Stretch Marks
The treatment of stretch marks has long been one of the more difficult challenges for dermatologists. Because a stretch mark is the result of a "tear" in the dermis, superficial treatments have traditionally had little effect.
With the FDA approval of the Lux 1540 Fractional Laser
for the treatment of stretch marks, patients can now have
access to a proven laser treatment that will reduce the
appearance of these marks. Over 80% of the population
eventually experience stretch marks and both men and women,
and adolescents all are affected.
Where do stretch marks
come from?
- Growth spurts
- Puberty
- Hormones
- Pregnancy
- Skin stretching from body building
- Weight Gain
- Weight Loss (especially quick loss from gastric bypass or lap band)
- Topical Steroids
Stages of a stretch mark
Initially a stretch mark shows as a reddish line in the
skin. Most often this will be in areas of the hips, abdomen,
breasts and thighs. Because the dermal layer of the skin has
separated and the collagen fibers no longer connect, the
skin integrity is lost. Over time the color changes,
the redness diminishes and the mark turns silvery or white. Red stretch
marks in their early stages can be treated to some degree
with topical products to keep the surrounding skin pliable
so further separation of tissue is minimized. Laser at this time is also possible.
Once the marks are mature (white or silver in appearance) the only viable treatment is fractional laser. This is where the Lux 1540 fractional laser comes to use.
How does the Lux 1540 lessen stretch marks?
Fractional nonablative lasers don't remove skin, they
super-heat the skin to purposefully cause a controlled skin
injury beneath the surface. The body's response to this
purposeful heat injury is to produce new collagen. The new
collagen then begins to interweave within the tissue
surrounding the stretch mark, and potentially below it, and
to some degree partially "rebuilds" the compromised dermal tears to bring the edges tighter together. Melanin cells from undamaged skin surrounding the marks migrate to help recolor the stretch mark scar - not completely, but even small changes in color help diminish appearance differences. The end result is a fainter, finer
stretch mark line with a smoother surface and more normal
looking skin.
Does the stretch mark completely disappear?
Nothing yet has been developed to completely remove stretch marks, but the Lux
1540 is the first FDA approved laser for the improvement in stretch mark
appearance. Sequential laser sessions provide increasing levels of improvement.
How many treatments will I need?
Patients in the clinical studies typically had three initial sessions over a period of three months. Because the changes are going on deep within the skin tissues, improvement takes time. At 6 months you will be evaluated and photographed. At 12 months, if your stretch mark appearance is deemed to be further treatable, a 2nd set of sessions can be undertaken.
Patient Compliance To lessen the potential for post treatment hyperpigmentation, you will pretreat the area with a pigmentation suppression solution for 1 month. Following your sessions and for 6 months, you will continue the topical treatments. You MUST keep the area out of the sun and you should not wear tight clothing in the treated area. Best results will only be obtained by following the post treatment regimen.
Current Special Promo $150 per session block (Session blocks are 15 minutes each - required number of session blocks depend upon area size)
Photos of Stretch Mark patients - Courtesy of Palomar Medical
FDA Approval of Lux 1540 Fractional Laser for Stretch Marks
Call our conveniently located Larchmont Avenue office in Los Angeles to book your complimentary comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Fitzgerald. (323) 464-8046
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