Surprising Laser Stretch Mark Removal Costs and Dangers
I'm not going to lie, ever since giving birth to two babies, I've had tiger stripes all over my belly and my hips. That's why I started looking into , or resurfacing.
Unfortunately for me, the more I looked into the available procedures, the more I realized there were hidden costs and dangers, I wasn't aware of. In this post, I'll introduce you into the surprising costs and dangers, but also consider it your quick guide to the process!
If you're considering and need an insider's cheat sheet, here's what you're going to learn in this post:
- How Stretch Marks Form
- What Is Laser Stretch Mark Removal
- How Does Laser Scar Reduction Work
- Can Lasers Remove Stretch Marks
- The Dangers of Laser Stretch Mark Removal
- Proven At-Home Remedies For Stretch Marks
- Laser Stretch Mark Removal Costs
How Stretch Marks Form?
What you may not know is that a is a . While they typically diminish over time, they never completely disappear. During a period of rapid growth like puberty or pregnancy, the can not produce enough fibroblasts (cells that produce or fibers) to support the stretched . This leads to dermal and epidermal tearing. When the tears, it forms scars or stretch marks.
What Is Laser Stretch Mark Removal?
is also called resurfacing or reduction. is a non-invasive cosmetic that uses targeted light or heat to remove the outer layer of and stimulate fibroblasts. The result is a higher production of and that fills in stretch marks, scars, age spots, wrinkles, or other blemishes. The result can be the permanent removal of stretch marks, or less visible stretch marks, and smoother .
How Does Laser Scar Reduction Work?
There are two different types of resurfacing you can choose from, depending on what you're looking to treat. Let's take a look at how they work.
First, we have ablative lasers. Ablative lasers destroy the upper layer of , to reveal newly generated, -free tissues. This newly exposed has a smooth texture and appearance. The second type of resurfacing is non-ablative. Non-ablative lasers target the below the surface and stimulate growth, without breaking the .
Ablative vs Non-Ablative Lasers
These two different techniques have different depths of . The type of stretch marks, , and goals determine how deep an will penetrate the . Many doctors use fractional lasers to remove fractions of the by drilling tiny holes in the surface. This, theoretically, can reduce the amount of prone to injury. Many surgeons prefer this controlled method over a chemical peel or dermabrasion, as there is typically less injury depth. With non- treatments, no is removed whatsoever. Instead, intense pulsed light (IPL) hits the in brief pulses to stimulate and improve and firmness.
How Long Does Each Procedure Take?
can take up to an hour and a half, while non- can be as efficient as 30 minutes. However, patients may need multiple treatments depending on the type of they're dealing with.
The Dangers of Laser Stretch Mark Removal
Laser stretch mark removal treatments have been known to trigger various allergic reactions such as skin flare-ups and irritations. Documented side effects include hyperpigmentation, infection, transient pain, inflammation, water retention in tissues, and a change in skin color.
One of the most common side effects of laser stretch mark removal is the redness and swelling of skin right after treatment and this can take weeks to subside. Depending on the type of laser used for treatment and your skin type, you may have more severe side effects. For example, people with darker skin complexions may experience discoloration. Moreover, if an ablative laser was used in the procedure, there may be a greater depth in injury, causing undesirable scars.
As a rule of thumb, make sure to consult with your medical professional before treatment to determine the risks and potential side effects of laser stretch mark removal - especially if you have darker skin or older stretch marks!
Laser Stretch Mark Removal Costs
Laser stretch mark removal or a laser skin resurfacing treatment is considered a cosmetic procedure, and not a medical procedure. This means that your medical insurance doesn’t cover it. While the ABCS estimates the cost of skin resurfacing treatments to range between $500 and $8,900, the actual laser stretch mark removal costs vary depending on the type of laser that is required for the treatment.
In 2016, the ASAPS reported that a full field ablative laser skin resurfacing treatment costs on average, $2,681, with the industry average totaling an expenditure of $849,456,501. The micro-ablative resurfacing fractional resurfacing treatment, however, averaged much less at $1,410 per session, with a total national average expenditure of $127,071,123.
There are also many hidden and potentially unexpected costs ranging from anesthetics, skin consultations, lab costs, doctor’s visits, and office fees, as well as post-treatment medications.
Furthermore, patients should expect more than one treatment regardless of which type of laser is used in the procedure. While this does vary, again, depending on stretch mark type and your unique skin condition, on average, ablative laser treatments are used more than once depending on the desired outcome. It could also take multiple non-ablative laser treatments that must be scheduled between 3 to 4 weeks apart.
