STRETCH MARKS
While stretch marks are not harmful or painful, these indented streaks on the skin can be a source of distress and reduced confidence for women and men alike. Dr. Jason Emer, board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, is world-renowned for his innovative approach to skincare, including the treatment of stretch marks. Following a one-on-one consultation, Dr. Emer sketches out a comprehensive treatment plan using a combination approach to ensure the most effective, long-term improvement in the appearance of stretch marks.
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WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR STRETCH MARKS?
While stretch marks are not harmful or painful, these indented streaks on the skin can be a source of distress and reduced confidence for women and men alike. Following a one-on-one consultation, Beverly Hills cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Jason Emer sketches out a comprehensive treatment plan using an advanced combination approach to ensure the most effective, long-term improvement.
To reduce the appearance of stretch marks, Dr. Emer avoids deep resurfacing treatments at all costs, as these treatments may inadvertently aggravate the condition. Instead, he concentrates on safe, low-strength treatments to build collagen over time and achieve gradual improvements.
Procedure Details
What to Know About Stretch Marks and Stretch Mark Treatments
Stretch marks are essentially scars that form when ruptures occur in the collagen and elastin in our skin. Collagen and elastin give the skin structure and support and are the foundation of healthy, smooth, and youthful skin. When the size of the skin undergoes an abrupt change—whether it is stretched or whether it shrinks—these foundational elements of the skin are affected.
Stretch marks can appear as purple, red, dark-brown, pink, or reddish-brown lines in the earliest stages. In many cases, the stretch marks may be raised when they first develop.
Over time, raised stretch marks can become depressions in the skin, and the color may fade. However, the marks typically remain visible unless properly treated by a skin rejuvenation expert like Dr. Emer.
Dr. Emer’s stretch mark treatments are expertly designed to smooth the skin’s surface and treat hyperpigmentation in order to minimize the appearance of stretch marks. His advanced, combination treatments for stretch marks:
- Do not require incisions or surgery
- Involve minimal discomfort and downtime
- Stimulate collagen regrowth for healthier, stronger skin
- Can diminish both shallow and deep stretch marks
- Improve skin tone and texture
- Boost the patient’s self-confidence
- Are effective for all skin types and tones
- Work rapidly
Right for you?
Am I a Good Candidate for STRETCH MARK TREATMENT?
Healthy men and women who want to reduce the appearance of stretch marks can be good candidates for this treatment. Patients who seek stretch mark treatments are often those who:
- Have had one or more pregnancies
- Experienced rapid growth spurts as a teenager
- Have lost or gained considerable amounts of weight
- Build muscle quickly when weight training
- Use corticosteroids for an extended period of time
- Have family members who have stretch marks (genetic predisposition)
- Experience hormonal fluctuations
Potential patients should be willing to follow all of Dr. Emer’s instructions before and after treatment. It is also important that candidates have realistic expectations for the outcome of their stretch mark treatment. Dr. Emer advises every candidate that there is no cure for stretch marks but that significant improvements can be achieved with his combination treatment approach and regular treatment sessions.
To find out if stretch mark treatments can help you accomplish your aesthetic goals, Dr. Emer will need to meet with you in a consultation. He can then perform an examination of your cosmetic concerns, assess the skin and tissue in the treatment area, and formulate the best approach to achieving your most radiant skin.
What Is the Best Treatment for Stretch Marks?
To achieve optimal improvements in the texture and tone of the skin, Dr. Emer uses advanced combinations of non-surgical treatments that are tailored to the needs of each unique patient. The best stretch mark treatment for you will be determined by your skin type, skin tone, and the age and severity of the stretch marks.
In most cases, Dr. Emer recommends one or more of the following treatments to smooth and lighten stretch marks:
Laser Skin Treatments
Dr. Emer owns a comprehensive selection of cosmetic laser devices that can treat a broad spectrum of skin conditions. A series of laser treatment sessions is often needed to achieve optimal improvements.
Depending on your anatomy, skin type, and skin tone, Dr. Emer will strategically choose one or more laser devices to rejuvenate the skin, address hyperpigmentation, and encourage collagen production. The age and severity of your stretch marks will also factor in to Dr. Emer’s choice of laser device for your treatment.
For mild stretch marks, Dr. Emer can use non-ablative lasers like Fraxel to stimulate collagen production without damaging the outer layer of skin. Non-ablative laser treatments involve minimal downtime and discomfort.
For more severe stretch marks, Dr. Emer may use an ablative laser like CO2 for intensive skin resurfacing. Ablative lasers destroy the outer layer of skin to reveal a fresh, healthy layer of skin, so there is more downtime with ablative laser procedures than with non-ablative devices. Since it is a more aggressive intervention, patients also tend to see results in fewer sessions compared to non-ablative laser treatments.
