Laser Surgery Against Stretch Marks

Stretch marks are purple or red lines or bands that appear on the skin. The marks are glossy in appearance and may be depressed into the skin. These marks tend to fade over time, but may still be noticeable. You may wish to seek treatment to improve the appearance of your stretch marks. Laser treatments may help improve the appearance of stretch marks.

Causes

According to MedlinePlus, stretch marks, or striae as they are also known, have various causes. Expansion of the skin in pregnancy, rapid growth in puberty and fast weight gain can all contribute to stretch marks. Certain medical conditions, particularly those that affect the adrenal glands, such as Cushing syndrome, can cause stretch marks. Overuse of cortisone creams and diabetes can also contribute to stretch marks.

Types

There are three different types of laser therapy available to treat striae. Two of these, fractional photothermolysis and pulsed dye laser therapy, attempt to stimulate two skin proteins: elastin and collagen. These proteins are essential for healthy skin production and, when stimulated, may promote the healing of damaged skin. The third type, eximer laser therapy, stimulates the pigment known as melanin.

Effects

Laser therapy, when used appropriately, may improve the appearance of striae. Pulsed dye laser therapy may be effective on newly formed stretch marks, as it encourages new skin turnover. It is less suitable for darker skin, according to a study published in the December 2000 issue of "Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery," based on research by Drs. Tina S. Alster and Christiane Handrick. Fractional photothermolysis will have much the same effect. Eximer laser therapy encourages the stretch marks to change to a color closer to the skin on the surrounding area, through the stimulus of melanin.

Efficacy

A review of the different treatments of stretch marks, published in "Dermatological Surgery," by Drs. Mohamed L Elsaie, Leslie S. Baumann and Loft T. Elsaaiee, found that laser therapy showed great promise in the treatment of stretch marks. However, the use and success of fractional photothermolysis in the treatment of striae is promising, but not well researched. Pulsed dye laser therapy is most effective on new stretch marks and may not improve their appearance on dark skin. The pigmentation change caused by eximer laser may not be permanent.

Considerations

There is no single therapy recommended for the treatment of striae. The treatment of stretch marks is in still in its infancy, but, without further research, it is not possible to predict which laser therapy may prove to be the most effective.