Stretch marks, also known as striae, are a form of dermal scarring. These indented streaks commonly appear on the lower abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, and breasts. While anyone can develop these marks, pregnant women are most commonly affected, especially during the last trimester.
Stretch marks are not usually painful or pose any risk to an individual’s health. However, most people do not like their appearance. Such people can benefit from stretch marks removal treatment.
Table of Contents
- 1 Common Causes of Stretch Marks
- 2 What are Stretch Marks Symptoms
- 3 Stretch Mark Treatments
- 4 Stretch Mark Removal Before and After
- 5 How Much Is the Cost of Stretch Marks Removal?
- 6 Is laser stretch mark removal painful?
- 7 Is laser stretch mark removal safe?
- 8 How long does it take for stretch marks to fade?
- 9 Meet our Expert Dermatologists
Common Causes of Stretch Marks
The leading cause of stretch marks is excessive stretching of the skin. And the severity of these marks depends on genetics and stress on the skin.
The high cortisol level in the body might also lead to stretch marks. Cortisol is a hormone that weakens the skin’s elastic fibers, making them more susceptible to breaking when stretched.
Some factors that increase the risk of stretch marks include:
- Being pregnant
- Puberty
- Sudden weight gain
- Being female
- Being overweight
- Using topical steroid creams
- Family history of stretch marks
What are Stretch Marks Symptoms
Common symptoms of stretch marks include:
- Indented lines or streaks on the tummy, buttocks, breast, hips, or other body areas
- Red, black, pink, purple, or blue lines or streaks
- Streaks that appear bright in the start but fade over time
- Streaks that appear on large body areas
Stretch marks vary from person to person, depending on the age of those marks, why they appeared, where they occurred, and the skin type.
Stretch Mark Treatments
Stretch marks, like other scars, are permanent. However, treatment will make these marks less noticeable and help reduce their itchiness.
Different treatment methods can be used to treat stretch marks. Here are the details of some of those treatments.
Laser Treatment
You can treat stretch marks with laser resurfacing. Fractional CO2 laser treatment is one of the most effective ways to reduce these marks. This treatment delivers pulses of energy which trigger cells to produce chemicals needed to enhance collagen production. This initiates a natural healing response that helps reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels can help break the excess connective tissue, decreasing the stretch mark appearance. They also trigger skin cell regeneration to fade these marks. The two most common chemical peeling solutions to treat stretch marks are glycolic acid and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion helps reduce the visibility of stretch marks painlessly. This procedure is performed through a wand-like device that sprays tiny crystals onto the skin. These crystals “sandblast” the top skin layer, reducing the appearance of stretch marks. It also triggers a natural cellular response that tightens collagen and elastin fibers in the skin.
Radiofrequency Treatment
Radiofrequency is an effective and comfortable stretch mark reduction technique. This treatment involves administering radiofrequency energy to the skin area with stretch marks. This energy penetrates the skin and reaches a particular depth to boost collagen production, remodeling the skin. This helps diminish stretch marks.
Stretch Mark Removal Before and After
How Much Is the Cost of Stretch Marks Removal?
The average cost of stretch mark removal in Dubai is 1575 AED. The exact price of the treatment depends on various factors, such as:
- Treatment method selected
- Skin type
- Size of the treatment area
- The severity of the stretch marks
- Number of treatment sessions
- Practitioner’s expertise
- The geographic location of the clinic
Is laser stretch mark removal painful?
Laser stretch mark removal is a comfortable procedure that causes only minor discomfort. You may experience slight redness and swelling, which last only a few days after the treatment.
Is laser stretch mark removal safe?
Laser stretch mark removal is a safe treatment with only a few side effects associated with its procedure. Those side effects may include:
- Skin irritation
- Redness
- Swelling
All these side effects are generally mild and go away on their own in a few days.
How long does it take for stretch marks to fade?
Stretch marks generally take six to twelve months to fade. With treatment, you can reduce these marks’ visibility much sooner.
Meet our Expert Dermatologists
Do you want to get rid of unsightly stretch marks on your body? Book a consultation at EuroMed Clinic Dubai by calling +971 4 394 5422 or filling out the form below.
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