Stretch Mark Removal in Irvine, CA
Stretch marks are a normal part of life. They appear at different stages as our bodies grow and transform throughout puberty, pregnancy, and weight fluctuations. But wanting to get rid of your stretch marks is just as normal. They can be a source of low self-esteem and make you insecure about showing your body in public. The good news is that you don’t have to live with stretch marks if you don’t want to. At Southern California Aesthetic Surgery, we offer stretch mark removal treatments that can improve the tone, texture, and appearance of your skin — no staples or stitches needed!
Stretch Marks Removal
What Are Stretch Marks?
A stretch mark, medically known as striae, is a type of scar that develops when the skin is stretched too far or too quickly. These sudden changes cause the collagen and elastin fibers — which give your skin its firmness and elasticity — to tear. As they heal, streaky, dark scars begin to appear.
Anyone can develop stretch marks, including men, women, teens, and older children. However, being pregnant, having a family history, using corticosteroids, and certain medical conditions like Cushing’s syndrome can make you more likely to develop stretch marks.
Treatments
Stretch Mark Removal Treatments
Stretch marks are notoriously hard to remove. There are thousands of over-the-counter products like creams, gels, and patches for preventing or erasing stretch marks, but they rarely do either. At-home lasers have also become quite popular in the past couple of years, but they aren’t strong enough to trigger enough collagen production at the deeper layers of the skin.
The fastest, yet most invasive method, for removing stretch marks is getting them surgically excised during a thigh lift, tummy tuck, or other similar procedures. But there are also non-invasive alternatives, including a combination of prescription topical treatments and laser, that can dramatically improve the appearance of stretch marks without the risks or downtime associated with surgery.
Laser Stretch Mark Removal
Laser stretch mark removal involves using concentrated rays of light to stimulate new skin growth and reduce the appearance of skin imperfections. There are several types of skin lasers that can improve stretch marks, including ablative and non-ablative. Ablative lasers remove the top layer of the skin, while non-ablative lasers work by heating up the deeper skin tissues.
At Southern California Aesthetic Surgery, we use a highly effective type of ablative laser technology called Fractionated CO2 laser therapy. This groundbreaking technique uses a carbon dioxide beam that gets broken up into thousands of microscopic shafts of light to penetrate deep into the layers of the skin.
When the device heats the deeper layers of the skin, it promotes collagen growth from the inside out, making the skin repair and regenerate itself. After several weeks, the new skin that surfaces from within will be smoother and tighter, thereby visibly reducing the appearance of stretch marks.
Benefits
Benefits of Laser Stretch Mark Removal
CO2 fractional laser is one of the most effective therapies for improving stretch marks. Its top benefits include:
- Non-invasive treatment
- No downtime
- Comfortable treatment sessions
- Appropriate for all skin tones
- Improves skin texture and evens skin tone
- Stimulates collagen growth for a plumper, firmer skin
- Can be used in virtually all areas of the body, including the arms, abdomen, upper thighs, breast, back, and buttocks
- Incredible stretch mark removal results after just three treatments
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Preparation
Preparing for Laser Stretch Mark Removal
During your initial consultation, Dr. Hojjat will meet with you personally to assess the condition of your skin and recommend the best treatment for your specific needs. Laser stretch mark removal is more effective when performed in combination with prescription topical treatments. So, at this appointment, you’ll also receive a personalized treatment plan to help prepare your skin for laser sessions.
Stretch Mark Removal Treatment And Aftercare
The laser session itself only takes between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on the size of the area and the number of areas treated. You can expect to feel a mild prickling sensation, similar to a rubber band snapping against your skin, but most patients don’t report feeling any pain. Your doctor can also apply a topical numbing cream to reduce discomfort, if necessary.
Since CO2 fractional laser can be utilized with lower settings in multiple sessions, there’s generally little to no downtime following the procedure. You’ll be able to resume your normal activities immediately after your treatment, though it’s important that you keep the area clean and avoid excessive sweating until the area is completely healed.
Some patients notice a little swelling and tenderness similar to a sunburn after each laser treatment. This is normal and goes away on its own within a few days. To ease discomfort, you can apply a cold pack wrapped in a clean towel or cloth twice a day for the first few days.
Sessions
Follow-Up Stretch Mark Removal Sessions
You’ll start seeing changes 4 to 6 weeks after your treatment, though most people need at least three to five sessions to see exceptional results. These follow-up procedures are typically scheduled 1-3 months apart to give your body enough time to heal and increase its natural collagen supply.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Stretch Mark Removal
Stretch marks happen when your body grows or shrinks too quickly for any reason. The most common causes of stretch marks include:
• Growth spurts during puberty. These stretch marks typically appear around the breast, hip, abdomen, and flank areas — some puberty stretch marks fade with time
• Rapid weight gain, including bodybuilding
• Pregnancy
• Breast implant surgery
• Taking steroids
New stretch marks may appear slightly raised and red or purplish-blue. They tend to be bright and itchy at first, but they turn pink or silvery over time and end up looking more like flat, pale streaks.
There’s no way to completely avoid stretch marks, but there are things you can do to lower your chances of getting them. For example, staying hydrated keeps your skin moisturized and elastic, and moisturized skin is less likely to develop stretch marks than dry skin. And maintaining a healthy weight, especially during pregnancy, can also help.
You can also reduce your likelihood of getting stretch marks by:
• Not smoking
• Avoiding anabolic steroid use
• Eating a healthy diet
• Wearing sunscreen
Laser stretch mark removal isn’t painful, but you might feel mild discomfort, similar to a slightly warm, prickling sensation. If you feel pain at any point during the procedure, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor about a topical anesthetic or to take a break! In some cases, a cooling fan might be used to alleviate the heating sensation.
Laser treatments permanently improve the appearance of stretch marks but don’t prevent new ones from developing. Completing all the sessions that your doctor recommends is the best way to maintain your results over time and address new stretch marks before they become harder to treat.
Good candidates for laser stretch mark removal include women and men who wish to get rid of stretch marks anywhere in the body. The therapy is safe and effective for most skin types, including those with very light and very dark skin. However, it’s important that you see a provider that has experience treating different skin tones to get the best results possible.
Yes! One of the greatest things about fractional lasers is that they target tiny sections of tissue at a time, rather than covering an entire surface area at once. This lowers the risk for discoloration and skin damage, making it appropriate for all skin tones. Modern lasers can also be customized to most skin types, including dark skin.
Fractional laser is considered a safe non-invasive therapy for improving the appearance of stretch marks. However, like any cosmetic treatment, there’s always some risk associated with the procedure. Although rare, potential side effects include:
• Scarring
• Burns
• Skin infections
• Hyperpigmentation
• Reactivation of cold sores or fever blisters
If you live near Irvine, CA, Socal Aesthetic Surgery offers stretch mark removal among its services and is conveniently located at 113 waterworks way, Suite #100, Irvine, CA 92618.
Irvine, CA
Fall In Love With the Skin You’re In
While you can absolutely love your body and have stretch marks (and you should!), it’s completely natural to want to reduce their appearance to feel more comfortable in your skin. Call SoCal Aesthetic surgery at (949-996-3274) or click here to schedule a consultation with Dr. Homer Hojjatclick here to schedule a consultation with Dr. Homer Hojjat, and learn more about the latest non-invasive procedures for removing stretch marks today.
ADDRESS:
113 waterworks way, Suite #100
Irvine, CA 92618
PHONE:
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Mon-Friday: 09:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat-Sun: Closed
