Stretch Mark Solutions
Stretch marks are harmless, but because there is a cosmetic concern that is associated with them, many people seek stretch mark solutions rather than simply living with these unattractive scars. Stretch marks do not require any kind of medical treatment, and what stretch mark solutions are available are typically only partially effective meaning that they will not be able to completely remove stretch marks but rather will only make them slightly less visible in the long run. Some people have considered cosmetic surgery and other cosmetic options for removing stretch marks, but these are also not perfectly effective. Visiting a cosmetic surgery center may give you increased options, but no option is going to completely remove your stretch marks, and your cosmetic plastic surgeon should tell you this.
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Here are some of the other treatments that are available to you for improving upon the appearance of your stretch marks.
Pulsed Dye Laser Therapy
This is not like laser surgery, but rather involves using wavelengths of light that are non ablative or non wounding. This specific type of laser therapy is designed to remodel the underlying dermis or skin by stimulating both the growth of collagen as well as elastic. This therapy tends to be at its most effective level when the stretch marks are brand new, but it can also be effective on older ones as well.
Tretinoin Cream
Research has shown the ability of Rein-A or Renova, also known as Tretinoin cream to improve the appearance of stretch marks that are recent, which means that they must be less than six weeks old and they must be either red or pink in color. Tretinoin should absolutely never be used when the patient is pregnant. When it works, Tretinoin allows collagen to be rebuilt which makes the stretch marks look more like your normal skin. Tretinoin is not effective when the stretch marks are older.
Fractional Photothermolysis
Just like with pulsed dye laser therapies, this is a non ablative laser treatment that is designed to use light wavelengths in order to stimulate the growth of new elastic as well as collagen. The difference with these stretch mark solutions is that partial or fractional damage is caused to small dot like areas that are within a specific area. Because most of the patient’s treatment area is going to remain completely undamaged, the skin will heal much more quickly just as if the entire area had been completely treated.
Microdermabrasion
This is one of the more popular stretch mark solutions, which involves a hand held device that blows out crystals into the affected skin. The crystals polish or gently abrade the surface of the skin. This is designed to gently remove the topmost layer of the skin before a vacuum removes the skin cells and the crystals afterward. When new skin grows it is generally more elastic.
