Does IPL work for stretch marks? I'm currently using Retin-A and not seeing the stretch lines disappearing? Maybe a bit lighter, but the lines are still really visible.
IPL for Stretch Marks?
Doctor Answers 16
Topical creams and some light based treatments do help the redness of stretch marks fade, but unfortunately, technology has not yet advanced to create the perfect solution to make the lines themselves truly disappear. Fractionated lasers are promising, but the jury is still out on the long term true benefits of this even now.
IPL can help the redness fade and make the area much less noticeable. But time does the same thing as well.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) will improve the appearance of pink or red stretch marks by reducing the color changes. The texture irregularities are not improved by this procedure. Although there is still no perfect "fix", current work in fraxel and profractional laser technology looks promising. Each treatment creates tiny, microscopic tunnels in the skin that heal with more normal-appearing skin. After a series of treatments, the crinkled appearance of the stretch mark is obscured.
I agree with Dr. Goldberg. The only thing we can do to Stretch Marks is improve their redness or pigmentation with IPL. I have not found a laser or radio frequency devise that will help their appearance.
You might also like...
IPL Pictures
Photos from the community
Stretch marks are not really superficial "marks". Rather they are permanent CRACKS through the skin. Just like other structural cracks cannot be erased neither can stretch marks DESPITE everything you hear.
The ONLY question is how fast can these stretch cracks be faded and made less noticeable. If they are still young and reddish, IPL can be used to reduce the vascularity of the cracks and render them white and less noticeable much earlier than if you allowed them to mature by themselves. If you would be happy with less noticeable stretch marks do go for the IPL - if you insist on make them vanish the only "option" is to close your eyes...It would be more "effective" and cheaper than the hundreds of other touted treatments.
Dr. P. Aldea
Stretch marks are most responsive to treatment when they are new and pink or red. Â IPL will help mostly with the color and may stimulate some collagen. Â I have found fractional lasers and micro-needling with radio frequency to be more effective on improving the overall appearance of stretch marks. Â Either way, multiple treatments are required for optimal results
... there are no ''great'' treatments for stretch marks, however the best combination to date is the use of V Beam laser with vitamin a (tretinoin) ONLY for red, purple, and pink early stretch marks. IPL can help reduce early stretch marks. The older the stretch marks (white), the poorer the response. New treatments such as RF, or fractional laser can reduce old stretch marks but the improvement is unpredictable, and minimal.
Regards
Dr Davin Lim
Laser Dermatologist
BRISBANE
Regards
Dr Davin Lim
Laser Dermatologist
BRISBANE
Intense Pulse Light can be beneficial for pigmentation (redness) of stretchmarks, which may benefit the appearance of stretchmarks. But IPL will not directly improve the lines themselves.
IPL can help the redness fade from new stretch marks and will stimulate the skin to thicken for improvement. Old stretch marks can be treated with fractional CO2 lasers to thicken the skin and smudge the look of stretch marks. There is no treatment to bring back the pigment from silvery-white stretch marks. Overall, there can be some improvement in stretch marks, but they usually do not completely disappear.
Stretch marks is very difficult to treat, and there is not a consistently good treatment to eliminate stretch marks.
Web reference: http://www.drkrisreddy.com/West_Palm_Beach_Laser_Skin_Rejuvenation.html
Unfortunately, IPL will only improve the appearance of the red areas, not repair the stretch marks. There are still not enough studies or research to find the perfect stretch mark repair machine.
Good luck and thank you for your question.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
You might also like...
Related Content
Laser Surgery Cost for Stretch Marks?
6 doctor answers
Which is more effective for stretch mark removal; micro-needle or...
3 doctor answers
Blisters to Chest, Back and Legs After IPL
4 doctor answers
IPL for Dark Circles Safe?
3 doctor answers
Ask a Doctor
Get personalized answers from board-certified doctors. For free.
IPL Pictures
Photos from the community
