subject: Medical Procedures Used In Stretch Marks Removal [print this page] There are a lot of different treatments for stretch marks removal, but none of them promise a cure. However, treating these scars is only really for cosmetic reasons as they will have no harmful effects. Younger adolescents, who sometimes get these marks during growing pains, will usually see them diminish. Women, whose scars are pregnancy-related, will also see some diminishing as the scars turn from purple/red to gray or white. As a huge majority of pregnant women have them somewhere on their body, there is nothing to be ashamed of.
One type of stretch mark removal is by chemical peel. A peel removes several layers of dead skin so as to produce younger and healthier looking skin. Also the underlying collagen may produce smoother, scar-free skin layers. Some people dispute this method, and say that chemical peels result in even more skin damage and scarring. You may have to have another treatment 3-6 months later to see better results. You could find the procedure too painful for you. A bonus to consider though is that these peels can also result in younger and wrinkle-free skin.
Laser surgery is also popular when it comes to removing these blemishes, but it is also one of the most expensive options. Generally, patients need 5 or 6 treatments before they see any results, although studies have found that this is the best treatment to remove the reddish-purple marks. The laser penetrates down to the troubled layer of skin in order to stimulate the growth of new tissue and improve the general appearance of the skin.
Microdermabrasion is another popular treatment. It results in people having a much healthier skin tone. This method is like having a 30-minute spa treatment. The skin is bombarded with crystals of aluminum oxide, removing the outermost layer of dead skin with a soft suction. New, healthy skin then grows, replacing any scarred or wrinkled skin. Most people find they get the best results if they have 5-12 treatments 2-3 weeks apart.
If the scars are very bad then there are some more advanced options to choose from. For example, a tummy tuck will combat any skin that will not go back to normal after a pregnancy, thus removing the stretched area completely. The time to recover from this type of procedure is a lot longer and significantly more expensive than other methods. Quite often a scar will appear due to the surgery that is even worse than the those removed. Even so the experts believe this is the most efficient method of getting rid of damaged skin.
If you are looking for a cheaper option there are creams available. The problem is that there is not any evidence that these products actually work. Success varies depending on a number of factors, such as age, diet and the severity of the marks. Some women swear by these products, and some offer money-back guarantees.
Because they are not regarded as a health risk, any surgery will not covered by your health insurance. Some surgeons will offer financing options to help with the costs, but it still will not be cheap. Tummy tuck surgeries are the most expensive, with creams working out as the cheapest option.
