Laser Surgery for Stretch Marks

Laser treatments are a highly popular stretch mark removal alternative because they are outpatient interventions that have little or no recovery time involved and cost considerably less than an average tummy tuck. However, since laser treatments just minimize pigmentation but don't really remove stretch marks, this alternative doesn't actually work.

Since the laser used in these procedures responds to dark colors only, laser surgery is effective mainly in the early phases, when stretch marks are dark red or purple.

When stretch marks have already cured, laser surgery won't be as effective as it intended to be. In the other hand, patients with fair complexion and shallow lesions respond best to laser stretch mark removal.

Blue Light Therapy for Stretch Marks

Blue light therapy is probably most often known as a method to remove tattoos. Although that can be what it is best known for, blue light therapy was invented to treat a variety of pigmentation ailments, like freckles and hyper pigmentation, varicose veins, spider veins and rosacea. Blue light treatment works by applying a photosensitive substance to the skin, and then a series of intense light bursts are emitted or 'zapped' over the area with the tattoo or pigmentation. Similar to laser procedures, blue light treatment may be able to hide the appearance of stretch marks, but will not remove them.

Stretch Mark Chemical Peel

Skin peels are chemical peels that are applied to an area (commonly the face) to chemically 'burn' then peel off the external layer of skin to treat acne, zits and fine lines. After a chemical peel the skin seems (and feels) like you've suffered sunburn. Chemical peels are being commonly used in spas, salons and can be purchased over the counter.

The prime reason for the extended fame of skin peels is that it provides instantaneous results making skin look younger, healthier, and firmer. Some folks are now using skin peels to minimize or get rid stretch marks, too. However, since the peels do not remove the actual stretch marks, subsequent peels may required to be done every six months or so to keep the smoothness of the skin. Ideally, this intervention must be accompanied by skin care treatments to alleviate irritation.

Exfoliation for Stretch Marks

Exfoliation is a procedure using a mild abrasive (ground apricot seeds or sand, for instance) that aids eliminate dead skin cells. The soft new skin that appears after exfoliation can improve the look of the skin. Similar to skin peels, exfoliation doesn't remove stretch marks, but can improve their look for a period of time after therapy.

Creams and Ointments

A good skin care cream or ointment (like scar serums) can help to minimize and soften the look of stretch marks, specially if used regularly for the first few months after baby is born. By keeping the skin moisturized and flexible, creams and skin serums can help the skin biologically heal the scarring caused by stretch marks.