Feel More Confident with Reduced Appearance of Stretch Marks
Stretch marks treatments are growing increasingly popular. Stretch marks are most often caused by pregnancy, but they can also result from puberty, bodybuilding, or any rapid weight gain or loss. They often occur on the abdominal area, lower back, buttocks, hips, thighs, breasts, and arms. Most stretch marks treatments involve laser therapy, which can help the skin rejuvenate, reducing the mark’s appearance and leaving skin smoother and more even.
How Stretch Marks Treatments Work
Stretch marks appear when the dermis (middle layer of skin) is stretched beyond normal capacity, resulting in red, white, and silver streaks. This stretching causes blood vessel dilation that results in inflammation and breakdown of collagen and elastin, resulting in small tears in the supporting layers of the skin. Early stage stretch marks appear red and are most effectively treated. As the inflammatory process lessens, stretch marks turn white, and older stretch marks may appear silver. You can learn even more about what causes stretch marks, but most people want to know about they can be improved with laser treatments.
The first thing you should know is that the earlier the treatment, the better the results tend to be. While laser treatments won’t completely rid your body of stretch marks, they can significantly reduce their visibility. Two types of lasers are used for this type of skin resurfacing treatment: ablative and non-ablative lasers. The ablative lasers will treat stretch marks by destroying the upper layer of skin, while non-ablative lasers target the underlying areas of the skin’s surface to promote collagen growth.
What to Expect from Laser Treatments for Stretch Marks
When you visit one of our offices for stretch marks treatments, a topical numbing cream will be applied before the procedure. New stretch marks are treated with vascular, ablative lasers that target damaged blood vessels. Older stretch marks are treated with fractional, non-ablative lasers that make microscopic holes in the skin and dermis, which prompts the skin to rejuvenate with increased production of collagen and elastic fibers, revealing renewed skin. Talk to your dermatologist about which laser treatments will work best for your stretch marks.
Skin will be red and tender immediately following treatment. Most patients heal within a few days, with some experiencing a mild sunburn sensation and/or blistering. Healing may take up to a few weeks in certain cases.
Three to five treatments at monthly intervals produce the best results for most patients. New stretch marks may be reduced as much as 90 percent, while older stretch marks will diminish by 40 to 70 percent.
Why Choose Zel Skin?
At Zel Skin and Laser Specialists, we’re committed to technologies clinically proven to provide results. Under the leadership of Dr. Brian Zelickson, we’ve invested in more than 15 different types of lasers. No single laser is effective in treating all conditions, especially when it comes to conditions as complicated and unique as stretch marks. Our medically trained staff will work with you to determine the best corrective treatment options for your skin. Together, we’ll help you achieve and maintain your skin’s best appearance. If you’re interested in learning about how stretch marks treatments can help you, visit us.
Contact us to schedule a consultation today at our Edina location.
*Results may vary per patient. Services vary by location.
Zel Skin & Laser Specialists – Plymouth ★★★★★ on Google5:27pm
Felt COvid safe ... always a great experience working with professionals
Brian brings a unique combination of medical science, clinical expertise, integrity and compassion to his patients. He provides the latest technology available in the field of dermatology but with a personalized touch for each patient. He is highly respected by his colleagues throughout the country for his expertise and sincerity.
Everyone I have met at Zel is amazing!
It is rare to find a dermatologist who is as knowledgeable about the many facets of clinical and cosmetic dermatology as Dr. Zelickson. Because of his knowledge and honesty, doctors worldwide know they can depend on his assessment of new therapies, procedures and medical devices. This, in turn, has made him a much sought–after speaker for the plethora of professional medical society meetings and engagements that we have throughout the year. I am honored to know Dr. Zelickson and consider him a friend to the profession.
Dr. Brian Zelickson was one of our initial Thermage investigators and helped us understand the mechanisms of non–invasive skin tightening. He is a renowned expert on how collagen can affect skin tightening and wrinkle reduction.
Dr. Brian Zelickson is one of this country’s leading laser experts. Not only is he unparalleled as a laser surgeon, it is not an exaggeration to state that his superb research helps determine the future of dermatologic laser surgery.
Dr. Zelickson is a highly regarded skin/light expert in our industry. When Candela looks for both medical and scientific advice for new laser applications, we often turn to him for his counsel. The input he provides us always starts with patient safety and satisfaction. We feel fortunate to be able to tap into Brian as an independent resource. The patients who are treated with Candela devices are often the beneficiaries of Brian’s input to us.
Most patients prefer seeing a doctor who is known for a particular specialty or procedure, but all patients want to see the doctor who invented the procedure or therapy. Dr. Brian Zelickson is one of the most respected physicians in the field of cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic medicine. He has lectured around the world and is one of the most sought–after speakers for all major meetings in dermatology.
I would rate Dr. Zelickson's clinic 10 stars!
We have felt honored to have Dr. Brian Zelickson, a world–renowned dermatologist who is distinguished as a high–quality care physician, serving as the investigator evaluating Syneron non–invasive skin tightening technology
I trained with Dr. Zelickson at Mayo Clinic, and I found him to be a very bright and creative dermatologist and scientist. Later, he was our best advisor when we set up our clinic in the Basque Country in Spain. I call him the ‘paparazzi of dermatology.’ His contribution to our speciality is probably among the best of this century.
Tuve la suerte de conocer al Dr. Brian Zelickson en Minneapolis hace muchos anos y desde entonces acudo regularmente a compartir sus conocimientos. Es un científico honrado, brillante, creativo e innovador. Nunca deja de sorprenderte agradablemente.
Dr. Zelickson is a very well–respected dermatologist, not only in the U.S., but also in Europe. He is famous for being the author of relevant dermatological studies published in many prestigious medical journals and for the improvements he’s made on minimally invasive cosmetic procedures that are being used by dermatologists all over the world.
Our view from Europe of Dr. Brian Zelickson is that he is one of the leading four or five U.S. laser dermatologists. His research contributions, his superb lectures and his expert knowledge of laser skin surgery make him a valued friend, colleague and guest.
Dr. Brian Zelickson is one of the world’s leaders in cutaneous laser surgery. He has performed groundbreaking research over the past decade, advancing the field as well as expertly providing the most up–to–date laser treatments for his patients.
Brian Zelickson is a world–renowned laser expert who helps develop the lasers and treatment parameters used by the rest of the world. He is where others turn to learn the latest techniques in laser surgery. If you want the best treatment available, delivering the best results in the safest environment available, there is no need to look anywhere else.
I have met many laser experts in my 20 years of teaching, lecturing and running a busy practice. There is no one who I respect more than Brian. If I have a clinical question or research idea, Brian is one of the few individuals I call, as I know I can count on his intellect, integrity and common sense.
Dr. Zelickson is one of America’s most knowledgeable laser experts. He has done pioneering work with many of the laser and light–based technologies developed in the world over the last 10 years. He is a giant in the field.
Dr. Zelickson is one of the world’s leaders in the field of lasers for the treatment of the skin. His many years experience in treating thousands of patients with lasers and other medical devices makes him one of the most sought–after doctors in this field. Innovation and caring are his trademarks.