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Cosmetic Specialties |
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| Therapies For |
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| Anti-Aging |
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| Skin Rejuvenation |
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| Body Sculpting |
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Stretch Marks
What are Stretch Marks?
Typical Treatments
FAQs
Almost everyone has stretch marks. Unfortunately, no one likes the
way they look — even if they’re a "badge of honor" for women who’ve
survived pregnancy, or a telltale sign of an adolescent growth spurt.
Considerable energy has been invested in efforts to get rid of stretch
marks, with less than satisfactory results. Topical creams, the most
popular conventional treatment, have left most people wondering, "Why
did I bother in the first place?"
There are two basic varieties of stretch marks: white and red.
Older, mature stretch marks are commonly white or silver-colored; newer
stretch marks tend to be reddish or purple in color. Light-based
technologies are now available to treat both types of stretch marks
non-invasively, allowing them to gently fade into memory — where most
people think they belong.
What are Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks closely resemble scars. In fact, stretch marks are the
most common types of skin lesions. About 90% of pregnant women get
stretch marks. They also affect 70% of adolescent females and about 40%
of young males. In medical terminology, stretch marks are called
striae. Mature stretch marks are devoid of color, and newer stretch
marks are often red or purplish in color.
Stretch marks develop when the skin is excessively stretched,
damaging the collagen fibers and proteins in the underlying skin layer
called the dermis. Scientists believe that shattering of collagen leads
to dilation of small blood vessels (called capillaries) that results in
red or purple-colored early stretch marks. Inflammation and collagen
remodeling may lead to the loss of pigment-producing, melanocyte cells
or obscuring of melanin pigment. Over time, this lack of pigment
results in the white or hypopigmented scars that most people associate
with mature stretch marks. Stretch marks are a form of leukoderma.
Growth spurts and sudden or excessive weight gain cause stretch
marks to form in young people. Young women commonly get them on their
breasts, thighs, hips and buttocks. Young men often develop stretch
marks from participating in certain body-altering sports such as
weightlifting or from the use of dangerous bodybuilding steroid drugs.
Women commonly develop stretch marks on their lower abdomen in the last
months of pregnancy.
There is nothing that can prevent the formation of stretch marks —
especially during pregnancy or during a growth spurt. Creams and
lotions may ease the itchy sensation associated with stretch marks, but
they won't keep them from forming.
Typical Treatments
For years topical creams have been used to treat the appearance of
stretch marks; unfortunately they have yielded less than satisfactory
results.
Topical formulations containing retinoids (vitamin A-derivatives)
can be effective in treating early, red, inflammatory stretch marks,
but they have proven to be ineffective in improving the appearance of
mature stretch marks.
Applications of glycolic acid and creams with L-ascorbic acid on a
daily basis may slightly improve the appearance of mature, white
stretch marks. Overall, however, results have been disappointing.
Both early and mature stretch marks respond to new light-based
technologies providing non-invasive, gentle treatments that can help
affected skin more closely match its natural color.
Mature Stretch Marks Treatment Option: ReLume™ Phototherapy
 ReLume
is the first technological breakthrough to offer a practical treatment
solution for leukoderma (literally, "white skin") skin conditions in
which pigment loss has occurred. ReLume combines the benefits of safe
and effective UV phototherapy with the latest advances in targeted
light technology to achieve selective repigmentation of hypopigmented
skin. The procedure is painless and safe for all skin types.
Treatments using ReLume are fast and non-invasive. Many people
schedule appointments during their lunch hours. Patients usually
require brief sessions once or twice a week; improvement in the
appearance of mature stretch marks is routinely achieved within six to
fifteen treatments.
Red Stretch Marks Treatment Option: Intense Pulsed Light™ (IPL)
Many physicians are finding IPL a successful approach for reducing
the appearance of hyperpigmented (dark red) scars, including new
stretch marks. This non-invasive, gentle approach uses targeted flashes
of light to treat dilated and broken blood vessels without injuring the
surrounding healthy skin.
Practitioners determine an IPL treatment plan for each patient,
taking into account the number and severity of skin conditions being
addressed. On average, a series of four to six treatments is
recommended, scheduled at three-week intervals. Each session usually
lasts about 20 minutes, with patients returning to normal activity
immediately. By dividing the full program into several sessions, IPL
treatments provide gradual, natural improvement with excellent long
term results.
FAQs
What causes stretch marks?
Stretch marks develop when the skin is excessively stretched during
pregnancy, weight gain or growth spurts. Dermal collagen is damaged and
blood vessel dilation results in the formation of red or purple-colored
early stretch marks. Inflammation and collagen remodeling may lead to
the loss of pigment-producing melanocyte cells or obscuring of melanin
pigment. Over time, this lack of pigment results in the white or
hypopigmented scars that most people associate with mature stretch
marks.
Who gets stretch marks?
About 90% of pregnant women get stretch marks. Growth spurts and
sudden or excessive weight gain cause stretch marks in young people.
They affect 70% of adolescent females and about 40% of young males.
Young women commonly get them on their breasts, thighs, hips, abdomen
and buttocks. Young people often develop stretch marks from
participating in certain body-altering sports such as weightlifting or
from the use of dangerous bodybuilding steroid drugs.
