Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEffectiveness of LasersHow Lasers HelpCost
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Effectiveness of Lasers
How Lasers Help
Cost
Stretch marksare a common and possibly unwelcome result of changes in your body. They often appear with pregnancy but can also affectbodybuildersand anyone who has gained or lost a significant amount of weight in a short period. For some teens and pre-teens, they appear following a sudden growth spurt.
Maintaining a stable weight and taking care of your skin may help reduce or prevent significant stretch marks. However, some factors like heredity and hormonal changes are out of your control.
WhileRetin-Ahas been shown to be marginally effective and other oils, creams, and lotions are purported to help with stretch marks, most medical experts agree that the claims are mostly hype.Breakthroughs in the use of lasers for cosmetic purposes, though, have raised hopes for treating this cosmetic concern.
This article will discuss whether lasers can really remove stretch marks, what laser treatments are like, and what you need to know about costs and insurance coverage for the procedures.
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Can Lasers Remove Stretch Marks?
Unfortunately, no, lasers will notremoveyour stretch marks. Since stretch marks represent a permanent change in the dermis (the deeper layer of skin beneath the surface layer known as the epidermis), no amount of resurfacing via lasers can erase them.
However, studies have shown that laser treatments canlessenthe depth of stretch marks in some people, meaning the marks may become lighter. In fact, results show an improvement rate between 20% and 60%.
How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks: 13 Treatment Options and Natural Remedies
How Lasers Can Help
Laser treatments involve infrared and visible red light beams applied to your skin. The laser energy breaks down the scar tissue that makes up the stretch mark. It then stimulates the production of collagen and elastin in the dermal (deeper) layer of the skin, where stretch marks are formed.
Finally, the laser increases blood flow to the area, which makes the marks less noticeable. The result is a lighter texture with skin that is softer and flatter.
Lasers are most effective on immature stretch marks, which are marks that are red in color. Many healthcare providers say they are nearly useless on more mature (or white) stretch marks.
Even with these new approaches, though, you cannot expect the same results that you’ll see with laser treatments performed on immature stretch marks.
When it comes to darker skin types, using lasers is generally considered inadvisable because there is a high risk ofhyperpigmentationchanges in the skin.
How Many Sessions Does It Take to Remove Stretch Marks?
The number of sessions needed to get your desired results can vary from two to two dozen. It’s estimated that to get optimal results, you will need about 20 sessions of laser therapy.However, the exact number depends on your situation. In all cases, multiple sessions are spread out over several weeks in order to see the best results.
Once you achieve your desired results, you may want to plan for follow-up appointments. Repeat treatments down the road are sometimes needed to maintain the look of your skin.
Are the Benefits of Microneedling Worth It?
How Long Does Laser Stretch Mark Removal Take?
Each laser session is estimated to be between 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area and where the stretch marks are located.
Are Laser Treatments Painful?
Cost of Laser Treatments for Stretch Marks
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), skin resurfacing costs around $1,199 for several sessions, which covers just the surgeon and facility fee.There may be additional costs for medication or related treatments.
Red Stretch Marks: Everything You Need to Know
Summary
In short, there is no “cure” for stretch marks. In addition, preventing stretch marks is not entirely in your power, especially during great hormonal fluctuations, such as pregnancy and puberty. If your mother has stretch marks, there’s a good chance that you will have them, too.
Only you can decide whether a 20% to 60% improvement in the appearance of stretch marks is worth making several trips to the plastic surgeon’s office (not to mention shelling out a few thousand dollars).
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Farahnik B, Park K, Kroumpouzos G, Murase J.Striae gravidarum: Risk factors, prevention, and management.Int J Women’s Dermatol. 2017;3(2):77-85. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2016.11.001Ud-Din S, McGeorge D, Bayat A.Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016;30(2):211–222. doi:10.1111/jdv.13223American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Laser therapy for stretch marks.Wollina U, Goldman A.Management of stretch marks (with a focus on striae rubrae).J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2017;10(3):124-129. doi:10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_118_17Michigan Medicine.Fractionated Laser Resurfacing and Rejuvenation.Oram Y, Akkaya AD.Refractory Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation Treated Fractional CO2 Laser.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(3):42-44.American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.Laser Skin Resurfacing - Associated Costs.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Farahnik B, Park K, Kroumpouzos G, Murase J.Striae gravidarum: Risk factors, prevention, and management.Int J Women’s Dermatol. 2017;3(2):77-85. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2016.11.001Ud-Din S, McGeorge D, Bayat A.Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016;30(2):211–222. doi:10.1111/jdv.13223American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Laser therapy for stretch marks.Wollina U, Goldman A.Management of stretch marks (with a focus on striae rubrae).J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2017;10(3):124-129. doi:10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_118_17Michigan Medicine.Fractionated Laser Resurfacing and Rejuvenation.Oram Y, Akkaya AD.Refractory Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation Treated Fractional CO2 Laser.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(3):42-44.American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.Laser Skin Resurfacing - Associated Costs.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Farahnik B, Park K, Kroumpouzos G, Murase J.Striae gravidarum: Risk factors, prevention, and management.Int J Women’s Dermatol. 2017;3(2):77-85. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2016.11.001Ud-Din S, McGeorge D, Bayat A.Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016;30(2):211–222. doi:10.1111/jdv.13223American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Laser therapy for stretch marks.Wollina U, Goldman A.Management of stretch marks (with a focus on striae rubrae).J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2017;10(3):124-129. doi:10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_118_17Michigan Medicine.Fractionated Laser Resurfacing and Rejuvenation.Oram Y, Akkaya AD.Refractory Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation Treated Fractional CO2 Laser.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(3):42-44.American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.Laser Skin Resurfacing - Associated Costs.
Farahnik B, Park K, Kroumpouzos G, Murase J.Striae gravidarum: Risk factors, prevention, and management.Int J Women’s Dermatol. 2017;3(2):77-85. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2016.11.001
Ud-Din S, McGeorge D, Bayat A.Topical management of striae distensae (stretch marks): prevention and therapy of striae rubrae and albae.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016;30(2):211–222. doi:10.1111/jdv.13223
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.Laser therapy for stretch marks.
Wollina U, Goldman A.Management of stretch marks (with a focus on striae rubrae).J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2017;10(3):124-129. doi:10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_118_17
Michigan Medicine.Fractionated Laser Resurfacing and Rejuvenation.
Oram Y, Akkaya AD.Refractory Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation Treated Fractional CO2 Laser.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(3):42-44.
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.Laser Skin Resurfacing - Associated Costs.
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