Laser Resurfacing Stretch Marks - What Works?

Although there is no technology or cream that will completely erase stretch marks, there are options available to improve the appearance of stretch marks. For example, red stretch marks are treatable with pulsed dye lasers to resolve the redness associated with these newer lesions. Current research supports that early treatment may enhance the outcomes for both color and texture improvement. For brown stretch marks, treatments with Q-Switched Yag lasers offer dramatic results. For... more

I agree that there is no "good" treatment to repair stretch marks. The red color of new stretch marks can be reduced with pulse dye lasers. Surgical Tummy tuck can cut out some of the marks on the abdomen. There are no effective creams.

Laser treatments can be helpful for stretch marks but no laser works very well and no treatment completely removes stretch marks. Pulsed dye lasers cank be helpful for red strectch marks and Fraxel laser treatment can improved older or more wrinkled or depressed stretch marks.

To date, no laser treatment (or any treatment for that matter) has yet been shown to eliminate or cure stretch marks. Laser resurfacing can make some improvement in the appearance of white or mature stretch marks and pulsed dye or photoselective laser light treatments can reduce the redness of new or early stretch marks.

Many treatments for stretch marks can improve their appearance, but none so far have been able to remove them completely. If stretch marks are still fresh, that is red or violet in color, topical treatment with a tretinoin or tazarotene cream might be sufficient for treatment. Intense pulsed light has been shown to work in treating mature stretch marks by increasing collagen production in the dermis. Fractional laser resurfacing works by removing columns of tissue in the... more

Stretch marks are better treated when they are "fresh" or red- this can be addressed with either a light device or a topical cream. When they are no longer red (darker or lighter streaks in the skin) then treatments are geared towards lessening their appearance. Stretch marks are caused by the breaking of elastin/collagen in the skin from expansion of the skin. To lessen the appearance of older stretch marks, the skin is re-wounded using an ablative laser technique (usually a... more

If you are looking for laser treatment of stretch marks the Fraxel Re Store and SmartXide Dot treatments seem to be giving the best results. However, you should realize that neither treatment is 100 % successful and you should only expect an improvement not a cure. I would also consider surgery such as a tummy tuck since that would address both your sagging skin issue and the stretch marks. I would recommend consulting a board certified plastic surgeon.