Would Fraxel or ematrix laser treatment be better for treating postpartum stretch marks that are still purplish/pink?

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture. Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.

Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thanks for your query. Yes, it works for stretch marks. It might require multiple sessions but it get alright after a while. Hope it helps.All The Best

This type of stretch marks needs vascular laser treatments and then can be treated with microneedling/PRP to get the best results.  Please see an expert.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Thank you for your question! For fresh stretch marks I suggest vascular lasers because they still have that red/pink hue to them. Fraxel works better for older stretch marks that are white in color. Best of luck!

For fresh stretch marks I suggest vascular lasers because they still have that red/pink hue to them. Fraxel works better for older stretch marks that are white in color. You may want to look into Syneron Profound System. Good luck!

When stretch marks are purple/pink, I usually start by treating them with a vascular laser such as the Excel V by Cutera or V-beam by Candela. Fraxel as well as microneedling work well for more mature stretch marks which are often white colored.

Thank you for your question. The best laser to target the pinkish/purple discoloration of a recent scar would be a pule dye laser such as the Vbeam. After the discoloration is gone, then the scar can benefit from the fraxel laser. 

What you describe is consistent with "early" stretch marks - the pinkish/purplish hue will get better with time or can also be treated with IPL.  Fraxel laser can help with "late" stretch marks.

Early stretch marks do best with vascular lasers such as V BEAM pulse dye lasers. Most patients require 2-4 sessions spaced 2-4 weeks apart. Expect a 50% improvement at most. Fraxel can be used for OLD white stretch marks. All the best, Dr Davin Lim. Brisbane, Australia.