Stretch marks are real scars, which is why their removal has always been quite difficult. The reasons why they can occur are not infinite, and unfortunately depend only in part on a person’s lifestyle. The causes are essentially related to an increase or decrease in weight in a period of time that is too short to allow the skin to react evenly to this change. In fact, the dermis is composed of a network of connective tissues that give it its elasticity, but when weight changes too quickly, the connective tissues split, creating permanent cracks. The areas where stretch marks appear are mainly the hips, breasts, arms and buttocks and are very visible to the naked eye, which is why it is so difficult to accept their presence.
The laser treatment performs a punctiform abrasion through numerous small holes under the most superficial layers of the epidermis without causing burns or redness.
The results of laser treatment on stretch marks are very appreciable. Remember that stretch marks represent a permanent modification of the dermis. It is therefore necessary to verify the extent to which the dermis is compromised. However, some studies have shown that laser treatments can reduce the depth of the most stubborn stretch marks with an improvement rate of 20 to 50%. If the stretch marks are recent and not too deep, one session is enough to make them virtually invisible.
On average, doctors recommend 3 sessions to be performed at an interval of about 20 days. To the touch, the skin is compacted and the typical hollow of the stretch mark is erased. This technique is recommended for everyone, men and women, regardless of age. The only thing to keep in mind is that the laser cannot be used on tanned skin.
Microdermabrasion for the treatment of stretch marks is a technique that gently but effectively abrades the surface layer of the skin. Microdermabrasion has become a popular method of treating blemishes and skin problems because it brings significant improvements to skin with acne scars, acne, skin imperfections and wrinkles.
During the microdermabrasion treatment, a device equipped with a double chamber tube first injects the flow of microgranules into the area to be treated and then sucks them out along with the dead cell residue.
Microdermabrasion in the treatment of stretch marks is effective, well tolerated and safe with beneficial effects especially on red and pinkish (newer) stretch marks compared to white (older) stretch marks.
Treatment with PRP infiltrated directly into the stretch mark is an excellent treatment option for achieving real improvements. The treatment of stretch marks with platelet-rich plasma is not a simple cosmetic treatment, but a biological method that tends to give back to our dermis the best living conditions, with excellent effects on the physiological parameters of the skin.
PRP is an autologous platelet gel (the platelets are extracted from the patient’s blood) rich in growth factors produced by the platelets that stimulate skin regeneration. Stretch marks are treated from the inside, with a substance that is already part of the body. This allows this type of treatment to be completely risk-free and without side effects. Since it is an autologous product (taken from the same organism), the risk of allergic reactions is nil, while the results are on average very good.
Hyaluronic acid is a protein naturally produced by the body that has hydration and lubrication functions at the cellular level, which is why it is often used to try to reduce the visibility of scars and stretch marks. Thanks to its principles, the deepest layer of the skin is hydrated and the surface skin is perceived as softer and smoother. However, in the world of aesthetic medicine, there is a growing consensus that the use of products containing hyaluronic acid can be an excellent way to prevent the appearance of stretch marks and scars, but it is almost impossible to eliminate them permanently.
The classic and certainly the best-known method for treating stretch marks is surgery. Surgery is used to treat long-standing stretch marks that would be difficult to remove with other solutions. The procedure involves removing stretch marks of about one millimetre in size several times using a microsurgical instrument, allowing the skin to heal in a short period of time. Contrary to what one might think, it is not enough to undergo a single session, but it will be necessary to repeat the procedure two to four times, with an interval of time between 15 and 20 days.
Today, Tunisia has become a country that welcomes thousands of people wishing to undergo surgery or cosmetic medicine, thanks to the advantages offered by Tunisian clinics. Indeed, treating stretch marks in Tunisia costs half, sometimes even less, than in European countries. It is therefore normal that many people are attracted by this solution and choose to resort to cosmetic medicine for the treatment of stretch marks in Tunisia. Moreover, thanks to the experience and expertise of Tunisian doctors and cosmetic surgeons, Tunisia offers its patients a wide range of therapeutic choices for the treatment of stretch marks. All that remains is for the patient to discuss with the aesthetic doctor the best option for him or her.