Laser removal of stretch marks is something that you need to research in depth before making the decision to go forward. Depending on the type of stretch marks you have, laser removal can make some definite changes in their appearance. No treatment on the market can make stretch marks completely disappear and return your skin to its original appearance, but it can make them a lot less noticeable. There is no perfect treatment out there but you can achieve amazing results with a series of laser removal treatments.
If you have red stretch marks then laser removal will make them appear less prominent and stop them from appearing inflamed. Inflammation is what causes the stretch marks in the first place, so use of the lasers helps to reduce the inflammation and minimize the appearance of the stretch marks. For white stretch marks, laser treatment provides the best possible results. When performing a series of treatments you generally achieve a 30-50% improvement in the appearance of the stretch marks.
With laser treatment there are some that say that it is very painful, but it all depends on your individual level of pain tolerance. The majority of patients say it is not a painful experience at all and continue treatments with no hesitation. Recovery times are normally short, and mainly involve some redness and swelling for a few days, but overall the downtime is pretty insignificant and recovery is not bad.
The cost of laser removal of stretch marks can be quite expensive depending on how many treatments you are going to require. For example, each treatment session ranges from $200-$700 and most patients will need to have several sessions to achieve the desired results. Before beginning, your doctor will generally discuss the number of treatments you are going to require and then discuss the options available to you. Some doctors will offer packages based on the number of treatments or even offer financing to help you afford the laser treatments. Since the removal of stretch marks is generally considered a cosmetic proceedure, insurance will not pay for it so these are generally the two alternatives available to you. It is always best to talk with your doctor before beginning any treatment to decide what’s best.
To avoid stretch marks in the future you should apply creams or oils to your skin if you are pregnant, or experiencing rapid weight gain.