Q.
Ever since I had my children several years ago, I’ve had very prominent stretch marks on my tummy. None of the creams and lotions I’ve tried have worked. Are there any treatments that can permanently remove stretch marks?
A.
We hear this question a lot at Southern Surgical Arts—in part because stretch marks are so common, especially among women who have had children. We also get this question from patients who have developed stretch marks because they have quickly gained or lost a significant amount of weight for reasons other than pregnancy, or experienced rapid growth during puberty.
You are also more likely to develop stretch marks over the course of your life if you are fair-skinned, have a family history of stretch marks, have certain adrenal disorders such as Cushing’s Disease, or use steroids to build muscle mass rapidly.
Unfortunately, there is no perfect remedy for stretch marks. In fact, no reputable cosmetic or plastic surgeon will promise to remove them. We hope technology will exist in the future to eliminate these scars as it would certainly be in demand! In the meantime, we do offer two treatments that can minimize the appearance of stretch marks and help you love your skin more.
1. Vbeam Pulsed Dye Laser—This laser treatment is very effective at reducing redness in “fresh” stretch marks. Time will eventually fade the color of stretch marks, but for those who are ready for them to be less visible ASAP, the Vbeam pulsed dye laser is an excellent option. The cooling “mist” feature also keeps this treatment comfortable during each pulse of the laser.
2. MesoPen—This “skin pen” microneedling treatment has provided remarkable results in our practice at Southern Surgical Arts. The pen creates tiny holes in the skin, which the skin “perceives” as injuries. This triggers the skin’s natural repair response to produce collagen and elastin, creating smoother skin. Although it works best on fresh, red marks, the aestheticians at Southern Surgical Arts are very impressed with improvements to texture and appearance of older stretch marks as well.
If you would like to see if you are a candidate for either of these treatments, please call our office at 423-266-3331 for more information or to make an appointment.
