You have seen your stretch marks appear during weight gain, pregnancy, corticosteroid treatment, or simply during very active physical activities when you were very young.
They form depressions of the skin , in the form of zebra or lines.
Where do stretch marks come from?
They are the consequence of the rupture of the elastic fibers of a skin stretched too suddenly or too quickly.
The most recent of these scars are red, purplish. The oldest untreated become ivory white. But all of them today benefit from treatments quite satisfactory.
Inflammatory stretch marks: the easiest to treat
For who ? All those who, during a weight gain have seen on the areas of adipose tension (breasts, hips, thighs, belly), lines or red or purplish streaks.
How does it happen ? You put on eye protection and the doctor will target your stretch marks to pulsed dye laser. Its green light is absorbed by the red pigments of the vessels (hemoglobin) which will cause them to burst and cause a transient purpura (3 to 4 days) on your scar which will reduce the inflammation and boost the production of fibers. collagen and elastin . The session is not very pleasant (slight sensation of burning) but sitting after sitting, the inflammation and the red color of the sagging fade.
Against indications : pregnancy and if the woman sucks, no treatment on the breasts. Very matte or black skins that risk hyperpigmentation.
How many sessions? After three sessions of a quarter of an hour to half an hour, the red traces disappeared. Skin depression is now limited. Only a thin white stripe remains.
The price: 150 to 250 € per session, depending on the surface to be treated.
White Stretch marks: the most difficult to erase
- With radio frequency
For who ? All those whose stretch marks are now white, installed and which form a depression, a slight hollow on the skin. In this case the practitioner may use fractional radio frequency, or non-ablative laser. Good to know: after all these treatments, the stem will have diminished width, depth, but no length.
How does it happen ? With the fractional radio frequency, the practitioner passes through a handpiece on the stretch marks a high frequency electrical current, immediately converted into heat. This will cause neo-collagenosis, ie a stimulation of the elastic fibers of the skin. The session is not very pleasant but one can apply an anesthetic cream throughout the stretch.
The sequelae: the skin may be marked with small red dots for two to three days or a slight local edema. In this case a soothing, healing cream is applied.
How many sessions? Three sessions of 15 to 30 mn spaced one month.
The price: 250 to 300 € the session following the surface.
- With the laser
How does it happen ? With non-ablative split lasers. The laser I Con Cynosure or the Erbium Glass laser emit pulses of light photons that target and heat stretch marks while preserving the neighboring skin. This thermal action causes the production of new collagen . The skin regenerates by healing at these points of impact. Once again, an anesthetic cream is applied before the session.
The sequelae: Redness, a small swelling may last two to three days during which a soothing cream can be used.
How many sessions? 4 sessions of 15 to 30 mn spaced a month apart.
The price: from 300 to 450 € the session following the laser used. Possibility of package for 4 sessions from 1000 € to 1700 €.
Thanks to Dr. Julien Vivier, aesthetic physician.
