Stretch marks are a common skin problem that occur through a combination of skin stretching and a hormone called cortisone. Cortisone is produced by the adrenal glands and circulates through your body, weakening fibers such as elastin and collagen. As skin stretches through weight gain or pregnancy, the weakened fibers reduce the skin's ability to snap back, resulting in stretch marks. Certain diseases and medications can also produce stretch marks. Regardless of how stretch marks are formed, there are several ways you can reduce their appearance.
Pulsed Dye Laser
Lasers play an important role in many stretch mark treatments. One example is the pulsed dye laser. This is a nonablative laser, meaning that it can penetrate deep into the skin instead of vaporizing the tissue on the surface of the skin. Pulsed dye lasers stimulate the growth of collagen and elastin fibers in the affected skin, which help reduce the look of stretch marks on the surface.
Fractional Photothermolysis
Another laser treatment that can be used on stretch marks is fractional photothermolysis. Like pulsed dye lasers, fractional photothermolysis uses a nonablative laser. However, instead of treating large areas of stretch marks, this treatment causes small fractional damage to target areas of skin tissue, resulting in collagen and elastin growth, as well as a faster healing time for the skin, states the Mayo Clinic.
Excimer Laser
An excimer laser can also be used to reduce the appearance of your stretch marks. Instead of focusing on collagen and elastin growth, the excimer laser works to change the color of the stretch marks to better fit in with the surrounding tissue. Excimer lasers work by causing a re-pigmentation of the stretch marks, according to the Berman Skin Institute. The laser does this by stimulating the production of the skin pigment melanin, which darkens the marks to better match the surrounding skin.
Tretinoin
Tretinoin, a potent retinoid derived from vitamin A, can be prescribed by your doctor to help treat stretch marks. When applied topically to the skin, tretinoin can help increase the production of collagen, reducing the appearance of stretch marks on the skin. Tretinoin should not be used if you are pregnant, and is typically only effective in stretch marks that are no older than six weeks old, states the Mayo Clinic.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion involves the use of abrasive crystals, such as aluminum or zinc oxide, on the stretch marks. These crystal sand down and resurface the outer layer of the marks. The new skin layer that replaces the removed skin is often more elastic, helping reduce the look of stretch marks on the skin.
