| u are tired of the unsightly stretch marks on your body | | | | laser surgery depends on the result of a series of |
| and ready to do something about them, you will want | | | | treatments over several weeks. |
| to know all your treatment options. Some stretch mark | | | | Usually, an average of six to eight treatment sessions |
| treatment choices are much better than others and | | | | of laser therapy is required for the desired results to |
| certain treatments can pose significant risks. Some | | | | be visible. |
| scenarios can help you with new marks but are | | | | Advantages |
| ineffective for old ones. Others can help with both. | | | | Laser therapy often results in permanent changes. It is |
| You’ve come to the right place for information. | | | | often viewed as one of the most effective treatment |
| Learn about treatments such as: surgery, laser | | | | options for stretch marks. |
| treatment, dermabrasion, creams and chemical peels. | | | | Disadvantages |
| Surgery | | | | The most prominent drawback of laser therapy is the |
| Surgery is something that’s not typically done | | | | high level of expense involved in the treatment. With |
| for removal of stretch marks. Surgery that would | | | | each session costing about $600-$700, the cost of the |
| involve removing the skin that’s covered with | | | | whole treatment could go well beyond $5,000. |
| stretch marks could result in scarring from incisions | | | | Lotions and Creams |
| which could be considered worse than the stretch | | | | Lotions and creams for the purpose of treatment of |
| marks themselves. It’s for this reason that | | | | stretch marks are designed to perform a highly |
| typical plastic surgery treatments are generally not | | | | effective three-pronged action, including: |
| used for stretchmarks. | | | | * Prevention |
| Dermabrasion | | | | * Treatment of new stretch marks |
| This procedure involves removing layers of skin to get | | | | * Smoothening of old rough stretch marks |
| the skin to regenerate. | | | | Cortisone creams are available and can work the best |
| Advantages | | | | on mild stretch marks, while also leading to an |
| * Healing generally takes place as early as 7-10 days. | | | | improvement in the appearance of the deeper stretch |
| The pinkish tone of the newly formed skin changes | | | | marks. |
| into the normal skin color within a short span of time. | | | | Vitamin E is one of the most effective ingredients of a |
| * You can usually resume normal activities within | | | | good stretchmark cream, helping in the nourishment of |
| seven to 14 days of the treatment | | | | the skin. An effective stretch mark cream has a |
| * Resume cosmetics use as soon as the basic healing | | | | number of ingredients that work in cohesion to |
| has occurred. | | | | produce the desired effects. These include the actions |
| Disadvantages | | | | and ingredients such as: |
| * Temporary (or possibly permanent) changes in skin | | | | * Abrading |
| color | | | | * Physical break down of superficial scarring |
| * Possible darkening of the skin | | | | * Moisturizing enhancers and collagen synthesis |
| * Possible Formation of scars | | | | boosters |
| * Potential for infection | | | | * Cell communicating ingredients |
| Chemical Peels | | | | * Enzymes to dissolve damaged cells and scar |
| Chemical peels, also known as chemexfoliation or | | | | proteins |
| derma-peeling can improve the appearance of the skin | | | | * Skin regenerating activators |
| by application of a chemical solution that causes | | | | A good quality, result-oriented stretch mark cream |
| blisters to occur that are eventually peeled off. | | | | basically works to smooth out the skin, blend the |
| This treatment option includes the use of chemicals like | | | | pigmentation back together, help the redness or silvery |
| glycolic, trichloroacetic, salicylic, lactic or carbolic acid | | | | white appearance and overall, help to bring the skin |
| that are applied and result in controlled wounds that | | | | back together. |
| later result in regenerated skin. | | | | Advantages |
| Advantages | | | | * Extremely convenient and easy to use |
| Chemical peels can be customised so they enable the | | | | * Cost-effective |
| patient to work with the doctor to decide on the depth | | | | * Easily accessible |
| of the chemical peels required. | | | | * Allows privacy of use |
| Disadvantages | | | | * High possibility of positive results |
| Potential disadvantages can include: | | | | Disadvantages |
| * Temporary or permanent color change in the skin | | | | * Many marketed products are ineffective in treating |
| * Possibility of abnormal pigmentation if the patient | | | | old stretch marks |
| consumes birth control pills or has a family history of | | | | * Not advisable to be used in pregnancy or lactating |
| brownish discoloration on the face | | | | stage |
| * Risks of scarring on areas of the face, usually in | | | | * Possible discoloration of the affected area |
| individuals highly prone to scarring | | | | * Not all stretch mark creams are created equally so it |
| * Risks of reactivation of cold sores in patients with a | | | | can involve trial and error |
| history of herpes outbreaks | | | | Which Option is Best for You? |
| Laser Therapy | | | | Only you can decide which option is the best based on |
| Laser therapy has often been perceived as the best | | | | your situation. Laser treatment and creams seem the |
| way (although the most expensive way) to remove | | | | best possible solution for the average person. Because |
| stretch marks. This method can be used on deeper | | | | not everyone can afford laser treatment, using an |
| and older stretch marks in addition to newer marks. | | | | effective stretch mark cream with a solid reputation |
| Laser treatment includes removing, vaporizing, and | | | | for positive results is a wise decision that can have |
| breaking down the skin’s tissues. Successful | | | | great results. |