The more advanced way of removing stretch marks is by laser stretch mark removal. Although it uses technology that is quite sophisticated, the cost and pain associated with this treatment has significantly lowered in recent years. This type of procedure is still not considered cheap; however, laser removal is still less expensive than plastic surgery and causes fewer risks.

Problem

Stretch marks are usually caused by the rapid expansion of skin due to weight gain or pregnancy. Stretch marks form when the dermis, the middle layer of the skin, is stretched to its limit. The connective fibers will then break, resulting to the disruption of collagen production and scarring.

Stretch marks usually appear as pinkish or purplish threads. Most of them develop on the thighs, belly, thighs, upper arms, and hips. Stretch marks are not known to be health hazards and are only seen as a cosmetic problem for most people. That is why many people are looking for an effective treatment to remove stretch marks.

Procedure

Stretch marks are considered as scars and can be removed by laser stretch mark removal. This procedure involves the use of a beam of light to remove thin layers of skin around the stretch marks. Laser technology uses high energy ultraviolet light to disrupt the molecular bonds in the skin tissue and to help it disintegrate. The scar tissues are now gone and the vacated area is then replaced with newly formed skin cells and collagen.

Immediately following the treatment, the affected area will be red and tender. This is due to the fact that the layers of scarred skin have been removed so that new skin can develop in its place. However, most patients heal from the redness and tenderness in just a few days.

Benefits

Even if the word surgery might sound scary, this type of surgery poses no serious danger for the individual because this is a non-invasive surgical procedure. Aside from that, undergoing treatment is convenient even for busy people because procedures can last from ten minutes to an hour and the patient can easily go back to work after undergoing treatment.

The number of treatments varies from person to person and the severity of the scarring. The most recently formed stretch marks are easiest to treat and have a higher success rate. The older and more mature stretch marks are usually silver or white in color. These scars can be difficult to remove and may take more treatments but laser surgery can still reduce their appearance. In addition to that, the only pain you will experience as the light lasers do their work is a pinching sensation.

Risks

Side effects from laser stretch mark removal are rare and the only risks experienced by some of the patients include bruising, scarring, blistering, or swelling of the treated area. These symptoms will normally disappear within a few days or weeks. Sometimes, changes in the pigmentation of the area can occur as well but then again, this is only temporary and your skin will return to its normal color after a while.

The different types of treatments can pose as a danger if the procedure is administered by incompetent individuals. Therefore, it would be in the individual's best interest to obtain treatments from certified physicians.