Stretch marks

Stretch marks are scars formed because of losing the elasticity in the superficial layers of the skin in conjunction with tension forces. Stretch marks can be prevented if You use creams and lotions regularly in the periods when the skin is being stretched, but when stretch marks are already formed, those creams will not be of any help. You can then either setlle with having stretch marks or try and reduce their visibility.

In the fight against stretch marks, LASER treatments can be of help.

You need to be aware that stretch marks can’t be removed by any treatment other than surgery.

There are different treatments available to reduce the visibility of stretch marks.

Different creams and lotions are the simplest form. But, by using them, You can only gain smoother and tighter skin. They are recommended as more of a preventive method and they have shown good results in that field!

Then there are some more aggressive dermatologic treatments, like chemical peels and microdermabrasion. Both are founded on the basis of removing the superficial layer of the skin and activating the skin’s healing process, which gives You tighter and more pale skin in the desired area.

Recently, LASERs have made a breakthrough into this group of indicated treatments for those who wish to conceal their stretch marks.

LASER like the Exelo2 has all the right capabilities to help solve this common issue.

By a fractional action, it directly impacts the stretch mark, leaving the surrounding skin intact, induces the growth of collagen which in turn fills out the void underneath the stretch mark, thus reducing the present undulation. Skin becomes smoother, and the void is less palpable under touch.

By an ablative action, the superficial layer of the skin is removed, and the skin gets renewed, turns softer, more elastic and the pigmentation evens out.

What that means is that the purple to red stretch mark and the surrounding tissue become almost the same color, and by that decrease in contrast, thus the visibility of the stretch mark is significantly reduced.

Anyone with stretch marks on their body and wants to get rid of them, and doesn’t have any contraindications for a LASER treatment (persons who have had sudden growth, weight gain or weight loss, athletes who get stretch marks from muscle growth…)

The area with stretch marks is treated directly by a LASER. The following is the feeling of mild tingling which is quite easily sustainable. Cold pads should be applied to the treated area for 15 minutes after the treatment, in order to reduce the after-effects (redness, swelling, heat). The treatment lasts from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the region.

2 to 4 treatments are required to achieve optimal results.

Treatments are repeated in 4 to 6 week intervals.

After a LASER stretch mark reduction, the area should be kept clean. You can use any stretch mark enhancing product and further improve Your results.

It is of great importance to keep the treated region moisturized, that improves the results of the treatment because adequate hydration is especially needed during healing.

After the treatment, the treated skin will be pinkish, dry and feel tight for a few days (like after mild sunburn). Therefore it’s necessary to keep the skin well hydrated, by applying moisturizing products several times a day.

Also, You need to use SPF 30+ sunblock (for the next 4 weeks), or stay away from the sun during that time. These effects subside in 3 to 5 days in most persons, rarely they can last longer but in a milder form.

You can expect the visibility of the stretch marks to be greatly reduced. Not just that, You will feel an improvement under touch, because the grooves that are under a stretch mark will level, and the skin will become softer to the touch.

Process of regeneration may start as soon as just 4 days after the treatment. The rate of regeneration depends on the type of LASER used, individual characteristics of the skin and how good You follow the doctor’s instructions.

First results will be usually seen at the end of the first week, and they will be getting better and better.

Persons prone to forming scars, on certain therapy regimes, (i.e. Tretinoin), suffering from certain skin conditions (dermatitis) are not suitable for this kind of treatment.

Persons who are sun tanned or tanned in a sun bed should wait for their tan to wear off before having this kind of treatment.

Your doctor will assess Your skin in order to determine if You are a candidate for LASER skin rejuvenation.

There is a minimal amount of pain sensation during the treatment, but patients easily sustain it, some don’t even feel any at all. For the treatment to be as easily tolerable as possible, we use a pain numbing anesthetic cream.

Not necessary, but there will be some moderate redness on Your skin for the first 3 days, but as most stretch marks are hidden under clothes, that’s not really an issue.

As with any other procedure, there is a certain, minimal amount of risk involved.

Hyperpigmentations can form, or rarely hypopigmentations, dormant viruses such as Herpes virus can be triggered by LASER treatments. On persons with an inclination to forming hypertrophic scars, they can form, although rarely.

There is a prevention to these minimal risks, by a LASER skin test, before undergoing the treatment.