Stretch Mark Treatments Toronto

Stretch marks are common and widely shared skin imperfections, prominent in more women than men. They occur when skin rapidly expands, due to puberty, pregnancy, weight gain, or growth. A scar forms where the skin stretched because it was not able to return back to its normal form after an extended period of time. They are an aesthetic flaw most commonly seen on the breasts, hips, thighs, abdomen, and buttocks. Thankfully, there are options for stretch mark treatment in Toronto. Although stretch marks pose no medical risk, their appearance can have a significant impact on one’s body image and anxiety levels.

This blog is going to tell you five methods of stretch mark treatment in Toronto so you can feel more comfortable in your own skin. Keep reading to find out what you can do to get rid of those pesky marks!

What are Stretch Marks?

There are two main types of stretch marks: striae rubrae (pink and red stretch marks), and striae albae (white stretch marks). The pink and red stretch marks appear as early indicators of overstretched skin. The skin appears pink because of inflammation due to the overstretching, sometimes becoming slightly raised. The skin’s elasticity decreases as collagen fibers thicken and become arranged in a parallel pattern. White stretch marks are matured and have a scar-like appearance. Stretch marks form when the elastin fibers in the dermis, a more stable layer of skin, are weakened. To read more about stretch marks and their causes, read more here.

Lasers For Stretch Mark Treatment in Toronto

A laster works by sending out narrow beams of colour or light in a single wavelength. The deeper the wavelength needs to penetrate, the longer the wavelength needs to be. Although all dermatological “lasers” operate with different types of energy, such as ultrasound or radiofrequency, laser is a common term that is used across the board to describe the technologies.

When the targeted area comes in contact with the pulse from the laser, the area becomes hot and breaks down. When getting rid of surface flaws, water molecules become the target. They are stored in the collagen layer of the dermis, which mentioned earlier, is the deep and stable layer of skin. Collagen is a protein that gives structure to muscles, ligaments, bones, and skin. The intense heating makes the skin go into a healing phase by triggering repair and collagen production.

PDL 595 Laser

One of the lasers available for stretch mark treatment in Toronto is the PDL 595 Laser. The pulse dye laser, PDL for short, is used for imperfections of the skin that include port-wine stains and telangiectasis, the latter of which causes spidery red lines across the skin. The pulsed dye laser has been used since the 1980s to remove these skin blemishes, among others like stretch marks and birthmarks.

Pulsed dye lasers are what destroy blood vessels. They target a specific protein, hemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells. It is called the PDL 595 because the pulses it creates are of a 595-nanometer wavelength, hitting only it’s target so the surrounding tissue remains unaffected. The PDL 595 is specifically good for getting rid of the pinkness of newer stretch marks because it can target the small blood vessels that cause the pink appearance. Although some skin spots can clear immediately after treatment, stretch marks will likely need multiple appointments.

You won’t need any sedatives for PDL treatment, and you won’t have to worry too much about how the area will look when healing. After a round of treatment, your skin can appear puffy and blotchy, but that only lasts a few hours. It’s possible but unlikely that you will develop bruising, but as with any laser surgery, there is a slight risk that burns or scars will result from treatment.

Lasers

Fractional lasers can be used during stretch mark treatment in Toronto to reduce the appearance of aged stretch marks, which appear paler. It sends an intense light beam through the skin to trigger the repair process with collagen, as with the pulsed dye lasers. Damaged skin is pushed out of the way and replaced with newer skin cells, reducing the look of stretch marks. Fractional lasers are among the most advanced laser technologies available and can be used on sensitive skin around the eyes and mouth. It is also the best and safest option for darker skin tones.

What Are My Non-Laser Treatment Options?

Micro-dermabrasion

Three non-laser treatments available for stretch mark treatment in Toronto are Micro-dermabrasion, Micro-needling, or Platelet Rich Plasma. Micro-dermabrasion is minimally invasive and used on fresher stretch marks as well as wrinkles and acne scarring. During the procedure, an abrasive applicator is used to wear down the outer layer of the skin to take away older skin and leave a younger look. Alternatively, for the same Toronto stretch mark treatment, aluminum oxide or sodium bicarbonate can be sprayed on the skin in combination with suction, reaching the same conclusion as the previous method.

Micro-needling

Micro-needling is a non-surgical and minimally invasive method of tightening skin, though your physician will apply some numbing cream to make sure you have no discomfort. Using your body’s natural healing capabilities, a device with fine needles is rolled against the targeted areas in order to jolt the skin into recovery, piercing the outer epidermis and the dermis. The device encourages the production of collagen and elastin which will make the skin tighter and smoother. When carried out in a professional and clean environment, complications are incredibly rare.

Platelet Rich Plasma

Finally, there is the combination of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Micro-needling. The micro-needling treatment is done to encourage healing, and the PRP is used to drive forth the healing process. As soon as the micro-needling is done, a gel is applied and massaged into the affected area so it can sink into the holes created by the procedure. The gel stops any micro-bleeding and triggers a substantial amount of collagen into production. The broken skin cells are replaced, and the skin appears young and fresh.

There are lots of options for stretch mark removal in Toronto. If you aren’t comfortable with lasers, you have other options to get rid of those pesky skin imperfections. Visit Fairview Laser Clinic today to book a consultation and see what we can do for you!