Stretch Mark Treatment

Are stretch marks affecting your skin’s appearance? Understanding stretch marks and the factors contributing to their formation can help you find the right treatment. Discover effective solutions to reduce the appearance of these common skin concerns and achieve smoother, healthier-looking skin.

What are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are thin lines or streaks that appear on the skin when it stretches or shrinks rapidly. This sudden change causes the collagen and elastin in the skin to rupture, leading to these visible marks. Initially, stretch marks can be red, purple, or dark brown, but they often fade to a lighter color over time. Common areas affected by stretch marks include the abdomen, thighs, hips, breasts, and arms.

Factors Contributing to Stretch Marks

Several factors can lead to the development of stretch marks, including:

• Rapid weight changes – Quick weight gain or loss can cause the skin to stretch or shrink, resulting in stretch marks.
• Pregnancy – The abdomen and breasts often expand rapidly during pregnancy, making stretch marks a common occurrence for expectant mothers.
• Puberty – Growth spurts during puberty can lead to the rapid stretching of skin, especially in areas like the thighs, hips, and breasts.
• Genetics – A family history of stretch marks can increase your likelihood of developing them.
• Medical conditions – Certain medical conditions, such as Cushing’s syndrome or Marfan syndrome, can weaken skin fibers, making stretch marks more likely.
• Corticosteroid ese – Long-term use of corticosteroid creams and lotions can decrease the skin’s ability to stretch, leading to the formation of stretch marks.

Using Laser to Treat Stretchmarks

Stretch marks are typically associated with the aftereffects of pregnancy. However, they are far more common than most people realize. They can happen to men as well as women and at virtually any age. They typically occur when an area of skin has been stretched excessively in a very short period of time before being reduced back to its normal size. There are many common ways people use to try and reduce the appearance of stretch marks, including lotions and creams. However, these methods are generally not very effective. Is there a way to successfully reduce the appearance of stretch marks? Dr. Sonny O is now using laser to treat stretchmarks with exceptional results.

How Does Laser Treat Stretchmarks?

Laser treatment is a very gentle, non-invasive procedure that uses carefully targeted pulses of high-energy light to treat the broken and dilated blood vessels responsible for stretch marks. The procedure does so without the risk of damaging nearby healthy tissue. At the same time, the laser’s energy stimulates the healthy skin cells located under the stretchmarks, causing the development of new collagen. Over time, this results in a slow improvement in the color, texture, and irregularity of the stretchmarks. 

The goal of the laser treatment for stretch marks is not to completely eliminate them but to reduce their appearance to a more acceptable look.

When is Laser Stretch Mark Treatment Recommended?

It is up to Dr. O, Charleston’s leading plastic surgeon, to determine whether or not you are a successful candidate for laser stretch mark treatment. His evaluation will consider the severity of your stretch marks and their extent. Once he is satisfied that you are a good candidate, you will be scheduled for a series of laser treatments at intervals of several weeks. The sessions typically take a few minutes, and you will be able to return to your normal activities immediately following treatment. By spreading the treatment out, Dr. O will be able to achieve the highest level of success.

Learn More about Using Laser to Treat Stretchmarks

If you are interested in learning more about laser stretch mark treatment, contact us at 843.388.4939. We can schedule your free initial consultation, during which Dr. Sonny O and Sandy Clay, LPN, will go over your options and your expectations to see if you are a good candidate for this type of treatment. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

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