common glucocorticoid produced in the human body due to many reasons. The cortisol is secreted in the body when the body undergoes stress which leads to weight gain. The causes of stress may be conditions like pregnancy, adolescent growth, weightlifting, improper nutrition and excessive intake of caffeine. When the body experiences stress, it goes in survival mode. In the survival mode, body tends to store fat quickly and this excessive storage of fats causes the skin to stretch. The weight gain in pregnancy is a major cause of stretch marks seen in women. Weightlifting and sudden muscle building also causes stretch marks on the skin. Usually, stretch marks are seen on the upper part of arms and shoulders in weightlifters. The bottom line is that stretch marks are a result of hormonal interaction in the human body.

The primary solution for stretch marks is to prevent them. The alternate stretch mark removal treatments include using skin creams, lotions, diets and exercises. Laser removal is a surgical method to remove stretch marks. It involves the use of a laser beam to remove thin layers of skin around the stretch mark. Before exposing the stretch mark to the laser beam, a topical ointment is applied to the skin. The excimer type of laser is used for removing stretch marks and does not involve cutting or burning the skin as in other laser surgeries. This technique involves disintegrating the skin tissue, which is also called ablation. Normally, 8-10 sittings are required for the complete procedure. After the completion of the laser treatment, the affected area is healed and new healthy skin grows in the place of the stretch marks. Redness and scarring may be observed in the areas where the stretch marks are treated.

Care must be taken after undergoing a stretch mark removal by the laser surgery. The skin which has undergone the laser surgery must not be exposed to sunlight. It is a cosmetic surgery and must be done by a qualified dermatologist or a cosmetic surgeon. Note that it does not guarantee 100% success, but the success rate is higher than the other topical skin treatments. However, the stretch marks that have passed their initial stage and turned silver cannot be removed even using this surgery. Also, the money and time invested in laser treatment of stretch marks is considerably high. You need to have a lot of patience to get a laser stretch mark removal done.