Stretch marks are lineal bands of atrophic and wrinkled skin which appear after the dermis stretches in excess or is under the influence of estrogen or corticoid steroids. They can be seen after sudden growth in puberty, pregnancy or in fast weight gain and the use of systemic steroids for long periods of time, or after their topic administration.

In the stretch marks the extra cellular matrix is altered, there is a disappearance of the elastic and collagen fibers. So, due to the loss of the normal structure of the dermis, the stretch mark is an atrophic scar.

Stretch marks have three stages: the recent stretch mark red in color, then it turns pink; in the second stage is becomes a purplish color; and finally, the old stretch mark which is white in color and some have a silver hue. They also present different width and depth and this determines the degree of severity. Therefore, there are wide and deep stretch marks, or thin and shallow stretch marks, etc.

Different techniques have been used in their treatment, from micro-derma- abrasion to topic creams and peelings with minimal results.

Topic treatments based on retinoid produce a slight improvement on the stretch marks, but they can generate secondary effects such as irritation or spots.

The appearance of the laser technology has revolutionized the stretch mark treatment, and with these new techniques it is possible to treat the stretch marks in their initial phase (red) with vascular lasers obtaining amazing results, and for white stretch marks the technique is the one stimulating the production of collagen and rebuilding of the atrophied dermis achieving noticeable improvement in their appearance, although not their total disappearance.

The most adequate lasers used in the treatment are those that enable the stimulation of new collagen, and specially the N-lite laser, which works on the fiber blasts found in the superficial dermis with amazing results for both red and white stretch marks. The treatment is painless, does not require any preparation or anesthesia, and few sessions (approximately 3 sessions), can improve the appearance of the stretch marks in texture as well as color.

Due to the capability to rebuild the collagen in the dermis, sooner in the recent and red stretch marks, it is important that once they appear, they be treated quickly, since the results in this first stage are far superior to the treatment of old or white stretch marks.

Additionally exist laser technologies that allow the skin re-pigmentation, specially in white stretch marks in younger persons or with dark skin, noticeably improving their appearance through the homogenization of the skin color. Within these technologies we can highlight the Excimer laser Xtrac XD Plus with optic fiber technology allowing a faster re-pigmentation than with any other technology or pulsating light, for which many sessions are required to achieve the same results.

Scientific studies have demonstrated that treatment with N-lite laser produces an increase of 84% in the synthesis of type III collagen, which in turn produces a cosmetic improvement of stretch marks and wrinkles between 30 and 90 days after treatment.

70% of the patients who receive laser treatment for stretch marks notice great improvement. The recent shallow stretch marks red or purple in color respond better to treatment, almost immediately.

The innovative laser techniques and technologies available at the Clínica Láser de Piel allow us to substantially improve all the stretch marks eliminating the red color (veins), filling (depressed stretch marks), flattening and in general substantially improving their appearance.