Laser Surgery for Stretch Marks: Questions and Answers

Laser surgery for stretch marks is one of the latest treatment options to hit the market. While it may be a good choice for some people but for others, there are other treatment options that are better fit for there lives. Here is some information about stretch marks, what causes them and some answers about laser surgery.

What Are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are tears in the dermis layer of the skin that occur when the skin is stretched past the point of its elasticity. These tears or rips in the dermis cause the purplish or reddish lines that appear in the epidermis, or the top layer of skin.

Pregnancy, rapid weight gain or loss and even some health conditions can all cause stretch marks. As the amount of collagen in the skin decreases, the skin becomes less elastic. These lines are the result of loss of elasticity.

What Is Laser Surgery?

Laser surgery is a process that is carried out by a dermatologist who uses a specially designed light or pulsed dye laser to remove tiny layers of skin. It helps to loosen the collagen in the skin and also makes the skin swell in order to promote skin cell regeneration.

This procedure can make the stretch marks seem less noticeable as it removes these layers of skin. It is effective as a stretch mark reducer but the jury is still out on whether it can completely remove stretch marks.

How Many Treatments Are Necessary?

Depending on your skin tone and the size of the area treated, laser treatment for stretch marks should take about 10 to 30 minutes per treatment. Most people required a least six treatments about a month apart.

How Much Does Laser Surgery for Stretch Marks Cost?

Laser surgery for stretch marks is very expensive. Depending on where you have the treatments completed at, you can expect to pay between $400 and $1500 for each treatment. This can add up quickly if you require multiple treatments. Laser stretch mark removal is seldom covered in any way by health insurance.

Is Laser Surgery Painful?

Each burst of the laser feels like a sting or a pinch, as if you were struck with a rubber band. Some people may require anesthesia depending on their pain tolerance level. You may notice some redness, swelling or tenderness to the treated area, but that should go away within a few days.

Other Treatment Options for Removing Stretch Marks

There are a number of other treatment options available to get rid of stretch mark. Microdermabrasion has shown some results in removing stretch marks but is also very expensive and may cause additional scarring in some instances. Cosmetic surgery, such as a tummy tuck, may indeed remove some stretch marks but this surgery is very expensive and requires considerable downtime to heal from.

For those that need a less expensive treatment option, you may find that stretch mark creams and lotions are your best bet. These will not only help to prevent stretch marks, but many help to significantly reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

The Best Way to Get Rid of Stretch Mark

Laser surgery is not an option for everyone. First and foremost, the expense can be too stiff for many people and the results are not guaranteed. It also can take several appointments to see any results at all. For those who are contemplating the best way to rid themselves of stretch marks, a cream or lotion may be the best solution.