Laser Stretch Mark Removal – Does It Work? Will It Work For You?

You – “I hate my stretch marks.”
Responder – “Well, they aren’t going anywhere so you might as well get used to them.”

Sound like a familiar conversation? We all hate our stretch marks and while the statement ‘they aren’t going anywhere’ may have been true years ago, luckily this is no longer the case. With a huge advancement in medical technologies, it is now possible to have your stretch marks almost completely repaired with new treatments. A favorite treatment among many women is laser stretch mark removal. Let’s take a more in depth look at what laser removal is and what it can do for you.

What are stretch marks?

Before we get into laser resurfacing and what it is, let us first determine what stretch marks are and what causes them. To summarize them briefly, stretch marks are small tears in the epidermal layer of the skin. They generally occur during times of rapid growth when the skin is stretching too much, too quickly. This is why stretch marks most commonly develop during pregnancy, adolescence, or times of extreme bodybuilding. When they first develop, stretch marks are reddish, purplish, or brownish in color. Over time, they turn white or silverish. The whiter they are, the more difficult they are to get rid of.

Who can benefit from laser stretch mark removal?

As we all know there are many creams and lotions on the market that claim to diminish the appearance of stretch marks. And while creams and lotions may work great for newer stretch marks, once they turn white they are much more difficult to get rid of. Luckily, laser resurfacing is there to pick up the pieces. While white stretch marks may require that you undergo more treatments, both red and white stretch marks can be cured with the help of lasers.

How does laser stretch mark removal work?

The first thing that your physician will do when working on the affected area is clean it using a medical cleanser. Once they remove all dirt and oil from the outer layer of the skin, this will give your physician a clean working surface. Once the affected area has been cleansed a laser will be used to remove thin layers of your skin. While there are no needles used, this procedure can be slightly painful, feeling as though needles are repeatedly poking into your body. It is important to note that while this procedure is effective, it may take several treatments before you see the desired outcomes. The older and whiter the stretch marks, the more treatments you will need.

What to expect after laser stretch mark removal

After the procedure is finished, the area that has been treated may become inflamed and tender. This is a completely normal reaction to the skin being removed. Other less common symptoms include blistering and burnt skin.

How Effective Is Laser Stretch Mark Removal Procedure?

The effects of laser resurfacing vary from woman to woman. Many women report seeing instant results, whereas others report it as ineffective. The results that you see will depend on several things including your skin type, the age of your stretch marks, and the number of treatments you have done. Generally speaking, when it comes to laser stretch mark removal, you should not expect to see results after the first treatment. Newer stretch marks may see an improvement after one or five treatments, whereas white, older stretch marks may require between six and 10 treatments.

If laser resurfacing works why isn’t everyone doing it?

No one likes stretch marks, so why isn’t everyone having this procedure done? Laser resurfacing can work, but it is also extremely expensive. Depending on where you live and which physician you go to, each laser treatment can cost anywhere between $200 and $800. If you require between six and ten treatments, you can easily see how this could add up. The sad truth is that we can all afford creams but we can’t all afford to have our stretch marks removed with a laser.

If you are looking for the perfect cure for your stretch marks, and have the money to pay for it, laser stretch mark removal may be the perfect option for you. It may take several treatments, but the outcome will be well worth it in the end.