Laser removal of stretch marks is just one option if you have stretch marks you wish to have removed. We’ll explain how laser therapy for stretch marks works and tell you about the advantages and disadvantages of using lasers to remove stretch marks. We’ll also tell you about alternatives to laser surgery for stretch marks.
How Laser Surgery for Stretch Mark Removal Works
First, you should know that laser surgery is sometimes referred to as laser therapy or laser treatment. It’s not really surgery in the traditional sense; no cutting or suturing is involved.
There are different types of laser surgery that can be used to remove stretch marks. For instance, fractional laser therapy rebuilds collagen in damaged skin, making stretch marks less noticeable. Vascular laser therapy seals off broken blood vessels, decreasing redness and discoloration in stretch marks. The type of laser therapy used depends on a number of factors, including the age of the stretch marks and their appearance. A cosmetic surgeon will recommend the best type of laser therapy for you, based on your needs.
Multiple treatments are usually required. The exact number varies, depending on the depth and color of your stretch marks and the results you’re looking for. Treatments are typically done about six weeks apart.
It is important to realize that, while laser surgery for stretch marks does make the marks less noticeable, it usually does not get rid of them completely. If you’re planning to have laser therapy for stretch marks, talk to your physician about what kind of results you should expect.
Advantages of Laser Removal of Stretch Marks
Advantages of laser surgery for stretch marks include:
- Effective for stretch marks of different colors, ages, and depth, and for people of different skin colors, although shallow stretch marks and recently-developed stretch marks may show the most improvement.
- Most patients report discomfort is short-lived and tolerable.
Disadvantages of Laser Removal of Stretch Marks
Disadvantages of laser surgery for stretch marks include:
- Does cause some discomfort – According to Dr. Greg Chernoff, a cosmetic surgeon located in Indiana, most patients describe it as feeling similar to being splattered with cooking grease or snapped with a rubber band.
- May cause temporary redness, bruising, and/or blistering.
- May cause temporary darkening and/or permanent lightening of the skin.
- Requires multiple treatments and can take many months altogether.
- Costly and usually not covered by health insurance policies.
Alternatives to Laser Surgery for Stretch Mark Removal
Commonly used alternatives to laser surgery for removing stretch marks include:
- Tretinoin cream, available by prescription. Side effects include skin irritation, redness, swelling, blisters, peeling, and a stinging sensation. Sensitivity to sunlight is also common when using tretinoin cream, which can cause you to get a sunburn very easily. Tretinoin cream may not be safe for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding; talk to your doctor or midwife for more information about that.
- Microdermabrasion, in which tiny crystals are used to sand away the top layer of the skin, removing imperfections and stimulating the growth of new, healthy skin. Side effects include redness, swelling, bruising, and changes in skin color. Sensitivity to sunlight is also common after microdermabrasion.
There are also a variety of home remedies often used for stretch marks but many of those are unproven or simply do not work.
Top Recommended Stretch Mark Treatment
Our top recommended alternative to laser removal of stretch marks is Insta Natural Stretch Mark and Scar Cream. We like it because it’s available without a prescription, doesn’t require repeated visits to a doctor’s office, is much more affordable than laser surgery, and does not cause discomfort or unpleasant side effects like bruising or blistering. Insta Natual Stretch Mark and Scar Cream reduces the visibility of stretch marks and make them less noticeable. To find out more, just follow the links provided.