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What is a stretch mark?

What causes stretch marks?

How can I remove/get rid of them?

Why don't they heal over time?

Is weight gain the cause?

Pregnancy?

Can you prevent stretch marks?

Laser Stretch Mark Removal

	What does laser treatment cost?
	Does laser treatment hurt?
	What are the recovery times?
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Pre-treatment Questions

American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery

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Frequently Asked Questions & References
for Stretch Marks

		What is Collagen?		Microdermabrasion for Stretch Marks?
		What is Elastin?		Surgery for Stretch Marks?
		What are Stretch Marks?		Lotions and Creams
		What Causes Stretch Marks?		Diet and Stretch Marks
		How do I get rid of Stretch Marks?		What are corticosteroids?
		Why don't they heal over time?		What is hypopigmentation?
		Is Weight Gain to Blame?		What is hyperpigmentation?
		How can you prevent stretch marks?		What is CO2 Laser Treatment?
		Laser Stretch Mark Removal		What is Erbium Laser Treatment?
		Chemical Peels for Stretch Marks?

What is Collagen?

Collagen makes up over 80% of our skin. It is a long, fibrous structural protein which bundles together to form tissues.


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What is Elastin?

Elastin is another of the skin's important structural proteins. Elastin fibers form a mesh-like network within our skin to give it its ability to stretch and recoil. In stretch marks, the elastin network is damaged. Elastin makes up about 4% of our skin.


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What are corticosteroids?

Corticosteroids are a type of steroid hormone that are produced in the adrenal cortex, along the perimeter of the adrenal gland. Corticosteroids are synthesized from cholesterol.


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What is hyperpigmentation?

Skin injuries can cause hyperpigmentation, which is the increase in melanin in a part of the skin resulting in a darker coloration than the surrounding skin.


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What is hypopigmentation?

Skin injury can also cause hypopigmentation, which is the decrease in melanin in a part of the skin resulting in a whiter coloration than the rest of the skin.


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What is CO2 Laser Treatment?

The carbon dioxide laser was one of the earliest lasers developed and is still in widespread use today. Its applications range from industrial to medical. It is generally considered the strongest method of laser therapy in dermatology.


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What is Erbium Laser Treatment?

The erbium laser typically removes thinner layers of skin so you get less down time but also less improvement. There are also erbium lasers that give an effect similar to CO2 laser.


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Last Modified: September 07, 2007

The information contained in the above article is purely for educational purposes and is not intended to provide any medical advice. Always consult with your physician before having any medical procedure performed.

Frequently Asked Questions & References for Stretch Marks