Nobody likes stretch marks. In fact, the word hate is probably a good way to describe how those who have stretch marks feel about them. And since only a small percentage of the population is immune to stretch marks, chance are good that most of us will have to deal with them at some point – whether through normal growth spurts, pregnancy, or weight gain.
At first, stretch marks may not look too bad, appearing as flat red lines. But over time, they turn into mildly depressed white streaks. Common places that stretch marks appear are your underarms, arms, stomach, hips, buttocks, inner and outer thighs. Sadly, without treatment, stretch marks don’t go away.
What Causes Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks are actually scars. When you grow quickly, the elastic fibers of the dermis of your skin stretch in response causing inflammation and eventually scarring (stretch marks). Certain medical conditions can also cause or exacerbate stretch marks. Although stretch marks are not harmful, they often itch and cause embarrassment to people who have them.
Many people find stretch marks unsightly and want to be rid of them. Unfortunately, creams and lotions don’t work. You may have experienced the frustration of trying to eliminate stretch marks on your own to no avail.
Should you give up and just learn to live with them? Absolutely not! Thanks to the wonders of modern laser technology the appearance of stretch marks can be drastically diminished through a series of outpatient treatments.
How it Works.
During treatment, the laser releases energy over your stretch marks, which helps your skin’s dermis produce healthy new collagen and elastin. Topical anesthetic can be helpful to lessen the sensation of the treatment, which is typically 15 – 45 minutes in length.
Most people achieve optimal results in three to six sessions. Laser stretch mark treatment has few side effects – you may experience temporary redness and swelling at the site, but you can typically resume your normal activities immediately following the procedure.
No matter how you acquired your stretch marks, you don’t have to live with them forever. If you would like to know what Dermatology Associates can do for your stretch marks, click here to schedule a consultation.
Dermatology Associates offers a full spectrum of leading edge medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology services from offices in Savannah and Vidalia.
What Can You Do About Stretch Marks?
