Will Fraxel Laser Work on Stretch Marks? (photo)

Fractional nonablative laser treatments like Fraxel ReStore will tend to fade, although not erase, stretch marks.  A series of treatments is needed, typically 6.  Red stretch marks are probably best treated with pulsed dye laser.  Unfortunately, typical reductions in the appearance still leave the stretch marks much more visible than most people would like.  Still an unsolved problem in aesthetic medicine. 

Stretch marks are notoriously impossible to "cure" but improvements in texture and color can be achieved using tretinoin topical cream and a few rounds of fraxel or other type of fractionated laser skin resurfacing.  The therapy will "IMPROVE" the stretch marks but not "ERASE" them.  I would expect 25-50% improvement with a series of fraxel treatments.  I agree with Dr. Feldman - pulse dye laser can be useful to treat red stretch marks.