A stretch mark is a form of scar tissue that occurs when your skin shrinks or stretches rapidly. This sudden change leads to the rupturing of collagen and elastin, two materials that support your skin. When your skin begins healing from this rapid change, stretch marks may develop. Although they are not a health hazard, the appearance of stretch marks may prompt you into looking for your stretch mark removal treatment options in Toronto.
Stretch Mark Prevention
When it comes to stretch marks, preventing their appearance tends to be easier than treating them. One thing that you can do to prevent the development of stretch marks is to control your weight. This unsightly skin condition develops when your skin pulls apart rapidly due to sudden weight fluctuations. Be sure to eat a healthy diet and exercise so that you are able to keep your weight within a healthy range.
Another way of preventing the development of stretch marks is to remain hydrated. Drinking enough liquids can help your skin remain soft and hydrated. Skin that is soft and moist is not as prone to developing stretch marks as dry skin. Try to limit your consumption of caffeinated beverages that could increase your odds of developing stretch marks. Balance your fluid intake with plenty of water, caffeine-free liquids, or herbal teas.
When it comes to stretch marks,you cannot always completely prevent them. However, there are some things that you can do to minimize their appearance so they are not as prominent over time. If you have fresh stretch marks, make an appointment with your dermatologist to discuss your treatment options. We can help determine what is creating the condition and suggest treatment options that tend to be more effective when stretch marks are newly formed.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is not just for pregnancies and kidney stone detection; it actually helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. We use an ultrasound wand that produces sound waves that are out of your hearing range. The treatment has multiple benefits. As ultrasound enters the treatment area, the sound waves will help to dilate your blood vessels, improving circulation and lymphatic flow. The ultrasound energy also has the ability to encourage your body to create new collagen as a way of removing stretch marks.
Your ultrasound stretch mark removal treatment begins with a consultation in which we will discuss your goals and any concerns that you may have. The treatment involves the use of a small hand-held wand that transmits ultrasound energy under the surface of your skin in the treatment area. We may also use some gels or creams in conjunction with your treatment to help the ultrasound energy penetrate more deeply and effectively under your skin.
An ultrasound treatment may take as little as 15 minutes to complete. Larger areas like stretch marks may take as long as 90 minutes.
You should begin noticing some immediate improvements in the condition of your stretch marks after your treatment. Long-term results take a bit longer, and you may need to book a few treatment sessions spaced out a few weeks apart.
The vibration creates thermal energy under the surface of your skin. This makes it an effective treatment choice for softening hardened skin like scar tissue or stretch marks.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is a medical-grade solution containing some type of chemical that is applied to the skin for a specific amount of time. After your skin has been in contact with the peel, some of the outer skin tissue will slough off and reveal fresher skin underneath.
Peels come in three basic forms: Superficial, medium, and deep. This refers to the peel’s depth of penetration.
Superficial Peels
Superficial peels are typically used to treat a dull complexion, improve superficial acne scars, and minimize enlarged pores and light stretch marks. Some common chemicals used in superficial peels are alpha hydroxy, lactic, or glycolic acid. These are all mild acids that penetrate the skin to a superficial degree. The superficial chemical peel does not require any sedation or downtime. However, its gentle nature means that multiple treatment sessions may be necessary in some cases.
Medium Peels
Medium chemical peels containing stronger chemicals like TCA are able to treat light lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and stretch marks. A medium peel may require sedation and a bit of downtime.
Deep Peels
When you have more stubborn skin complaints, sometimes a deep peel is necessary. This type of aggressive treatment is normally only used once for deep scars, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks, sunspots, and deeper lines and wrinkles.
It is important to not underestimate the strength of a deep peel. Deep chemical peels require sedation and a significant amount of downtime. Patients typically remain in seclusion at home for a few weeks while their skin heals and remodels from this powerful treatment.
After Your Peel
Since your skin will be somewhat raw and vulnerable after your peel, it is important to be extremely gentle with it while it heals. This means that you should avoid applying any type of skin care product that could irritate your skin, like retinoids. Do use a good moisturizer to lock and moisture and protect your skin while it is healing.
