Stretch Marks Laser Treatment
Unfortunately, stretch marks are a concern for our male and female patients. While these parallel lines across the skin are harmless, many people find them unsightly and are upset when they develop them.
The good news is that if you’re bothered by your stretch marks, we have various treatment options available to minimize their appearance.
Keep reading to learn about the causes of stretch marks, which stretch mark treatment options we offer at Essential Aesthetics, and how you can schedule a stretch mark consultation at our office.
Causes of Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are a type of scar that occurs when the skin stretches or shrinks too rapidly. Usually, stretch marks are caused by the following:
- Puberty Growth Spurts
- Pregnancy
- Rapid Weight Loss or Gain
- Rapid Growth from Weight Training
While stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body, they most frequently appear on the stomach, breasts, upper arms, thighs, and buttocks.
Treatment Options for Stretch Marks
If you’re accustomed to hearing “nothing you can do” about your stretch marks, you’ll be thrilled to know that isn’t the case.
We have two fantastic stretch mark treatment options available at Essential Aesthetics: IPL and Laser Skin Resurfacing.
Your Experience With Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing is another effective option we have for treating stretch marks. During laser skin resurfacing, a laser penetrates the deepest layer of your skin, where collagen is formed. As a result, the skin is stimulated to create more collagen while the outer layers of the skin improve in appearance.
When you come into Essential Aesthetics for laser skin resurfacing, Ellie Zarnegar, PA, DMSc, may use a topical anesthetic or local anesthetic with sedation, depending on the laser intensity used to treat your stretch marks.
You’ll experience short, quick pulses of laser energy throughout the procedure. Typically, the appointment will last 30-60 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated.
After your stretch mark treatment, recuperation time varies depending on the intensity of the laser used—some patients return to work the next day, whereas others may take a few days off. In any event, Ellie Zarnegar, PA, DMSc, will tell you what kind of downtime you can expect when you visit our office for a stretch mark consultation.
Your stretch marks will begin to look better within a few weeks. While you wait to see results, you may experience warm, pink skin, as you would see with a sunburn. This is normal, and it indicates that the treatment has been effective.
Your Experience with IPL
Unwanted stretch marks can be treated with IPL or Intense Pulsed Light. During IPL treatment, multiple different wavelengths of light are used on the skin, promoting new collagen and elastin.
During your appointment, Ellie Zarnegar, PA, DMSc, will first apply a special gel to the treatment area. This gel helps regulate temperature.
Then, she’ll use an IPL hand piece to guide the light energy into the area of your stretch marks. The experience isn’t painful, although you may feel a mild stinging.
The entire IPL session typically lasts between 30-60 minutes, depending on the size of the area you want to treat. Afterward, you’ll experience no downtime and can resume normal activities immediately.
In the days following your stretch mark treatment, your skin may appear red or swollen. This is a normal part of the healing process.
Within a few weeks, your stretch marks will start to look better. Still, you may require multiple treatment sessions to achieve the look you want.
RF Microneedling for Stretch Marks
Radiofrequency (RF) microneedling uses specially insulated needles that deliver high-intensity RF energy to the targeted tissues. This not only results in a deeper, more effective treatment but also reduces the downtime after treatment.
Stretch marks cause the underlying layers of the skin to be torn away, causing the upper dermis to be stretched and unsupported. RF microneedling helps rebuild those layers by promoting the regeneration of collagen and elastin fibers.
Stretch Mark Treatment for Men & Women
Both men and women make good candidates for stretch mark treatment. We regularly treat both in our office.
The best way to determine if you’re a good candidate for IPL or Laser Skin Resurfacing is to schedule a consultation. During your appointment, we’ll evaluate your stretch marks, so we can recommend the best treatment option for you.
Improve the Appearance of Your Stretch Marks
Many people find stretch marks to be unattractive and bothersome. Essential Aesthetics is pleased to provide treatments to help with the removal of these undesirable marks. Our Danville location is conveniently located for clients from Livermore, Alamo, Blackhawk, San Ramon, Orinda, and other Bay Area cities.
Request a consultation online or call or text us at 925-855-1773 for more information.