Skin treatment

Removal of stretch marks

Stretch marks are scars on the skin due to internal micro-ruptures secondary to pregnancy, abrupt changes in body weight, hormonal changes and skin overdistension. Removal of stretch marks is now possible due to laser medicine.

It is possible to remove stretch marks completely or almost completely with the advent of fractional lasers. The doctors at Confido Laser Treatment Centre, the first laser medicine centre in Estonia, have specialised in the removal of stretch marks since 2002. We have accumulated and systematised extensive experience in this area. Since 2018, we have had separate equipment in the clinic for the removal of stretch marks.

The causes of the stretch marks are:

• Pregnancy, delivery
• Abrupt changes in body weight
• Hormonal changes in the organism
• Overdistension of the skin
• Hereditary predisposition
• Use of anabolic agents and corticosteroids

The most common causes of stretch marks in women are pregnancy and delivery. Stretch marks in men are also possible and are more often associated with professional sports. Stretch marks may appear as early as the age of 15. Predisposition to stretch marks is inherited genetically.

Stretch marks usually do not pose health risks, but they may be a symptom of a more serious disease, especially if the stretch marks first appeared during adulthood.

Stretch marks cause serious psychological discomfort and reduce the quality of life of their owners because they are unappealing and difficult to hide with something other than clothing.

The most common localisations of stretch marks are:

• Stretch marks in the umbilical area of the abdomen
• Stretch marks on the lateral sides of the abdomen
• Stretch marks on the hips
• Stretch marks on the breasts
• Stretch marks on the buttocks
• Stretch marks on the lower legs
• Stretch marks on the back
• Stretch marks on the shoulders

Other localisations of stretch marks are less common. The usual colour of stretch marks ranges from white to red-purple. Stretch marks are almost always heterogeneously pigmented and differ from the surrounding skin, nor do they tan evenly with the surrounding skin.

Stretch marks in different zones, even in one person, differ in structure, and the doctor takes this into consideration during treatment.Immature marks are stretch marks which appeared less than six months ago, while mature stretch marks are older.

The types of the stretch marks include:

• Hypotrophic stretch marks (tissue receding)
• Normotrophic stretch marks (even with the skin)
• Hypertrophic stretch marks (tissue augmentation)

Laser removal of stretch marks

If stretch marks have appeared, they will not disappear by themselves. In the same way as normal scars on the body, stretch marks do not have a tendency for spontaneous regression. However, laser procedures may significantly reduce them and make them virtually indistinguishable.

At Confido Laser Treatment Centre, there is not only one laser technique for the removal of stretch marks, but a number of them. We use the following modern laser devices for the hardware removal of stretch marks:

• Lumenis Ultra Pulse Encore
• DEKA nanofractional CO2 laser
• Q-switched Nd:Yag laser
• Lumenis M22
• Lumenis ResurFx

The doctor makes the choice of a particular technique or a combination of techniques depending on the localisation, stage and type of stretch marks as well as the individual characteristics of the patient. The techniques are selected in accordance with the patient’s age and history, the type and stage of the stretch marks, the presence of concomitant diseases, the condition of the skin, the pigmentation of the stretch marks, the presence of blood vessels in the scars and other factors.

Before the procedure

A face-to-face detailed consultation is held before the procedure, during which the patient receives all the necessary information. The procedures cannot be performed on skin with a fresh tan or inflammatory changes.

Procedure for the laser removal of stretch marks

The fractional laser removal of stretch marks (laser resurfacing of stretch marks) is the most commonly used technique. This procedure for the treatment of stretch marks:

• on efektiivne, sageli on tulemusi näha juba pärast esimesi protseduure;
• is effective, and the result is often visible even after the first procedures;
• has a limited period of rehabilitation;
• has a rejuvenating and tightening effect on the skin;
• is comfortable; and
• is safe.

During the fractional laser removal of stretch marks, thousands of superficial microholes are made in the skin, and the process of restoring of the skin and the synthesis of your own collagen is started. As a result, the skin becomes tighter, denser and more elastic; the skin laxity and size of the stretch marks decrease significantly with each procedure and they become progressively less noticeable.

Anaesthetic is applied to the skin 30-50 minutes before the procedure. The procedure usually takes 5-20 minutes and a bandage is applied after the procedure.

After the procedure

After fractional laser resurfacing, the skin is restored over the course of 1-2 weeks. Individual recommendations for the treated surface are provided to the patient (the surface should not be washed for two days; it should be treated regularly with dexpanthenol or another recommended agent; pools, saunas, solariums, massages, tanning and intensive sports should be avoided for two weeks; it is recommended to use sun cream).

Course of the laser removal of stretch marks

The next procedure is scheduled in 4-8 weeks, and the course of the removal of stretch marks on average consists of 4-9 laser procedures depending on the degree of damage to the skin and the individual characteristics of the body.

If necessary, the doctor may advise additional methods of treatment (such as removing pigment from scars).

The course of the procedure does not impose significant restrictions on the usual way of life of the patient and can be carried out at any time of the year but with strict adherence to the doctor’s recommendations.

Course of the laser removal of stretch marksKorduma kippuvad küsimused venitusarmide eemaldamise kohta laseriga

Frequently asked questions about the laser removal of stretch marks

Question: Is it possible to remove stretch marks so that nothing is left on the skin?

Doctor’s answer: The most correct answer is no. A stretch mark is a connective tissue scar embedded deeply in the skin, so even with an ideal external cosmetic result – when the stretch marks are not visible to the eye – the scar often remains within the skin.

Question: If I remove the stretch marks and get pregnant, will they appear again?

Doctor’s answer: This is unknown. Stretch marks are a protective mechanism of our skin; due to microruptures, the skin can avoid complete rupture. Therefore, during pregnancy, abrupt weight gain or severe hormonal disorders, stretch marks may appear again. However, if you undergo a course of procedures for the removal of stretch marks, your skin has become more elastic and it is likely that there will be fewer new stretch marks.

Question: I have had stretch marks removed once before, after my first pregnancy. Is it possible to perform this procedure again after the second delivery?

Doctor’s answer: Yes. The course of procedures can be done repeatedly.

Question: Is it painful?

Doctor’s answer: No, the procedure is painless. An anaesthetic agent is applied to the skin 40 minutes before the procedure.

Question: Is the result permanent or should the procedure be repeated later?

Doctor’s answer: The result of the procedure is persistent and stretch marks do not reappear unless the patient gains weight, becomes pregnant or undergoes hormonal changes.

Question: In other clinics, the removal of stretch marks is more expensive. Why it is cheaper at your clinic?

Doctor’s answer: The problem of stretch marks is very unpleasant, especially for women. We want to make this important service widespread and therefore allocated separate equipment for this in 2018. We hope that due to the large number of patients, we can keep prices low to ensure that as many women as possible can return to their normal way of life, wearing the beautiful swimsuits and low-cut dresses they like.

Dr Alexander Uskov

HEAD OF CONFIDO LASERRAVI CLINIC, LASER MEDICINE DOCTOR

Tallinn

Laura Nulk-Uskov

Dermatology and laser therapy nurse

Tallinn