A stretch mark (stria) is a scar that appears when the skin shrinks or stretches rapidly. The fast change causes the elastin and collagen to rupture, leading to narrow lines or streaks that appear on the surface of the skin. Most women and a large percentage of men develop stretch marks at certain points in their lives, and, even though stretch marks do not pose any dangers to health, they may ruin the overall appearance of your skin. Luckily, with a variety of treatments form IGBeauty Laser & Skin Clinic, your skin can be restored to feel smooth and silky again.
When & Why do Stretch Marks Occur?
Stretch marks (striae) commonly appear after experiencing extreme weight loss. This can be associated with pregnancy, steroid use or even obesity. They appear as indented streaks in purple or pink (rubra) and white after fading (alba). Stretch marks often appear on the abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks and thighs. At IGBeauty 
Laser & Skin Clinic, we have a number of effective and safe laser stretch mark removal options.
You are at an increased risk of stretch marks if:
You are pregnant
About 8 to 10 percent of women develop stretch marks during the later stages of pregnancy. When you are pregnant, your body makes hormones that soften your pelvis’ ligaments to make them more flexible when you give birth. However, the same hormones soften fibres in the skin, causing it to be more susceptible to stretch marks.
As the baby grows and the skin stretches, stretch marks may develop on your stomach. You may also get them on your thighs and breasts as they become bigger.
Stretch marks normally fade after the childbirth, but they may not disappear completely.
You have gained weight rapidly
If you put on weight over a short period, you may get stretch marks. They will likely remain even after you lose that weight, but will eventually fade. Regular dieting also causes stretch marks, as your weight constantly fluctuates. If you do need to lose weight, loose it slowly, so that you don’t put your skin under stress. Many bodybuilders and athletes also develop stretch marks as their muscles increase in size.
You are undergoing puberty
During the puberty period, your body often develops too quickly for the skin to adjust. As such, boys may get stretch marks on their backs or shoulders, while girls may get them on their breasts, thighs, and hips.
Your parents have stretch marks
Though more common in women, stretch marks can affect both males and females. If you are related to someone with them, you are more likely to get them yourself.
You have an underlying health condition
Stretch marks are often associated with rare conditions, such as Marfan Syndrome or Cushing’s Syndrome. Marfan Syndrome is a genetic disorder, which weakens your connective tissues, lessening their elasticity. Low elasticity means that the skin is not as resistant to stretch marks as they should be - they may occur on the hips, shoulders, and lower back. Cushing’s Syndrome is the result of overproduction of hormone cortisol, which is believed to cause stretch marks.
You have been using corticosteroid medication for a long time
Rarely, stretch marks may develop due to prolonged or inappropriate use of corticosteroid medications, such as creams or lotions for skin conditions, such as eczema. Corticosteroids work in a similar fashion as the hormone cortisol. They aid with inflammatory skin conditions, but, just like cortisol, may reduce the amount of collagen in the skin. Collagen keeps you skin stretchy, and less collagen means higher chances of developing stretch marks.
How much does stretch mark removal cost?
Depending on your specific requirements, the cost of stretch mark removal will vary. Contact our team at 416-484-4884 to learn more about your available options and how much each treatment will cost. We have many options to fit most budgets and types of stretch marks!
How To Prevent Stretch Marks
One of the best ways to prevent stretch marks is to maintain a healthy body weight. Stretch marks can appear when your skin pulls apart due to quick weight gain or weight loss. It is also important to stay well hydrated and to exfoliate your skin, as softer skin is less likely to develop stretch marks. You should ensure your body is getting enough beneficial vitamins and nutrients such as: vitamin C, D and E as well as Zinc and Protein, which are necessary for maintaining collagen fibres and cell regeneration. To promote healthy skin, drink eight to ten glasses of water a day.
Do Stretch Marks Ever Go Away?
There is a variety of topical creams and treatments on the market, which can be applied after the scarring has occurred. While these treatments can fade or reduce the appearance of stretch marks, they cannot get rid of them completely.
Luckily, stretch marks are absolutely harmless: there is no possibility of infection and no pain associated with them. Stretch marks are completely benign and natural, and, as with any other scar, they tend to get less noticeable over time.
However, if you do decide to perfect your skin, IGBeauty Laser & Skin Clinic has a variety of treatments available – from chemical peels, to microdermabrasion, to laser scar removal.
Can you remove stretch marks with laser treatment?
