There are various treatment methods for stretch marks. The choice of what to use is mostly determined by the doctor or the client based on cost or some other factors. Some of the options available are peels, creams, oils, lasers and many other methods. Majority of the people prefer these other methods apart from laser stretch mark treatment because they are cheaper though they might not be as convenient.
Maybe you are among thousands of people who have tried to fight their stretch marks to no avail, and you are now wondering about the viability of laser stretch mark removal. We shall highlight all the important aspects of laser stretch mark treatment to help you make a wise decision.
Facts about laser stretch mark removal
- Use of lasers to treat stretch marks is an outpatient procedure that has minimal or zero recovery time in most of the times. This is more so if an excimer laser is used since it does not cut or apply excessive heat on the skin. It uses ultraviolet light energy.
- The number of sessions you will need to clear all your stretch marks will be determined by the age of the stretch marks, your age in years, and definitely the type of laser you will choose. Fractional lasers produce the best results when it comes to stretch mark treatments. Layering the treatment with a pulsed-dye treatment makes the process more efficient.
- Laser treatment is more convenient since it involves few or even one treatment session and the skin starts its correction mechanism immediately. Compared to other treatments like lotions and creams which you have to use every day, it is evident that a laser treatment saves a lot of time while putting the probability of making an error at minimal levels.
- Compared to some other treatments like dermabrasion or chemical peels, the total cost of laser stretch mark treatment is pocket-friendly. Some of these treatments like chemical peels can reach a cumulative cost of more than $1000 while lasers might cost less. Others like tummy tuck can cost even more than $5000.
- The lasers promote the growth of new collagen from beneath the pores, and it’s also a non-invasive form of stretch mark treatment.
- In addition to correcting and treating the stretch mark condition, the laser also helps in tightening the skin as well as improving its tone.
Major causes of stretch marks
- Rapid weight gain
- Adolescence or puberty
- Prolonged use of steroids
- Family line condition as passed through genes
- Weight loss within a very short time
- Pregnancy
- Medication and surgical processes
Main challenges of laser stretch mark treatment
The major undesirable feature of laser treatment is the limitation it has on people with darker skin. Since the lasers operate through heating the skin cells, it can easily cause burns on dark-skinned people. However, naturally, darker people develop stretch marks less frequent compared to those with white, brown or light skin.
There might also be some scarring, burnings on the skin, reddening, inflammation, and discoloration during or after the treatment. However, these challenges should not deter you from using laser stretch mark treatment. The professionals doing the procedure apply maximum care on the patients. Also, the probability of the undesired results is negligible.
Final opinion on laser stretch mark treatment
There has been a great advancement on the type and variety of lasers in the market. As a result, stretch mark lasers can achieve great results when it comes to the treatment of stretch marks. Their costs are not excessively high, and there is minimal downtime associated with lasers. The type of laser used determines the total cost and the number of sessions required to clear the stretch marks. The main challenge of lasers in the treatment of stretch marks is their limitation on their application on dark skins.