Stretch marks on the skin are often caused by sudden growth or weight gain. Some women get stretch marks if they are pregnant. People usually get stretch marks in puberty after solid growth.
How Much is Stretch Mark Removal?
There are different procedures for removing stretch marks, and the cost of each process varies.
- Laser Treatment is a noninvasive procedure that typically needs 10 to 14 days of recovery. The price varies depending on the type of laser used. On average, a single session of ablative laser treatment costs $2,681. On the other hand, non-ablative lasers cost $1,410 per treatment.
- Microdermabrasion – a noninvasive procedure that costs $139 per treatment.
- Surgical removal involves surgery, and depending on the treated area, it can cost up to $5,339, excluding hospital and anesthesia fees.
- Microneedling is a noninvasive procedure that costs between $100 to $700 per session.
Stretch mark treatment typically costs $40 to $100 if you buy a tube or bottle of creams or oils prepared to fade and soften stretch marks. An example of this product is sold on SkinStore.com in varying price ranges. However, these treatments for stretch marks typically have not been proven to work, or it may take a long time and consistent application for them to work. Furthermore, many plastic surgeons on RealSelf.com often say that these treatments are ineffective.
Skin tightening treatments are also helpful in treating stretch marks. Non-surgical skin tightening processes are less invasive but offer less stellar results than surgery. They use heat to stimulate the development of new collagen in the skin. Total costs depend on the type of treatment, the patient’s condition, the part of the body being treated, and the number of treatments.
Does Health Insurance cover Stretch Mark Removal?
Stretch mark removal using laser therapy and other treatment processes is considered cosmetic and not covered by health insurance. However, laser therapy may be covered in medically necessary cases, like pain management treatments. Because laser therapy treatment for stretch marks removal can be pretty costly, there are some ways to help reduce the cost:
- Talk it over with your provider. Discuss payment plans and discounts. Many offices offer no-interest financing catered to these kinds of procedures.
- Check out medical spas that offer discounts for multiple sessions.
- Check the possibility of a manufacturer rebate.
- Research clinics that offer online coupons. A good example is Ageless Remedy, a clinic in North Carolina that offered a coupon for $100 off laser stretch mark treatment.
- Know the plastic surgeons that usually offer discounts for multiple procedures in your area.
How Can You Remove Stretch Marks Naturally?
Several natural home remedies are used to remove stretch marks naturally. Here are some ways:
- Apply argan oil. Argal oil is known to increase the elasticity of the skin. Applying argan oil to areas with stretch marks can help heal the broken tissues, gradually making the scars fade.
- Lemon Juice. Lemon juice is famous for its bleaching properties, which help whiten and reduce the stretch marks’ visibility.
- Egg White. Egg white contains protein and amino acids that help lighten the stretch marks and tighten the skin.
- Olive Oil. Olive oil is rich in moisturizing properties and contains antioxidants that are exceptionally helpful in repairing damage to the skin.
How do You Shop for Stretch Mark Removal?
Here are some tips on how to shop for stretch mark removal:
- First, understand that stretch marks are caused by tears in the dermis or the deeper layers of skin, leading to deep scarring. Most plastic surgeons argue that there are few practical ways to treat them, so you must consult your dermatologist or doctor.
- Again, please consult a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon and discuss your particular case and options with them. The American Academy of Dermatology offers a list of board-certified dermatologists by location. In addition, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery provide referral services.
What Do Stretch Marks Look Like?
When they first appear, stretch marks are either red, purple, pink, or reddish-brown. The spots look like streaks across the skin on the stomach, breast, chest, upper arms, legs, bottoms, hips, or back.
Can Stretch Marks Be Removed Permanently?
Stretch marks can be removed permanently; however, it will involve rebuilding healthy skin tissues beneath the faults, preventing the appearance of new scars and fading the current marks. This can be achieved by exfoliating treatments that involve specialized laser treatment sessions and, often, surgery.
Can a Doctor Prescribe Anything For Stretch Marks?
Several prescription creams have displayed good results for stretch mark removal, and these can be prescribed to you by your doctor. However, your doctor might need to examine your skin and check your medical history to ensure that you are given a suitable cream for your skin. Several factors could also affect prescriptions, especially when pregnant or with other skin allergies.
Is Stretch Mark Removal Painful?
Most stretch mark removal procedures are noninvasive and do not hurt the patient. Laser therapy for stretch mark removal usually lasts 30 to 90 minutes and requires a short recovery time. On the other hand, surgical procedures may take two to four weeks of recovery time.
Is Laser Therapy For Stretch Marks Expensive?
Yes, laser therapy for stretch marks is expensive. Data from the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) shows that skin resurfacing treatments cost between $500 and $8,900, while ablative laser treatments cost around $2,681, and non-ablative laser treatments cost around $1,410.
How Many Laser Sessions Does it Take to Remove Stretch Marks?
Ablative lasers can be used one or more times, depending on the patient’s desired outcome, while non-ablative laser sessions may be scheduled up to six times at three to four-week intervals.
Can You Tattoo Over Stretch Marks?
Technically, yes. You can apply or get a tattoo to cover your stretch marks.
How Long Do Stretch Marks Take To Fade?
The time it takes for stretch marks to fade varies depending on the cause. For example, stretch marks during pregnancy can take between six and 12 months to fade.
Can a Plastic Surgeon Remove Stretch Marks?
Yes, cosmetic surgery can also help in removing stretch marks. Specific plastic surgery procedures can reduce and clear away stretch marks. Some of these procedures are:
- Abdominoplasty
- Breast Lift
- Thigh Lift
Does Bio-Oil Remove Stretch Marks?
