Laser Stretch Mark Removal Toronto

Stretch marks (striae) are a type of scar that appears when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The fast change causes the elastin and collagen, which support our skin, to rupture. As a result it leads to narrow lines or streaks that appear on on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks or other places on the body.

This type of scarring happens when the skin cannot resume normal form after a period of intense growth, often due to pregnancy, weight gain, weight loss, or puberty.

Stretch marks aren’t painful or harmful. They often fade over time but they may never disappear completely ruining the overall appearance of your skin. Luckily, with a variety of stretch mark removal options form VS MedSpa Laser & Skin Clinic, your skin can be restored to feel smooth and silky again.

What causes stretch marks?

Extreme skin growth or shrinkage can cause stretch marks. The skin consists of three key layers. Stretch marks form in the dermis, or middle layer, when the connective tissue is stretched beyond the limits of its elasticity. This is normally due to rapid expansion or contraction of the skin.

As the body grows, the connecting fibers in the dermis slowly stretch to accommodate slow growth. However, rapid growth leads to sudden stretching. This causes the dermis to tear, allowing deeper layers of skin to show through. This can form stretch marks and contributes to the way they look.

Stretch marks are usually the result of the following factors:

Pregnancy

Between 50 and 90 percent of women who are pregnant experience stretch marks during or after birth. During pregnancy, your abdomen grows to accommodate the growing fetus, stretching the skin. This happens with the breasts too, as your breasts prepare to produce milk. Other areas of the body that can develop stretch marks during pregnancy include the thighs, hips, lower back, and buttocks. Some researchers believe pregnancy hormones make skin more vulnerable to tearing, causing the stretch marks. Stretch marks normally fade after the childbirth, but they may not disappear completely.

Puberty

Growth spurts among teenagers can also cause stretch marks. Puberty stretch marks can happen when quick growth or weight gain stretches the skin. They can occur in the abdomen, chest, hips, backs  and thighs. Because of the connective tissue and collagen in these areas, stretching too much causes the purple-reddish scars to appear.

Most people think that only girls get stretch marks. Although they are more common in girls, boys can get stretch marks too, especially those who lift weights and gain a lot of weight quickly.

Weight gain

Putting on a lot of weight in a short space of time can cause stretch marks. Gaining a lot of weight puts pressure on your skin, which has to stretch out to accommodate the increased body mass. Depending on where you gain excess pounds, red stretch marks could appear anywhere on the body. Sometimes stretch marks can also occur due to rapid weight loss.

Having a personal or family history of stretch marks

Stretch marks tend to run in families. If you are related to someone with them, you are more likely to get them yourself.

Underlying medical conditions

Stretch marks are often associated with rare conditions, such as Marfan Syndrome or Cushing’s Syndrome. Marfan Syndrome is a genetic disorder, which weakens your connective tissues, lessening their elasticity. Low elasticity means that the skin is not as resistant to stretch marks as they should be – they may occur on the hips, shoulders, and lower back. Cushing’s Syndrome is the result of overproduction of hormone cortisol, which is believed to cause stretch marks.

Corticosteroids

While intended for short-term usage, using corticosteroids for too long can lead to adverse side effects. They can induce inflammation in the body, leading to weight gain and stretched skin. Using over-the-counter hydrocortisone may also thin your skin over time, putting you at risk for stretch marks.

Do Stretch Marks Ever Go Away?

Many treatments have been created to get rid of stretch marks (also called striae distensae) and marketed as being successful in doing so. However, in most cases, stretch marks never really completely go away.

Stretch mark removal treatment options

There are types of treatments that can dramatically reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Those treatments include:

IPL laser treatment

IPL is a painless treatment with little to no downtime that can smooth your stretch marks and restore your skin’s natural look. A handheld device, which is controlled by the computer, is used for projecting broad-spectrum light pulses onto the target spot on the skin to do away with stretch marks. It uses different wavelengths of light for this. The light establishes skin contact and penetrates the skin to target and reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Each IPL session takes 15-30 minutes and leaves you with minor redness and swelling that goes away quickly. Within a few days, you’ll start to notice that the marks become less obvious while the surrounding area starts to blend.

Pixel fractional laser skin resurfacing

Fractional Laser Resurfacing is the gold standard laser technology for the treatment of stretch marks, reducing the appearance of stretch marks by up to 80%. Fractional Laser Resurfacing rejuvenates the skin by removing damaged skin cells with microscopic laser beams.

Microneedling

Microneedling treatment has been clinically shown to fade the appearance of scarring including stretch marks. Derma rollers gently open collagen fibers at the surface as they glide over the skin by breaking up the tough, stringy fibers that make up scar tissue. Your body also recognizes the minor physical changes introduced by the microneedles, and initiates a healing response. New, stronger, more elastic fibers replace the scar tissue, making your skin look smoother and feel more flexible.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an another painless procedure to reduce the appearance of white stretch marks. This procedure targets the upper layer of skin (epidermis), and works by stimulating the skin to tighten collagen and elastin fibers.

In the procedure, tiny exfoliating crystals are sprayed onto the affected area or a special tipped wand is rubbed over the area. Using a wand-like device, the crystals are gently removed, taking with them dead skin from the epidermis layer. For effective results, microdermabrasion needs to be repeated over a period of time.

Chemical Peels

These treatments also remove the outer layer of skin, with more intense effects. Chemical peels help with both tone and texture, reducing overall stretch mark appearance.

How much does stretch mark removal cost?

Pricing varies based on the technology used and package chosen. This will be discussed during your initial consultation. Contact one of our friendly booking consultants by calling (647) 352-7373 to discuss your available options and how much each treatment costs. We have a very affordable pricing.

How long does a laser stretch mark removal take?

Each stretch mark treatment takes approximately 50-60 minutes. Treatments are required, once every 4-6 weeks.⠀

Can stretch marks be completely removed?

Like any scar, stretch marks are permanent, but treatment may make them less noticeable and dramatically improve skin appearance. Optimal results are typically seen after 3-5 sessions spaced out in 4 – 6 week intervals.

Contact us now for professional stretch mark removal treatments and start restoring your confidence.