Which is the best treatment for stretch marks post-pregnancy, red on breasts and white around belly? (Photos)

Try this cost effective method for DIY removal as it may work in some people, use DermaRoller and StrataMark. Take some pictures every 3 weeks, roll every 2 weeks with a 0.25 mm roller or a 0.5 mm roller. You can buy this off ebay at $5. Do Not over roll, 2-3 rolls horizontally and 2-3 rolls vertically. Stratamark in the am, and pm. If your skin is bleeding do not use Stratamark, use a bland moisturizer like aqueous cream, then recommence Stratamark in the next day. Do not over do the skin rolling, as prolonged healing and PIH or skin colour changes may result. Do this for 3 months, then post the before and after progression. This treatment can work, especially for early stretch marks. Stay safe, and remember to take your photos and posts the results. Stratamark can be bought online, and is the best stretch mark cream with sound clinical papers behind it.  This will save you time and money.
 

New stretch marks are easier to treat than older ones. For new stretch marks (red-purple-pink), my treatment of choice is V BEAM vascular laser combined Stratamark. This can reduce stretch mark colour and width by up to 50% or more. 

 

For resistant old stretch marks there is no miracle cure if skin rolling and Stratamark fail. My preferred option for old, white, silvery- papery stretch marks is a combination of CO2 fractional laser, or with INFINI RF and PRP. I also use Fraxel ReStore 1550, and also lasers in the 1440 to 1540 wavelength. Of all the methods I find microneedling with RF energy and PRP the best, as it has the lowest rate of skin colour changes, and the fastest healing time. Results wise, it outperforms CO2 laser! Still not a miracle cure. In some patients with laxity and stretch marks I combine RF using eMatrix and TCA peels followed by daily application of Stratamark. Many combinations are possible depending on the skin type and laxity as well as downtime and budget.

 

The truth is that stretch mark treatments are HIGHLY variable, depending on your own immune system, your skin type and the age of the stretch marks. Some get a 30% improvement, others up to 80%. Regardless of the treatment multiple sessions are need – anywhere from 3 to 8 sessions, always use a cream (Stratamark) as the foundation of treatment – much like one would use a sunscreen prior to laser treatments on the face. An assessment is the very first step for high level laser-energy based treatments. Regards,

Dr Davin Lim, Laser and aesthetic dermatologist.

Brisbane, Australia.