Powerful At-Home Remedies For Stretch Marks
If you’re like me, you’re interested in preventing unnecessary side effects and complications of laser stretch mark removal, as well as reducing the costs of stretch mark removal in general. For that reason, I’m going to share the best alternative that I’ve found thus far, as an effective at-home stretch mark removal solution: silicone pads for cost-effective, safe stretch mark removal!
Do Silicone Pads Remove Stretch Marks?
The good news is: yes, they do! They are a safe, inexpensive alternative to laser stretch mark removal. However, they only work if they create occlusion.
What’s The Deal With Occlusion?
As mentioned earlier, stretch marks are the result of stunted fibroblast production. Occlusion is a microclimate created between the surface of the skin and the silicone pad. This microclimate stimulates collagen production, encourages hydration, and promotes healing. How?
Moisture is drawn up from lower skin layers to the outside layers, causing the skin to plump, fill in, and smooth itself. As a result, the appearance of stretch marks fades, as they blend back into the surrounding skin.
To get actual results, this microclimate needs to be created for a specific duration of time, and consistently.
3 Steps to Remove Stretch Marks With Silicone Pads
1. Wear the silicone pad while you sleep.
To maximize the effects of the occlusion process, it’s imminent to wear the silicone pads on your stretch marks for a few hours. This means your silicone pad has to be comfortable, and it must stay in place.
2. Clean the surface area of the skin before wearing your silicone pad.
Because dirt and oil can interfere in the occlusion process occurring beneath your silicone pad, it’s important to use a good cleanser to remove any impurities laying on the surface of the skin This ensures that the skin gets the maximum benefit from the unique occlusion process.
3. Stay Consistent
For permanent results, your best bet is to maintain a self-care routine with your silicone pad until the desired results are achieved. Over time, results will be cumulative which will give skin a plump and healthy look.
Ready to Try Clinically and Customer Proven Silicone Pads?
Some of the biggest challenges with silicone pads is that they don’t stay in place, they’re uncomfortable to wear, they’re not reusable, medical-grade, FDA-approved, or pregnancy-safe. Dermaclara’s Silicone Fusion pads are 100% FDA-approved, medical-grade, and pregnancy safe!
The Biggest Perks of Silicone Fusion™ Stretch Mark Removal Pads?
- 90% of clinical trial participants said they saw a decrease in pigmentation of scars and other skin defects.
- 87% of clinical trial participants said they saw a reduction in the thickness and appearance of scars.
- They eliminate the need for expensive injections, laser treatments, or harmful chemicals.
- A new, bigger design is specifically engineered to cover more surface area (tummy, sides, buttocks, and thighs) to treat larger areas.
- They are cost-effective, as one pad can be used up to 30 times!
- They don't tear when removing and don't leave a sticky residue on the body.
- They don’t contain chemicals, and they’re bio-inert.
- They hug the curves and contours of your body, so they’re easy to use.
- They move and stay in place while you sleep, without slipping or pulling the skin.
Check Out Dermaclara’s Suite of Enhanced Silicone Fusion™ Stretch Mark Removal Pads
Not Convinced?
Check out what Dermaclara’s Enhanced Silicone Fusion™ customers are saying:
Time and money well spent!
“I tried laser treatment before and it works well, definitely more expensive but works fast. The SFT is probably less risky, less expensive and the package is value for money.” -Celeb
Best decision I made!
“This was my back-up after I had some type of allergic reaction to an injection for stretch marks. It was just a few weeks before my wedding and I needed to get rid of the stretch marks around my breast to wear my strapless dress. I did not have a meltdown on my wedding day thanks to Dermaclara SFT. You could barely see the stretch marks. Just wish I had tried it before the failed injection treatment. My best decision ever!!” - Katherine
Splendid treatment
“I slept with the silicone fusion treatment for the past 20 days for an average of 7 hours and overtime I have seen the stretch marks starting to blend in.” -DeSouza
Ready to Jump Ship?
So, here’s the bottom line: laser stretch mark removal isn’t for me or my skin. However, you have to decide what’s going to work for your skin color, type of stretch marks, budget, and needs. My opinion is to try an alternative, holistic, safe, proven, and effective stretch mark solution like silicone pads before opting for medical intervention. They work on every skin type, are medical-grade, risk-free, and clinically tested. If you’re ready to abort the risky and costly laser stretch mark removal mission and jump aboard the silicone pad ship -
