What You Can Do About Stretch Marks
We have to give our skin some credit—it does have an amazing ability to stretch with all the ways we change sizes and shapes over the years. But it doesn’t always do it seamlessly, and the results of our skin having to stretch too much or too quickly show up in the form of stretch marks. These unhappy little lines on the abdomen, hips, arms, or other areas are essentially a type of scar, and they affect men and women alike. Whether yours are the result of pregnancy, weight fluctuations, puberty, or a combination of all three, don’t worry—we have a few different ways to improve them at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center.
Réjuvapen® Microneedling
Microneedling itself isn’t new, but because of recent advancements in the technology, it’s enjoying a great jump in popularity. The procedure uses short, ultrafine needles to create small “healing zones.” In the case of stretch mark reduction, this serves two purposes. First, it breaks up the uneven scar tissue that forms the stretch mark. Then, it stimulates your body’s natural healing process in a controlled way, allowing you to rebuild healthier, smoother, firmer tissue, and this reduces the appearance of the stretch marks.
Fractionated CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing
The next step up from microneedling actually uses a similar theory—creating tiny treatment zones to provide a natural-looking result. However, it’s done in a very different way. Fractionated CO2 laser skin resurfacing clears away damaged skin and stimulates healing in small areas at a time, leaving space in between. This actually provides the healing benefits (replacing scar tissue with smoother and more consistent skin) throughout the entire area while minimizing the recovery time after the procedure.
While stretch marks aren’t physically uncomfortable, they can put a serious damper on your self-confidence, especially during the upcoming swimsuit season. And it simply adds to the frustration that there’s really nothing you can do at home to get rid of them, even by getting every other aspect of your figure “beach-ready.” But there are two facts you can take comfort in: first, you’re far from alone; and second, there are plenty of professional treatments that are available to help. To learn which of these three options above is the best fit to reduce your stretch marks, schedule a consultation at Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center. Or, for more skin care tips and to find out all the latest and greatest treatments available right here in metro Atlanta, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.