Stretch marks are scars that form when your skin stretches too fast. Your skin cannot keep up with rapid growth or weight changes. This breaks the collagen and elastin fibers in your skin.
Fresh stretch marks appear as red, purple, or dark lines on your skin. They may feel raised or sunken. Over months, these marks fade to white or silver lines. The medical term for stretch marks is "striae."
Stretch marks are commonly visible on:
Women often get stretch marks during pregnancy on their belly, breasts, and thighs. Men typically see them on their shoulders, back, and arms during growth spurts or muscle building.
Pregnancy - Your belly grows fast during pregnancy. About 90% of pregnant women get stretch marks. They usually appear in the second and third trimesters.
Weight Changes - Fast weight gain or loss stretches your skin beyond its limits. Gaining more than 2 pounds per week increases your risk.
Growth Spurts - Teens often get stretch marks during puberty growth spurts. Boys may get them on their back and shoulders. Girls commonly see them on hips and thighs.
Hormones - Changes in cortisol, estrogen, and other hormones weaken skin fibers. High cortisol levels make your skin lose elasticity.
Genetics - You're more likely to get stretch marks if your parents had them. Some people have naturally weaker skin fibers.
Medications - Corticosteroid creams and pills can cause stretch marks. Long-term steroid use weakens collagen production.
Medical Conditions - Cushing's syndrome and Marfan syndrome increase stretch mark risk. These conditions affect your body's collagen production.
Stretch marks affect both men and women. About 80% of people will develop stretch marks at some point in their lives.
Most Common in:
Red and purple stretch marks respond better to treatment than white or silver ones. Fresh stretch marks have active inflammation and our laser treatments work best on this inflammation.
Older white stretch marks are harder to treat because the inflammation has settled, but we can still improve their appearance with consistent treatments.
We use state-of-the-art Alma laser technology to treat stretch marks. This is an FDA-approved system that delivers precise laser energy to your stretch marks.
The laser energy:
Initial Consultation - We examine your stretch marks and discuss your goals. We create a personalized treatment plan based on your skin type and stretch mark severity.
Treatment Sessions - Most patients need 3-6 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. This gives your skin time to heal and produce new collagen between treatments.
Session Details - Each treatment takes 30-60 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area. We apply a cooling gel to protect your skin during treatment.
The laser feels like small rubber band snaps on your skin. Most patients find the treatment comfortable. We can apply numbing cream if you have sensitive skin.
Your skin will look pink or red right after treatment. This is normal and shows the laser is working. The redness usually fades within 24-48 hours.
Immediate Recovery - You can return to normal activities right away. Your skin may be slightly red for 1-2 days.
Aftercare Instructions:
Results Timeline - You'll see improvement after 2-3 treatments. Final results appear 3-6 months after your last session as your skin continues producing new collagen.
Our stretch mark treatments work best for:
Board-Certified Expertise - Emi Fischer is a board-certified nurse practitioner with over 10 years of medical experience. She understands skin biology and healing.
Advanced Technology - We use Alma laser systems, the gold standard in aesthetic treatments. Our equipment is FDA-approved and regularly maintained.
Personalized Care - Every treatment plan is customized for your specific skin type, stretch mark color, and severity. We don't use one-size-fits-all approaches.
Proven Results - Our patients see significant improvement in stretch mark appearance and skin texture. We document progress with before and after photos.
Safe Environment - Our medical spa meets all safety standards. We follow strict sterilization protocols to protect your health.
Stretch mark removal is an investment in your confidence. We offer flexible payment options including CareCredit financing. Treatment costs vary based on the size of the treatment area and number of sessions needed.
Don't let stretch marks affect your confidence. Our advanced laser treatments can help fade these marks and restore smoother skin. Reach out to us at (801) 441-2234 or book online to discuss your stretch mark treatment options. We'll examine your skin, answer your questions, and create a personalized treatment plan.
Located in Cottonwood Heights at 6910 S Highland Drive, Suite 2. We serve patients throughout Salt Lake County, including Sandy, Draper, Murray, and Millcreek.
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