Laser stretch mark removal

Depending on how long they have already been on the skin, they can be:

• Pink, red to purple: these are so-called new (early) stretch marks that have appeared recently. They may be accompanied by itching and stinging, as the skin suddenly tears, tightens, and expands;
• White stretch marks are those that have been present on the skin for a long time. They become level with the skin's surface and end up a few shades lighter than the surrounding skin. They are easy to spot, and if they are long, then the problem is even greater.

As well as varying in colour, they can also vary in width and depth, depending on the skin type and condition, as well as the degree of damage itself.

In those areas where the skin is less elastic, there is a greater likelihood that stretch marks will appear at some point. Collagen is the main structural protein of the skin and, together with elastin, gives it firmness, resilience and elasticity. Due to various external factors, genetics and hormonal changes, the skin in certain areas becomes less resilient and stretches, and permanent scars – stretch marks – form.

Some of the most common causes of their formation are:

• sudden weight gain (during pregnancy, puberty, and in people who actively engage in bodybuilding);
• sudden weight loss;
• hormonal changes;
• certain medical conditions;
• genetic predispositions;
• poor skin elasticity and resilience.

If you have ever wondered how they form and what exactly happens on and beneath the skin, we will explain it simply. Stretch marks are a permanent type of scar formed in the dermis, the middle layer of the skin located between the epidermis (the surface layer) and the subcutaneous tissue. The dermis consists of dense irregular connective tissue and so-called loose connective tissue made of collagen and elastin, arranged in bundles. It is precisely this layer of the skin that protects the body from stress and strain, and helps the skin maintain its elasticity.

If, due to various factors, sudden stretching of the dermis occurs, the elastic fibres in this layer break. Such damage manifests on the skin's surface as permanent scars – stretch marks. In these damaged areas, there is no elastin and the skin in those places is no longer able to regenerate independently. Therefore, it needs help and it is important to treat stretch marks as early as possible – ideally as soon as you notice them. Then it will be much easier and quicker to eliminate them, while they are still fresh and have not caused more permanent damage to the skin.

If we were to look for the best way to efficiently, painlessly and simply eliminate stretch marks and restore the skin, it would certainly be the laser method. Stretch marks, as a type of atrophic scar, require an approach that will regenerate the skin in its deeper layers and enable it to produce collagen, elastin and everything else necessary for a healthy, well-cared-for appearance. Various other methods mostly work on the surface, requiring much more time for the skin to renew and the stretch marks to disappear. Likewise, various creams and preparations recommended for eliminating stretch marks will never be able to completely remove them.
The gold standard in stretch mark removal is laser treatment. Let us note that it is crucial for these to be modern, medical-grade lasers, and for the procedures to be performed by a doctor with experience in this field. Lasers work by gradually removing the surface layer of the skin, while the heat of the laser penetrates the middle layer, renewing existing collagen and stimulating the production of new collagen. This is precisely why lasers are the most powerful stimulators of collagen. The skin gradually regenerates across all structures, becomes more elastic, and the damaged area is filled with new, youthful skin. In this way, stretch marks, as well as other types of scars, slowly fade and disappear.

CO2 is an ablative laser and we perform the treatments from October to March, when UV radiation is at its lowest. This laser removes the surface layer of damaged skin and strongly encourages regeneration through collagen stimulation.

First, ablation takes place, and then thermal energy triggers collagen remodelling and the production of new elastin. The laser is directed straight at each stretch mark, while the surrounding tissue remains untouched. Natural repair mechanisms are activated, and the damaged skin is gradually replaced with new, firmer and more elastic skin.

The treatment is performed using an anesthetic cream. Recovery usually takes 5 to 7 days, depending on the treatment and the area of the body, and involves redness, swelling and peeling. Usually 5–6 treatments are required, depending on the depth and age of the stretch marks.

Morpheus8 is fractional radiofrequency microneedling. Unlike ablative lasers, it does not remove the surface layer of the skin, but acts in the deeper layers of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue.

Microneedles penetrate the skin in a controlled manner, while radiofrequency energy heats the tissue and triggers strong collagen stimulation and tightening. That is precisely why Morpheus8 plays a special role when, alongside stretch marks, there is also excess skin or a loss of tone. Lasers act exclusively on skin quality, whereas Morpheus8 can also contribute to the tightening and partial lifting of tissue through deep remodelling.

Recovery is shorter than with the CO2 laser — there is mild redness and pinpoint marks for a few days. Usually 3–4 treatments are needed.

When we have pronounced stretch marks and sagging skin at the same time (for example after pregnancy or significant weight loss), the combination of Morpheus8 and an ablative laser yields the best results: the laser improves the surface and texture, while Morpheus8 works on depth and tone.

In the case of new, red or purple stretch marks, the approach is different. At that stage, the vascular component dominates — the tiny blood vessels that give them their red colour. The

Yellow laser (wavelength around 577 nm) targets haemoglobin in those blood vessels. It reduces redness, lessens the inflammatory component and helps stretch marks transition to the pale phase more quickly. At the same time, it mildly stimulates collagen.

With fresh stretch marks, we often use the Yellow laser first to remove the redness, and then, if necessary, we include Morpheus8 or a fractional laser to improve the texture.

• If the stretch marks are white and atrophic, the priority is a CO2 laser, possibly Morpheus8.
• If the stretch marks are red and new, the Yellow laser is the first choice.
• If there is both excess skin and a loss of skin tone, Morpheus8 is a key part of the treatment.
• In complex cases, we combine technologies, but at proper intervals and with an individual plan.

Laser stretch mark removal treatments are not intended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, in cases of malignant diseases, or for patients undergoing isotretinoin therapy. They also cannot be performed on individuals with skin infections, such as herpes or inflamed acne.