Stretch marks are a type of scar that develops when our skin stretches quickly. The abrupt change causes the skin’s supportive structure containing collagen and elastin to rupture. As the skin heals, stretch marks may appear which like any any scar are permanent.
Various treatment options are offered to make stretch marks less noticeable by stimulating collagen and elastin production to rebuild the skin’s supportive structure, but none of them can completely get rid of the stretch marks. Furthermore, multiple treatments are needed and often a combination of treatment modalities are used throughout the treatment course.
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure involving superficial and controlled puncturing of the skin by gliding a pen containing miniature needles. The micro-punctures creates micro-injuries that lead to minimal superficial bleeding and trigger a wound healing cascade with release of various growth factors which will result in new collagen formation and skin tightness. Microneedling is a very safe procedure in dark skin type due to low risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The down time is minimal for microrneedling.
Pre- and Post treatment care: sun protection and avoidance, avoid any type of exfoliation or chemical peels, and use of gentle skin moisturizer and facial wash to keep the skin calm and hydrated.
Price: starts at $200 per treatment
RF microneedling utilizes ultrafine needles to penetrate the skin up to 3 millimeters deep while at the same time emitting high intensity radio-frequency waves at the tip to produce thermal energy. The process creates microscopic trauma of the skin to stimulate a repair response which includes production of new collagen and elastin.
A serum in form of exosomes or your own platelet-rich plasma (PRP) concentrated in growth factors and specified nutrients that will help to build that new collagen and elastin more quickly will be administered immediately afterwards. This results in smoother, firmer, and more even-toned, collagen-rich skin.
The new skin that grows back is thicker, firmer, and smoother with a more even-tone.
Price: starts at $500
Fractional laser is a device that delivers precise micro-beams of laser light to the lower layers of the skin creating deep narrow columns of tissue coagulation while leaving parts of the skin intact. Coagulated tissue in the treated area will stimulate a natural healing process that result in growth of healthy new tissue containing collagen and elastin. The procedure can be used on the face, neck, chest, arms, and hands. There is minimal discomfort and 1-2 days of downtime with the treatment . The results are long lasting but a series of treatments may be required to achieve the desired results.
Pre- and Post treatment care: sun protection and avoidance, avoid any type of exfoliation or chemical peels. Use a gentle skin moisturizer and facial wash to keep the skin calm and hydrated.
Price: starts at $400 per treatment