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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

American Academy of
Dermatology

U.S. Clinical Trials

American Society for
Dermatologic Surgery

How do I get rid of Stretch Marks?


	Laser can remove the redness of stretch marks
	Laser's effectiveness varies from patient to patient
	No treatment can 'cure' stretch marks once they are formed
	Prevention is possible

There are treatments available, particularly with lasers, which can help improve stretch marks, however, no treatment can make a stretch mark go all the way back to looking like normal skin. We can reduce the redness, we can improve the texture and make them look better, even in some cases make it so that you can't see them very easily, but stretch marks are still an area where we improve the problem but don't remove it. There are no 'perfect' treatments for stretch marks.

Lasers Good for Red Stretch Marks

When the stretch marks are red, lasers can be highly effective at reducing the redness and stopping some of the inflammation causing the stretch marks. In my opinion the pulsed-dye laser is the treatment of choice for this. This will also induce collagen remodeling and some elastin fiber remodeling, which can help the skin look more normal. When the stretch marks are white, laser can, at best, make a moderate improvement.

Test Spots Recommended for Laser Treatment

I usually perform test spots on patients that come in with stretch marks so they can see if the improvement is worth having them come back and pay for a full treatment. I never do that with most of the other conditions I treat because I know the other treatments are going to work so well. However with stretch marks the treatment results still vary from one patient to another.

Prevention

One thing you can do during pregnancy or times of weight gain is to apply topical creams like alpha-hydroxy acids or Retin-A medicines. These topical medicines can be helpful in curbing the onset of stretch marks in the first place.

Consult with a Physician

Schedule a consultation with an experienced physician to discuss your specific case and learn more about available treatment options.

For more information see: Laser Stretch Mark Removal, & How to Choose a Doctor for Stretch Marks

Locate a Stretch Marks Specialist near you to answer questions about your
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Last Modified: October 19, 2007

Frequently Asked Questions
	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?

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.

How do I get rid of Stretch Marks?

Lasers Good for Red Stretch Marks

Test Spots Recommended for Laser Treatment

Prevention

Consult with a Physician

Frequently Asked Questions