What are stretch marks and how are they treated?

Posted on 06 May, 2011

Stretch marks appear mostly on the breasts, abdomen and the tummy. The common causes of stretch marks are weight loss or gain, pregnancy and stress.

Laser stretch mark removal – An overview

Laser treatment, chemical peels and skin exfoliation are among the common methods used to get rid of stretch marks. Out of these methods, laser treatment has proved to be the most effective.

How does laser treatment work?

Light in the form of UV Rays is projected on the area which needs to be cleared of the marks. The incidence of UV light on the skin leads to the formation of collagen. Collagen brings about a reduction in the appearance of stretch marks and solves the problem.

Alternative methods

Alternative methods as mentioned above include chemical peels, creams, lotions and over-the-counter drugs. However, it should be noted that these treatment methods take time for visible results.

Why opt for laser treatment?

Laser treatment provides instantaneous results to stretch marks and has minimal side effects. One of the most notable disadvantages of using ointments and prescription drugs is that they take time to produce visible effects and sometimes fail to work entirely.

About the treatment

Treatments can last anywhere from ten minutes to an hour, depending on the severity of the stretch marks and the area of skin that is affected. Two to six sessions may be required to completely get rid of the marks. Laser stretch marks removal is a painless procedure and hence advisable.