For years topical creams have been used to treat the appearance of stretch marks; unfortunately they have yielded less than satisfactory results.

Topical formulations containing retinoids (vitamin A-derivatives) can be effective in treating early, red, inflammatory stretch marks, but they have proven to be ineffective in improving the appearance of mature stretch marks.

Applications of glycolic acid and creams with L-ascorbic acid on a daily basis may slightly improve the appearance of mature, white stretch marks. Overall, however, results have been disappointing.

Both early and mature stretch marks respond to new light-based technologies providing non-invasive, gentle treatments that can help affected skin more closely match its natural color.

Mature Stretch Marks Treatment Option: ReLume^TM Phototherapy

ReLume is the first technological breakthrough to offer a practical treatment solution for leukoderma (literally, "white skin") skin conditions in which pigment loss has occurred. ReLume combines the benefits of safe and effective UV phototherapy with the latest advances in targeted light technology to achieve selective repigmentation of hypopigmented skin. The procedure is painless and safe for all skin types.

Treatments using ReLume are fast and non-invasive. Many people schedule appointments during their lunch hours. Patients usually require brief sessions once or twice a week; improvement in the appearance of mature stretch marks is routinely achieved within six to fifteen treatments.

Red Stretch Marks Treatment Option: Intense Pulsed Light^TM (IPL)

Many physicians are finding IPL a successful approach for reducing the appearance of hyperpigmented (dark red) scars, including new stretch marks. This non-invasive, gentle approach uses targeted flashes of light to treat dilated and broken blood vessels without injuring the surrounding healthy skin.

Practitioners determine an IPL treatment plan for each patient, taking into account the number and severity of skin conditions being addressed. On average, a series of four to six treatments is recommended, scheduled at three-week intervals. Each session usually lasts about 20 minutes, with patients returning to normal activity immediately. By dividing the full program into several sessions, IPL treatments provide gradual, natural improvement with excellent long term results.

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