Bio-Oil is a formulated blend of essential oils found in plants with known benefits for the skin. While it does not entirely remove stretch marks, constant application helps reduce the possibility of stretch marks forming during pregnancy and improves the appearance of existing scars.
How Can Stretch Marks Be Prevented?
Stretch marks usually appear during pregnancy, but several factors can cause them to appear, one of which is rapid weight change.
Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to prevent them from appearing:
- Watch your weight.
- Stay hydrated and moisturize your skin.
- Have a healthy and balanced diet.
- Include Vitamin C in your meals.
- Soak up some Vitamin D.
- Eat foods that are rich in zinc.
- Treat fresh stretch marks immediately when they appear and minimize scratching the area where they emerged.
Which Cream Is Best For Stretch Marks?
Several creams treat stretch marks, each of which has merits.
Here are the best stretch mark creams of 2022, according to the top picks by skin experts:
- Best on Amazon: Body Merry Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream
- Best for removal: Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy
- Best for fading stretch marks: Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment
- Best for pregnancy: Mustela Stretch Marks Cream
- Best plant-based: Evereden Nourishing Stretch Mark Cream
- Best multi-purpose: StriVectin SD Advanced Plus Intensive Moisturizing Concentrate
- Best for prevention: Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter
- Best during pregnancy: Mustela Stretch Marks Cream
- Best drugstore cream: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks
Which Oil is Best For Stretch Mark?
According to a study published in Dove Medical Press entitled “Preliminary study on the development of an anti-stretch marks water-in-oil cream: ultrasound assessment, texture analysis, and sensory analysis,” argan oil is the best choice for treating stretch marks. It is a well-known natural product for skin and hair treatment. In addition, it can improve the elasticity of the skin, which helps reduce or prevent the appearance of stretch marks.
How Do Celebrities Avoid Stretch Marks During Pregnancy?
Celebrities are often admired because of how they can maintain their figures. Yet, most of them can keep that flawless tummy even during pregnancy; not a single stretch mark in sight. Here are some tips from celebrities on how to avoid this skin problem during pregnancy:
- The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, recommends using Bio-Oil to reduce the risk of stretch marks and keep her skin soft. She also practiced yoga to prevent rapid weight gain during her pregnancy.
- Molly Sims adhered to a specific diet during her pregnancy to avoid the appearance of stretch marks on her skin. Her diet includes food rich in fatty acids like nuts, legumes, and fish.
- Like Kate Middleton, Kim Kardashian also used Bio-Oil to avoid developing stretch marks during her pregnancy.
- Film star Gwyneth Paltrow favors using a more straightforward solution for shunting away stretch marks—sweet almond oil.
Is Vaseline with Petroleum Jelly Good For Stretch Marks?
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly is suitable for treating stretch marks on the skin. Creams and lotions that contain petroleum jelly help promote new tissue growth and break down the bands of collagen, which are the main culprits in the appearance of stretch marks.
What Percentage of Females Have Stretch Marks?
An estimated 50% to 90% of women have stretch marks. This type of skin scarring happens when the skin cannot return to its standard form after a period of intense growth, such as pregnancy and weight gain.
Does Scratching Make Stretch Marks Worse?
Yes, scratching the stretch marks deepens them, leaving scars that can sometimes cause skin infections.
Why is My Old Stretch Marks Itchy?
Old stretch marks tend to be itchy because, as the skin begins its healing process, the damaged nerves are fired up, which can cause a prickly sensation.
Healing usually takes a long time, and because of that, the itchiness present in mending nerves can also last longer after forming the stretch marks.
What are the Different Types of Stretch Marks?
The two main stage classifications of stretch marks based on their formation and appearance are:
- Striae rubrae: Pink or red stretch marks
- Striae alba: White stretch marks
Other classifications include:
- Striae gravidarum: Occurs as a result of pregnancy.
- Striae nigrae: These are dark grey or black stretch marks (usually applicable to darker skin types).
- Striae caerulea: These are the dark blue/purplish stretch marks attributed to those with darker complexions.
- Striae atrophicans: This condition may develop in those with Cushing’s syndrome because of prolonged corticosteroids or after a surgical procedure.
Can Old Stretch Marks Hurt?
As stretch marks fade, they usually do not cause pain or irritation, but scarred stretch-marked skin is prone to sunburn and irritation.
Can Losing Weight Make Your Stretch Marks Itch?
Yes, losing weight can also cause stretch marks and itch. Stretch marks commonly run vertically along the skin, and the healing skin tends to feel itchy. In addition, the nerves respond by producing itchy sensations because of dermal tearing. This is one reason why stretch marks may itch after losing weight.
What Do White Stretch Marks Mean?
White stretch marks indicate that blood vessels have narrowed. Narrowed blood vessels make successful treatment of stretch marks less likely.
Are Stretch Marks Genetic?
Stretch marks that appear during pregnancy are primarily hereditary.
Do New Stretch Marks Burn?
Like any new cut or scar, fresh stretch marks can cause itchiness, irritation, and a slight burning sensation as the skin tries to repair itself.
Why Do I Have Stretch Marks on My Thighs?
Stretch marks on thighs can appear because of various reasons like:
- Weight Gain
- Muscle Gain
- Puberty
- Rapid Growth
- Pregnancy
- Genetics
- Weight Lifting
It can also be attributed to several medical conditions like hormonal imbalance, steroid use, Cushing’s Syndrome, and Marfan Syndrome.
Do Stretch Marks Bulge?
Yes, in most cases, stretch marks appear to bulge out. This can also be attributed to gaining a lot of weight in a short amount of time, as it can cause stress and pressure on the skin.
Why is My Teenage Daughter Getting Stretch Marks?
Most teenagers develop stretch marks because these marks often occur when the skin experiences significant growth and weight gain, such as those observed during puberty.
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