Stretch marks are a common and often-despised blemish. They occur in the dermis, which is the middle layer of the skin whose elasticity helps skin maintain its shape. When skin is stretched by weight gain or growth spurts, the dermis can be damaged, resulting in stretch marks. Plenty of stretch mark treatments are on the market, but as of late 2010, only one laser treatment for this condition has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Lux 1540 Fractional Laser
In early 2010, laser manufacturer Palomar Medical Technologies Inc. received FDA approval on a laser meant for stretch mark removal, according to Real Self, a cosmetic surgery website. The Lux 1540 fractional laser handpiece delivers microbeams that penetrate into the dermis to initiate the healing of damaged skin and the formation of thicker and more elastic skin. You can get this treatment at laser clinics for $300 to $1,200 per session, depending on the area of the body being treated.
Benefits
The manufacturers of the Lux 1540 laser say it allows treating physicians to cover a relatively large area quickly, minimizes post-treatment pain and reduces the chance of infection to achieve optimum healing. The Lux 1540 uses non-ionizing radiation, so it doesn't carry the long-term risks of X-rays, according to the FDA.
Risks and Warnings
Minimal risks are associated with the Lux 1540 laser, since it doesn't cut the skin. But risks for all laser treatments include pain at the treatment site, infection, bleeding, scarring and the possibility of skin color changes.
References
- Daireds: New FDA Approval of Starlux for Stretch Marks
- The Medical News: FDA Approves First Laser Treatment for Stretch Marks
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Medical Lasers: Risks and Benefits
- Kovak Laser Institute: Palomar LUX 1540 Fractional Laser
- RealSelf: Lux 1540 FDA-Approved for Stretch Marks?
