Did you grow up as a teen with stretch marks? Did you get pregnant and find that your new skin had grown? Did you gain weight and see new stretch marks appear on your body? Did you have another kid, grow even more, and see new stretch marks appear again? Do you wish there was some way to get rid of those annoying red streaks once and for all? You’re not the first person to feel this way, and you won’t be the last. Laser stretch mark removal is one of the most common procedures out there when it comes to dealing with these pesky red lines. But does laser stretch mark removal work? Can it really help fade those dark spots away for good? Keep reading to learn everything about laser removal of stretch marks.
Does Laser Stretch Mark Removal Work?
It depends on the individual’s tolerance for pain, but in general, laser stretch mark removal is not very effective. Though the procedure is not painful, it does require multiple treatments in order to see results. It is best to consult with a qualified dermatologist to determine if laser stretch mark removal is right for you.
How Does Laser Stretch Mark Removal Work?
Skin Care and Comfort Prep
Before the stretch mark removal procedure, your doctor may recommend that you perform some skincare to prepare your skin for treatment. This can include using a gentle skin cleanser, a non-oil-based moisturizer, and an SPF 30+ sunscreen. Your doctor may also recommend that you stop using certain medications that can reduce your skin’s sensitivity. Depending on the area being treated, you may be given a gown and gloves to wear during your treatment. You may also be asked to remove any piercings as they can interfere with the laser energy.
Perform Probing and Shaping of the Skin
Before the co2 laser is activated, the skin is probed and shaped to remove any excess tissue. This helps ensure that only the stretch marks are targeted by the laser energy. Probing is done by placing the laser probe at different angles on the skin’s surface. The probe is used to break the surface of the skin and separate the tissue from the stretch marks below. The probe is moved across the skin in a criss-cross pattern to create a grid-like pattern. This creates an open wound that allows the laser energy to be absorbed by the stretch marks below. Shaping involves using a scalpel or scissors to remove excess skin around the stretch marks. This ensures that the laser energy is absorbed directly by the stretch marks only and does not affect surrounding healthy tissue.
The Co2 Laser is Activated
Once the skin is probed and shaped, the co2 laser is activated. The laser beam is carefully guided across the affected area, targeting the stretch marks directly. The laser energy is absorbed by the stretch marks and heats them up, causing them to fade in appearance. Once the skin cools down, there is no residual side effect on the treated area.
The Final Steps of Laser Stretch Mark Removal
After the co2 laser is activated, the skin is probed and shaped again. This ensures that only the affected areas are treated. The laser treatment is then stopped and the skin is allowed to cool down again.
Why Does Laser Stretch Mark Removal Work?
1. The Co2 Laser Targeting Stretch Marks
The co2 laser is a highly precise tool that targets only the stretch marks. This is because the skin has two layers: the top layer, or epidermis, and the lower layer, or dermis. The epidermis is made up of dead cells that are shed each day. The dermis contains new cells that are constantly being formed and replaced.
2. Probing & Shaping of the Skin
The process of probing and shaping ensures that only stretch marks are targeted by the laser energy. This ensures that only damaged skin is treated – no surrounding healthy tissue is harmed by laser energy.
3. Cooling Down the Skin After Treatment
The skin is cooled down once the laser treatment has been stopped. This allows the skin to repair itself naturally.
4. Laser Stretch Mark Removal Is a Permanent Solution
Because the laser energy is absorbed by the stretch marks and not surrounding healthy skin, there is no potential for scarring or long-term side effects. This makes laser stretch mark removal a permanent solution for stretch mark removal. It also means that there is no need to continue treatment with additional treatments in the future, saving you money and time.
What Are The Pros Of Laser Stretch Mark Removal?
- It is a quick procedure.
- There are no downtimes.
- There is no need for any recovery period.
- It is effective in removing stretch marks from the abdomen and other body parts.
- It can be done on pregnant women, but with caution and after thorough consultation with your doctor or dermatologist about the possible risks involved in the procedure for you and your baby, if any at all exist.
- As it does not remove any skin tissue, it leaves behind no scarring or side effects of any kind on the body parts treated by it, as long as you take care of it after the treatment session is over by applying a good moisturizer regularly to keep your skin supple and hydrated.
What Are The Side Effects Of A Laser Stretch Mark Removal Session?
- It can be painful since it uses laser technology, but it is not unbearable pain as the beam is focused on the stretch marks only and not going deep into your body tissues like in some other cosmetic surgery procedures that are performed on the same part of the body such as liposuction or tummy tucks.
- You need to take care of your skin after the treatment session is over by applying a good moisturizer regularly to keep your skin supple and hydrated.
- It can be expensive since it requires regular follow-up sessions with your dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon in order for the treatment to be effective.
- It is only effective on small stretch marks, and not on deep ones.
- It is not a permanent solution, since it works by breaking down the collagen and elastin fibers that are responsible for creating the stretch marks, but it can take time before you see improvement with its use since it takes time for those fibers to be broken down completely, so you need to be patient with this procedure and give it time before you can see results with it.
- You need to make sure that the area is free from any infection or inflammation in order for the treatment to be effective.
- It is only effective on small stretch marks, and not on deep ones.
Bottom Line
Laser stretch mark removal works because it repairs your skin while also stimulating collagen production. This helps to make your skin more elastic and stronger. It also helps your skin to heal more quickly. The laser treatment will also promote increased blood flow to the marked areas. This will help to heal the skin while also reducing the appearance of the red marks.
FAQ’s
How long will it take to see results?
The results are usually visible within two weeks of the first treatment, but it can take longer depending on the individual.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments required depends on the severity of the stretch marks and how much improvement is desired. The more severe the stretch marks are the more treatments that may be necessary to achieve a sufficient result. It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Each patient’s skin and personal goals should be taken into account when determining how many treatments are necessary for an individual’s unique situation.
How long will the laser treatment last?
The effects of the treatment are usually visible within two weeks of the first treatment, but it can take longer depending on the individual.
