Plus, after doing my research, most doctors admit lasers are the most effective way to rid stretch marks (barring a tummy tuck). I didn’t notice a difference at first, but over time, I can definitely tell the lasers are working. However, it is best to avoid direct sun exposure to the treated area, so I had to turn down a trip to the beach that weekend.įor smaller areas (just a few marks), expect to pay about $250, and for larger surfaces, $500. I only noticed a bit of redness afterward for a few hours, and I had no downtime whatsoever-I went back to work immediately following the procedure. It was by no means comfortable, but it was tolerable-like warm snaps of a rubber band. I was instructed to take an Advil beforehand, so I was worried about what kind of painful situation I was about to embark on. I went in for the first one and was pleasantly surprised. Wells suggests a minimum of three treatments scheduled about a month apart to see results.
For me, it was always fairly quick, which made the appointments even easier. Generally, several treatments are needed, but we have treated hundreds of stretch marks and have seen very significant improvement in their appearance using these modalities.”Įach laser procedure is generally 15 to 30 minutes long, depending on the area you’re looking to treat. We offer this proprietary product called Scott Wells MD Hy-Pep ($90).
#Get rid of stretch marks skin#
The very best product, in my opinion, is a hyaluronic acid serum, which can absorb and hold in the skin hundreds of times its weight in water, thereby greatly increasing the skin's elastic tolerance. At the same time, collagen-building lasers, such as the Palomar 1540 and Deep IR Lasers, are employed to stimulate dermal repair.
Patients are placed on a skincare regimen that helps to support the rebuilding and restructuring of the dermis. He explains, “Since stretch marks are actually an area of the skin where the collagen is damaged, treatments to improve stretch marks are directed at rebuilding the integrity of the collagen in the area of the mark. Wells suggested a skincare cocktail to accompany a round of laser treatments to best fade stretch marks. So we investigated.Īccording to Scott Wells, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in New York known for his holistic approach, stretch marks appear as an area of weakness in the skin underneath an intact epidermis layer. And though they are technically scars, their appearance doesn't have to be as permanent as the word might imply. We can embrace body positivity and still try out the various treatments available to smooth them out.
That being said, feeling proud of your body (including all its curves and edges) and wanting to reduce the appearance of stretch marks don’t have to be mutually exclusive. After all, stretch marks are extremely common, completely natural, and as all scars do, tell a story. While some search for ways to get rid of stretch marks, there are just as many people who couldn't be more unbothered by them. Puberty, pregnancy, sudden weight gain or loss, and genetics can all have a hand in etching these striated scars into the skin. Over the years, many of us develop stretch marks for a variety of reasons.