What is ReLume™ Phototherapy?
ReLume is a targeted light technology for the selective restoration
of pigment in scars affected by hypopigmentation or leukoderma. ReLume
is the first advanced technology to offer a practical and convenient
solution for treatment of skin that has diminished pigmentation. For
leukoderma that occurs on stretch marks, acne scars, post-surgical and
traumatic scars, grafted skin, burns and laser-resurfaced or chemically
peeled skin, lost pigment can now be restored safely and effectively,
often within several weeks.
How does ReLume Phototherapy work?
The ReLume system's unique, light-based therapy improves the
appearance of mature stretch marks by pigmenting skin through precise
delivery of therapeutic light. This enhances the production of melanin
to darken the coloration of the stretch mark so it more closely matches
the surrounding healthy skin. Within six to fifteen weekly treatments,
75% or more pigmentation is typically restored. Prolonged improvement
can be achieved through maintenance treatments.
What skin conditions does ReLume treat?
The ReLume has received marketing clearance from the FDA for the
treatment of leukoderma (skin that has reduced pigmentation such as
white, mature stretch marks, acne scars, traumatic and surgical scars,
skin grafts, burns and laser-resurfaced and chemically peeled skin).
ReLume is intended for use on all skin types (I - VI).
How do ReLume treatments compare to topical creams and other treatment alternatives?
According to physicians, conventional therapies are largely
ineffective in treating hypopigmented mature stretch marks and scars.
Now, the ReLume provides an innovative and effective leukoderma
solution with no downtime.
What do patients experience during ReLume treatments?
Treatments are fast and non-invasive. Physicians or staff members
can administer rapid treatments during a patient's lunch hour. Patients
experience no discomfort during the procedure and can resume normal
daily activities immediately afterwards. Patients may experience minor
and temporary redness or irritation within several hours after
treatments. These side effects are no more extensive than a mild
sunburn. Physicians or staff members can adjust the light dosage used
in treatments to minimize these side effects. The primary precaution
recommended for patients is the use of protective eyeware.
What improvements can be seen after treatment with ReLume?
Restoration of lost pigment is routinely achieved within six to
fifteen treatments. Patients will notice a darkening of the stretch
mark so that the coloration more closely matches surrounding skin.
How do patients maintain the improved appearance of treated stretch marks?
Prolonged improvement can be achieved through regular maintenance
treatments with ReLume. Lighter skin types (types I - III) will
typically benefit from monthly maintenance treatments; darker skin
types (types IV - VI) may require less frequent maintenance treatments.
How are IPL™ Skin Treatments used to treat new stretchmarks?
Many physicians are finding IPL a successful approach for reducing
the appearance of new, reddish scars and stretch marks. This
non-invasive, gentle approach uses targeted flashes of light to treat
dilated and broken blood vessels.
What are IPL Skin Treatments?
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Skin Treatments use a non-invasive
process called Photorejuvenation to improve the appearance of the skin.
It is an in-office procedure performed by a physician or a trained
staff member. Treatment programs are developed for each patient based
on the number and severity of conditions being treated. Typically, four
to six sessions are scheduled at three-week intervals. Treatments last
approximately 20 minutes in length.
What can IPL Skin Treatments treat?
IPL Skin Treatments have the unique capacity to treat multiple
conditions. They can address the signs of photo-aging, age spots and
sun damage (sun-induced freckles), broken capillaries, pigmentary and
vascular changes, as well as treating red scars and new stretch marks.
IPL treats hyperpigmentation by reducing the effects of excess
hemoglobin, which cause redness or purple coloration, and the effects
of excess melanin, which cause brown coloration.
How are IPL Skin Treatments performed?
Before treatment, a thin layer of cold gel is usually applied to the
area to be treated, and patients are given protective eyewear to shield
the eyes from the bright light. During treatment, the smooth glass
surface of the IPL handpiece is gently applied to the skin, delivering
pulses of light to the area being treated. IPL treatments are usually
pain-free, but an anesthetic cream can be used if necessary. Some
patients describe the sensation as a light pinch or compare it to the
snap of a rubber band against their skin.
Immediately after treatment, patients return to normal routines and
activities. Occasionally, there may be signs of treatment such as
redness or blotchiness that last for several hours.
Why are multiple treatments necessary?
By dividing the full IPL program into several treatments, the
procedure provides gradual, natural-looking improvement with very low
discomfort or risk. Results are long-lasting, usually a year or longer.
Are ReLume and IPL treatments covered by insurance?
Insurance reimbursement varies from state to state and carrier to
carrier. While most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for
cosmetic conditions, it's best to consult with individual carriers for
more information.
Are ReLume and IPL Treatments FDA-cleared?
ReLume was FDA-cleared to market in 2002 for the treatment of
leukoderma, or skin conditions in which pigment loss has occurred.
Patented IPL technology has been available and FDA-cleared since 1995.
IPL treatments using the Photorejuvenation process are recognized as
safe, effective, and high in patient satisfaction. In addition to
treatment of benign vascular and pigmented conditions, scar treatments
are included in the IPL FDA clearance.
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