Does Fraxel Laser work for stretch marks?

Fractional CO2 laser is an excellent tool for skin rejuvenation in our center in Santa Monica. We use the fractional multi-depth ablative approach to help resurface the skin, recontour acne scars, improve incisional plastic surgery scars, and reduce surface irregularities from skin tone to dark pigmentation. Our approach utilizes a multi-depth approach that targets melanocytes in the epidermis and collagen fibroblasts in the dermis. This approach can be combined with a TCA Peel in a process known as a sapphire peel. Fractional laser is excellent for acne scars and contour scars in the skin. Patients are advised to undergo skin protocols with Melarase creams before and after treatment to help reduce pigmentation. Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. After the laser, we expect redness for a few weeks as the skin improves. PRP and Hydrafacial enzyme facials can further improve skin quality after fractional co2.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

I have tried doing tests on mature white stretch marks with the Fraxel Re:store laser. I have repeated treatment on the same area several times, as we would do during a full series of treatments, and have not seen improvement that is significant. Acute stretch marks, are red and the color can be improved with a yellow light laser such as the V-beam laser, but this doesn't appreciably improve the atrophic thinned out nature that develops in the mature stretch marks.

Hi Drew,
Abdominal stretch marks (as well as those on other areas of the body) improve with a series of Fraxel restore laser treatments, but do not go away completely. The thin, depressed skin of the striae is thickened so that the contour and texture of the skin in the area is more smooth and even. The color improves as well.
Good luck and be well.
Dr. P

I first used Fraxel for stretch marks for my cousin after she had our lovely twins!
Since we have used Fraxel in combo with coolsculpting and chemical peels for various other ladies- depending on the type of stretch marks they have. I have also used Sculptra and PRP in combo to get good results.
Remember stretch marks are never going to be exactly back to normal skin but they can be improved.
Here is some good info on Fraxel in case it  is helpful:
Fraxel is a unique laser because it has the ability to rejuvenate the skin in a non-invasive, effective fashion with minimal downtime. It can be an ideal treatment for sun damaged skin on the face, neck and chest. In addition to brown marks, it can used to improve scars, stretch marks, fine lines and wrinkles and age spots.
By placing tiny columns of energy into the skin, the Fraxel laser promotes the body’s natural healing response and development of new collagen. The Fraxel laser is used fractionally treating a patient’s skin in specific areas, while leaving some skin unaffected nearby, allowing for an easier and less invasive rejuvenation.
The net result is tighter, smoother, and more radiant skin.
Treatment with the Fraxel laser begins by first using a numbing cream to make the procedure comfortable. Generally three treatments are needed for great results.  Because the process requires new collagen to form, maximum results take few weeks to show. After each treatment there is about a 1 week period of “downtime” where a patient may experience light redness and discoloration in the skin while the skin is undergoing this healing and rejuvenation.

Fraxel does improve stretch marks on the abdomen. Do be aware that it is not an eraser.  Multiple treatments will be necessary and it can take several treatments to start to see your results.  In addition to improving the texture, the treatment can improve the color of stretch marks also.Be sure that you choose your physician based on her training, skills and reputation, not on what lasers she has.  Because ultimately it isn't the laser, but the physician using the laser that makes the difference.I hope this answer helps. Best wishes.