Stretch Marks and Laser Removal

Stretch marks are usually found on the stomach, thighs, upper arms, and breasts. There are actually two layers of skin affected in the formation of stretch marks. The top layer (also called epidermis) and the middle layer (dermis).

The dermis helps your skin keeps its shape and when it is stretched over a period of time it becomes less elastic, losing its support. This causes tearing in the dermis and epidermis usually resulting in purplish or pinkish lines. As the stretch marks age, they turn white or silver

While stretch marks do not represent any bad health effects, they can make people feel uncomfortable and self conscious. An excisor laser uses a concentrated beam of light to trace stretch marks and remove extremely thin layers of skin.

After such a treatment, it is claimed that the skin heals smoothly. Laser for stretch marks can take as little as 10 minutes or up to an hour depending on the severity of the stretch marks and where they are located. Multiple sessions are usually required.

Thankfully, advances to laser surgery have made removal much less painful, no more than a pinching sensation. There could be some temporary side effects such as scarring, blistering, or bruising.

They make take several weeks to go away, but they will go away. You may notice some skin color change, but as with the other effects, it too usually goes away within a few weeks. Results could be seen for up to 6 months after using the laser for stretch marks as the skin continues to repair itself.

Most customers are very happy with the results and have found it is particularly effective on newer purplish or pinkish stretch marks. Stretch marks that are older and have already turned a white or silver color may not be able to be removed completely. However, their visibility can be lessened.

Complete removal would require repigmenting the skin and has been shown to have adverse results more often than not. To enhance the laser treatment or assist skin healing your doctor may suggest or prescribe a cream as well. You may also have to avoid sun exposure to the newly healing areas.

This procedure has been made much safer by modern advances; however your safety can be better assured by using a certified physician. Incompetence could be a source of injury.

In order to minimize any chance of injury be sure to research the physician and procedure carefully. In the hands of a certified position this procedure is much safer since the laser for stretch marks has become more precise in its control.

Insurance usually will not cover this treatment as it’s considered to be cosmetic. A treatment can cost anywhere from $400 to $1500 and multiple procedures are usually needed. It could be as few as two treatments or as many as ten.

Any financial agreements made with your physician should be read carefully so you completely understand the terms and conditions. However, laser removal is cheaper, requires less recovery time, and is less invasive than a tummy tuck.