The short answer-yes! Stretch marks can be removed using laser treatment, such as ResurFx fractional laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) photorejuvenation technology. Visible improvements to the skin can occur with just 2-3 laser treatments, and optimal results can be achieved in at least 5 professional sessions performed in 4-6 week intervals. Stretch marks can also be removed using other treatments, such as chemical peels, microneedling technologies like the eDermastamp or Dermaroller or mesotherapy.
Is laser stretch mark removal painful?
Most people only experience very mild discomfort during treatment for their stretch marks. However, depending on your individual pain tolerance, you may find the treatment painful. It is also normal for the area to be red and slightly swollen for a few days following the treatment, but this will subside over time.
How To Treat Stretch Marks
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
At IGBeauty, we have had many success stories after using the Lumenis® M22™ IPL technology. This photo-rejuvenation procedure is designed to effectively treat various types of stretch marks. This technology has been preferred by industry professionals all over the globe. The IPL laser treatment is highly successful in improving the texture of the skin. It comes with equipped with Optimal Pulse Technology (OPT) so that the treatments can be geared towards any skin type or condition.
ResurFX Fractional Laser
Another great option for laser stretch mark removal is the ResurFX fractional laser. This laser works by stimulating the normal collagen production that happens in the deep layers of the skin. Once new collagen is restored the skin becomes rejuvenated and young looking again. This laser is both FDA & Health Canada approved therefore it is not only effective but a very safe laser stretch mark removal option. Our ResurFX laser treatment results provide visible and long lasting results.
Micro-Needling
At IGBeauty Laser & Skin Clinic we also provide micro-needling using the eDermastamp™ system. This is a modern state-of-the-art scar reduction therapy that has been manufactured in Germany. eDermastamp works by using tiny micro-needles that electrically prick the skin in rapid succession. The needles are made of medical grade stainless steel. The whole procedure is always done under the supervision of a well-trained skin care professional. This treatment is minimally invasive and it has been designed to start the production of new skin cells.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels use alpha hydroxyl (AHA) and beta hydroxyl (BHA) acids, enzymes, or retinol. These ingredients break down the lipids which hold dead skin cells together, thus promoting cell turnover and the exfoliation of dead cells. IGBeauty’s Renew Peel is formulated with a complex of natural BHA, AHA, retinol, and vitamin C to accelerate skin renewal process and stimulate collagen production.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive procedure performed to resurface and improve skin tone and texture. During the treatment, skilled technicians at IGBeauty Laser & Skin Clinic use a professional applicator to sand away the outer part of the skin. Another microdermabrasion technique includes spraying fine particles of sodium bicarbonate or aluminum oxide with a vacuum or suction to achieve the same outcome as the abrasive surface.
Jet Peel
The Jet Peel treatment at IGBeauty Laser & Skin Clinic is a painless, non-invasive, 100% natural treatment that improves the tone, texture, and colour of your skin. Jet Peel removes the dead layer of skin cells by moisturizing jet stream along with oxygen infusion. During the treatment, exfoliating and hydrating serums and solutions penetrate into the deep layers of skin without needles, resulting in stimulated collagen production, improved skin texture, and reduced scarring and stretch marks.
Body-Contouring Treatments
Finally we also offer body-contouring treatments to get rid of stretch marks. Our two most popular procedures are the TriLipo MED and the TriFractional Technology. TriLipo MED works by using “radio waves” in order to warm up the fat under the skin. As a result the fat melts away. Afterwards your body’s lymphatic system releases the fat and removes it from the body. In other words, TriLipo MED is able to eliminate fat, contour the treated area, and tone your body muscles. On the other hand the TriFractional Technology is able to revitalize the outer layer of the skin tissue (epidermis). Its radio-frequency energy penetrates the epidermis and creates what we call micro-wounds. As a result the old and damaged skin cells are eliminated and new healthy skin appears in their place.
Can stretch marks be completely removed?
Stretch marks vary in terms of the scar size and type, skin type, severity of the marks and the age of the individual. All these factors can contribute to how well stretch marks can be removed. Optimal results are typically seen after 3-5 sessions spaced out in 4 - 6 week intervals.
For Professional Stretch Mark Removal Treatment, Contact IGBeauty Laser & Skin Clinic
It’s important to remember that nobody is protected from getting stretch marks. Puberty, pregnancy, weight gain or bodybuilding, and many other factors increase the risk of these harmless, yet annoying, scars appearing on your skin.
If you find your stretch marks distressing, don’t worry. At IGBeauty Laser & Skin Clinic, we have been incredibly successful in stretch mark removal. We use a variety of safe treatments, such as IPL, laser treatment, micro-needling, chemical peels, and more. Call us today at 416-484-4884 or visit https://www.igbeauty.com/service/laser-scar-removal-toronto for more information.