Remain hydrated and avoid activities that could excessively dry your skin, like vigorous exercise. You should also avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or experimenting with new skin care products that may not work well with your sensitive skin.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a skin rejuvenation treatment that can immediately brighten your complexion by removing a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. This technique is a mechanical exfoliation of the stratum corneum skin layer comprised of dead skin cells, oils, and cellular debris. Those who respond best to the treatment have it performed regularly as part of their skin maintenance routine.
Considering Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion may be right for you if you are seeking to brighten your complexion and enjoy a healthy glow or have suffered from light acne scars, sun damage, or light stretch marks. It also helps those with clogged pores who want to maintain clear, healthy skin.
The procedure offers immediate results with no requirement for downtime. It helps to improve the appearance of superficial scars, sunspots, and wrinkles. It works for all ethnicities and skin types.
As important as it is to understand what microdermabrasion can do for you, it is equally important to understand what it cannot do. This treatment is not for those with serious skin disorders like active rosacea, deep acne, eczema, or dermatitis.
Your Microdermabrasion Appointment
If you are currently dealing with a serious skin disorder like widespread acne, we may recommend other treatments for you. You may need to have your skin treated for other problems like open sores, lesions, or herpes breakouts prior to your treatment.
We will use a special device to spray microscopic particles onto your skin in the treatment area. These particles have an abrasive effect on the stratum corneum skin layer that is blocking your skin’s innate radiance. After these particles have broken up the stratum corneum, we scoop them up along with the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin.
Your microdermabrasion treatment can be used in conjunction with a light chemical peel for improved results. Right after your treatment, you may want to apply a good moisturizer to hydrate and protect your skin.
Microneedling Stretch Mark Removal
Microneedling is an advanced skin rejuvenation treatment involving the delivery of safe, controlled injuries to surface layers of skin. This triggers the production of new collagen to help remodel the skin’s surface and reduce or remove stretch marks. In addition to treating stretch marks, microneedling helps with other types of scars, lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, and more.
A microneedling treatment begins with the application of a topical numbing agent to ensure your comfort throughout your procedure. We then use a hand-held device coated in very fine needles that is rolled over your skin in a gentle manner. Each pass of this device creates hundreds of microscopic punctures in the surface layers of skin, boosting your body’s production of collagen naturally.
The Microneedling Advantage
One key advantage to undergoing a microneedling stretch mark removal treatment is that it does not cause wholesale destruction to skin tissue. The injuries that are created are virtually invisible to the naked eye. Your body will fill in the punctures with new skin tissue to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. You should not require any downtime following your microneedling procedure.
Laser Treatments
Lasers are a popular choice when it comes to stretch mark removal. The treatment involves the use of focused wavelengths of light that are beamed into the treatment area. This leads to the stretch marks becoming less prominent in their appearance. Although the results of laser stretch mark removal procedures are permanent, sometimes follow-up treatments are needed.
Advantages of Laser Treatments
Some of the advantages of undergoing a laser treatment for stretch mark removal is that less pain medication is needed after the procedure, and it involves an improved immune system and healing response. Laser treatments also boost your natural collagen levels and enhance blood circulation, as well as reducing inflammation.
Preparing for Your Laser Procedure
Prior to undergoing your laser stretch mark removal procedure, we will go over your medical history and give you a physical examination. This is a good opportunity for you to reveal your expectations and goals for your treatment.
Prior to your laser treatment, you should avoid collagen injections, chemical peels, waxing, or sunbathing. Refrain from using deodorants, perfumes, or any topical product that could irritate skin in the treatment area. You should also avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, and certain herbal supplements that could increase your risk of bleeding.
Contact Us for Further Information
To learn more about stretch mark removal, we warmly invite you to reach out and make an appointment with Vimi Laser & Skincare Clinic. At our convenient locations in Scarborough and Markham, our caring and devoted team of professionals will be pleased to explain your options in greater detail and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to set up your consultation – we look forward to speaking with you!
