What are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks occur when the skin is stretched beyond the capacity it can handle and the underlying layers are torn, leaving indented, irregular areas that look purple or pink. This scar tissue often remains after the tissue returns to its non-stretched state. Pregnancy and rapid weight gain are most often to blame for the appearance of stretch marks.
Laser Surgery for Stretch Marks
Laser surgery is a common option for getting rid of stretch marks. A beam of light is passed over the affected area in order to remove layers of skin. The process is very subtle and virtually painless. As skin is removed, the scar tissue is removed as well, allowing new skin to grow and fill in the gaps where the damaged tissue was.
What's Involved in Treatments?
When undergoing laser stretch mark surgery, expect your sessions to last between ten minutes and an hour. It generally takes between two and six sessions to see results.
Cost of Procedure
Laser stretch mark removal can be quite costly, and is often not covered by insurance. In 2009, the procedure costs anywhere from $400 to $1500 per session, and several sessions are required.
