How can stretch marks be treated?
Dr. Stanislaus offers various options for the treatment of stretch marks, including Aquagold® fine touch™ Microneedling with or without PRP, and profractional laser treatment (Halo™).
What causes stretch marks?
Stretch marks are caused by excessive stretching and rupture of elastic fibers, often on the abdomen, hips and breasts, especially due to pregnancy, rapid weight loss, and hormones.
Microneedling is a true lunch hour procedure; incredible results with side effects comparable to a mild sunburn.
Microneedling is a true lunch hour procedure; incredible results with side effects comparable to a mild sunburn.
What can I expect during ThermiVa® treatment?
ThermiVa® gently heats tissue using radiofrequency energy, the same trusted technology used in nonsurgical skin tightening treatments. The unique wand applicator can be used on the external labia and vulvar tissues and is inserted into the vagina to tighten lax tissue and encourage thicker, more elastic vaginal walls. By stimulating the body's natural production of collagen and elastin, this noninvasive treatment tightens and strengthens tissues and underlying muscles, increases moisture and enhances sensation during sexual intercourse.
Aquagold® fine touch™ Microneedling for stretch marks
Microneedling is a nonsurgical treatment that punctures the top layer of your skin with tiny needles, creating micro-injuries that stimulate your skin’s healing response and boost its natural collagen and elastin production. It works well on fading stretch marks.
AQUAGOLD® fine touch™ is a painless medical microneedle device for the delivery of intradermal treatments. The device features a vial for treatment attached to a head containing 20 microneedles.
Aquagold® fine touch™ Microneedling with PRP for stretch marks
For newer stretch marks, those that are reddish or slightly purple consider microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Microneedling stimulates collagen, and the growth factors found in PRP further potentiate the production of collagen, which is in short supply in stretch marks. By making tiny pinpricks in the skin, microneedling initiates a controlled healing process to boost collagen production around the stretch marks.
PRP therapy involves drawing blood, isolating the PRP, which contains proteins and other growth factors, and injecting it back into the stretch mark.
Multiple treatments may be required, typically spaced one a month for three months and then a possible maintenance session at six months. There may be some residual redness after this treatment, but there is no significant downtime.
It is also possible to see improvement without PRP. If you prefer not to use PRP or are not a good candidate for it, Dr. Stanislaus will use another serum for mesotherapy.
For more information on Microneedling with PRP, please see our Microneedling page.
Profractional Laser (Halo™) for stretch marks
For older stretch marks, which are typically white or silvery in color, Dr. Stanislaus often recommends Halo™ laser technology.
Halo™ is a hybrid laser that produces fractional ablative results with nonablative downtime by applying both wavelengths in a single pass. Ablative lasers work removing the outermost layers of dead and damaged skin, while nonablative lasers pass through the skin’s upper layers to heat the deeper tissues, stimulating collagen. The result is the formation of new collagen and elastin, which combine to bring increased thickness and a healthy look to the skin.
This dual-wavelength feature means that you can attain great results with minimal downtime.
While it can't always get rid of stretch marks completely, laser removal will help make striae smoother, thereby reducing their appearance.
The best results typically require at least three treatments. For more information on Halo™, please see our Laser Skin Treatment page.
How do I decide between the various stretch mark treatments Dr. Stanislaus offers?
The decision on which treatment to do should be made after consultation with Dr. Stanislaus and based on your stretch marks, your budget, and your personal preference.