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Laser treatment for stretch marks has become the preferred procedure to surgery. No method can make stretch marks disappear and make the skin look completely normal again. However, in recent years laser technology has continued to advance.

Laser stretch mark removal cost and discomfort associated with laser procedures have decreased markedly. Though not considered cheap, the cost of treatments has not risen correspondingly with the increase in costs of the newly improved lasers. Laser treatment is the ideal procedure to reduce or diminish stretch marks.

Stretch Marks Defined

Stretch marks, known as striae — a narrow furrow or line — happens when skin doesn’t keep up with it’s need to produce enough collagen and elastin during times of rapid growth, creating tiny tears in the dermis, the middle layer of skin that helps to maintain its shape. The dermis breaks down due to collagen damage and bulging blood vessels resulting in parallel, purple, or red-colored stretch marks. Over time, some marks may sink and fade to a glossy white.

Although men may suffer from stretch marks and scarring, women are more prone due to sudden weight gain and loss, and from pregnancy. Stretch marks appear mainly in seven areas of the body: abdomen, lower back, upper arms, breasts, flank, thighs and hips. Laser surgery for stretch marks is an excellent option for women who are embarrassed and frustrated and want to improve their body image.

What is Laser Surgery For Stretch Marks?

Basically, lasers create small wounds in the affected areas that force the skin to heal. This healing process is faster and better due to the fact the wounds are surrounded by healthy skin. Most women who have had the procedure say it’s painless. A very few women feel pain, but not to such a degree that the procedure must be stopped.

Several different types of lasers may be used, each one refining the process until the desired effect is obtained. Over the next few days as the skin heals, new skin will form looking firmer and more attractive. Generally, more than one treatment is required, especially if the area is badly damaged and/or the marks are deep.

What Does Laser Stretch Mark Removal Cost?

 
There are various factors that determine the cost of laser surgery. At this time, laser stretch mark removal cost for one procedure is approximately $200.00 to $700.00. The primary factor which affects the cost of laser stretch mark removal hinges on the area size to be treated.

Experience and the location of the physician’s practice is another determining factor in the cost of stretch mark removal. The number of different types of lasers used in the treatment may affect the price along with the degree and severity of the stretch marks. Ultimately, laser surgery for stretch marks may average between six and ten sessions, depending on the desired results.

How Are Costs For Laser Stretch Mark Removal Paid?

Most costs for laser stretch mark removal are paid on a per treatment basis and paid out of pocket. Since the majority of insurance companies have laser surgery for stretch marks down in their policies as cosmetic, or elective, they decline paying for this form of treatment.

On the other hand, countless clinics offer payment plans and other options that help with financing the procedures. Some clinics partner up with medical financing establishments that allow patients to receive a line of credit. It’s a good idea to look into a few clinics in your area for prices, experience, and overall impression with the facility before making a decision.

What Determines Laser Stretch Mark Removal Prices And Success?

Laser stretch mark removal prices have come down in recent years. It is helpful to know that red newer marks are generally diminished a little easier than white older ones.

The cost of stretch mark removal is generally the same for all areas of the body. For example, it isn’t more expensive to treat the abdomen than the breasts. It’s the severity of the marks that determine how many treatments are required and the cost per treatment then drives up the total cost.

A laser makes the skin look better, but it does not make the skin look perfect. However, most women who have had laser treatments to remove stretch marks are consistently satisfied with the results. Ultimately, the success of laser treatment for stretch marks depend on the person’s genetics, age, skin tone and how long he or she have had the stretch marks.

Some Alternative Stretch Mark Removal Methods

Lately, many creams have appeared on the market containing RetinA, alphahydroxy acids and glycolic acid as over-the-counter remedies for stretch marks; most have had only limited success, but a few such as TriLastin-SR and Mederma stretch mark therapy can be very effective and provide excellent results.

Also, chemical peels, dermabrasion, or microdermabrasion results are rated only as fair to slightly successful since these treatment only affect the epidermis and not the dermis layer of the skin where most of the damage occurs. It’s important to note, some doctors believe that abrasive procedures alone can actually worsen stretch marks and will not offer these procedures.

Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck is a surgical option for abdominal stretch marks that involves removing sections of stretched skin. The affected skin is removed resulting in a tightened belly and it is effective, however, it is invasive surgery and the recovery time is longer with much more discomfort than with lasers.

Finally…

When trying to decide how to get rid of stretch marks, cost and success rate are the two most common factors. Some alternative treatments may be less expensive, but most do not get results as well as laser stretch mark removal. Laser stretch mark removal costs are generally high for most people, but with continuous advances in laser technology and procedures, it is the best solution for minimizing the appearance of stretch marks.

 

See These Related Articles:  Laser Stretch Mark Removal Overview, Minimizing Pregnancy Stretch Marks, How To Reduce Stretch Marks, Stretch Marks Help, Fractional Laser Treatments For Stretch Marks, What Are Stretch Marks?