For additional improvements, Dr. Emer incorporates microsecond YAG laser treatments for skin rejuvenation and vascular lasers to reduce redness in the affected area.
Radiofrequency Heating Devices
Non-invasive radiofrequency (RF) heating devices like Thermage deliver controlled RF heat to the skin. The heat kickstarts collagen production in the targeted area to prevent signs of aging, minimize the appearance of stretch marks, and create firmer, tighter skin.
Microneedling with Radiofrequency (RF)
For many patients, microneedling with RF is the ideal approach to reducing the appearance of stretch marks.
Microneedling with RF combines the collagen-boosting and skin resurfacing effects of microneedling with the skin rejuvenating and tightening effects of RF heating. The micro-wounds created by the device’s tiny needles allow the RF heat to reach deeper layers of the skin.
The surface-level micro-punctures and the controlled thermal damage below the surface work to trigger the body’s wound healing response. Part of that natural process is an increase in the production of collagen and elastin, which helps to minimize the appearance of stretch marks as well as encourage overall improvements in the condition of the skin.
Like laser treatments, a series of treatment sessions is often needed to accomplish the desired outcome. However, compared to laser treatments, microneedling with RF has a lower risk of causing discoloration and requires less downtime.
Peels
Chemical peels like Cosmelan and Enlighten frequently play an important supporting role in Dr. Emer’s combination stretch mark treatments. To prevent hyperpigmentation and achieve more significant improvements in the tone and luster of the skin, Dr. Emer may advise a Cosmelan or Enlighten peel before and after laser skin treatments.
Medical Tattooing
Dr. Emer works with the best medical tattoo artists in Los Angeles to camouflage stretch marks and create a more even, aesthetic skin tone with this treatment option. Medical tattoo artists can match your natural skin tone with medical pigments that can be applied to mask unwanted streaks.
Dr. Emer’s medical tattoo artists also perform inkless treatments both as a pre-treatment for medical tattooing with pigments and as a stand-alone approach to minimizing stretch marks. During the inkless medical tattooing procedure, the medical tattoo artist uses the tattoo gun to infuse natural oils, essential oils, and vitamins into each stretch mark. The infusion works to generate elastin and collagen to improve skin tone and texture.
Two to three sessions are usually needed to effectively conceal stretch marks. Most patients see results after about 30 days.
At-Home Skincare Protocols
Dr. Emer helps his patients extend their stretch mark treatment results by creating at-home skincare protocols for his patients. These protocols aim to create the calculated and consistent defensive stand needed to maintain your most vibrant, smooth, and youthful skin after stretch mark treatments.
Dr. Emer’s at-home skincare regimens for treating stretch marks often include a topical cream or serum containing vitamin A in the form of retinol, beta-carotene, or retinoic acid. At-home dermarolling can also help to ensure optimal collagen production between stretch mark treatment sessions with Dr. Emer.
It is important to note that not all dermarollers and topical skincare products are created equally. Dr. Emer’s patients find his expertise as a cosmetic dermatologist and as a leading authority in the field of aesthetics invaluable when it comes to finding safe, effective skincare products. Dr. Emer’s skincare protocols target specific skincare concerns like stretch marks, as well as provide the daily nourishment and support needed to keep the skin looking youthful long-term.
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TESTIMONIALS
Patient Story
what to expect?
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF STRETCH MARK REMOVAL WITH DR. EMER?
You may experience some minor soreness in the treatment areas after your procedure, and you may also see some redness. These symptoms are on par with a mild sunburn, and they should disappear within a few days. Most of our Beverly Hills and West Hollywood clients are able to return immediately to their normally scheduled activities, whether it be work, school or leisure. To help maintain your results long term, be sure to drink plenty of water, eat healthy natural foods, and maximize your sleep.
- No incisions
- No discomfort or downtime
- Stimulates collagen regrowth
- Helps diminish both shallow and deep stretch marks
- Improves skin tone and texture
- Boosts self-confidence
- Effective for all skin types and tones
- Works rapidly
- Ideal for thos wo’ve experienced weight loss
The Dr. Emer Difference
Stretch Mark Reduction Treatments
To reduce the appearance of stretch marks, Dr. Emer typically concentrates on low-intensity procedures to build collagen over time and achieve gradual improvements over multiple treatment sessions. He uses various state-of-the-art fractional devices and skin rejuvenation therapies to resurface the skin and improve overall skin texture.
Dr. Emer is notorious for developing unique combination treatments that defy the accepted limits of what is possible when it comes to aesthetics and skincare. Though there is no 100% cure for stretch marks, Dr. Emer has found that he can significantly enhance the results of many stretch mark treatments with companion treatments such as:
Sculptra injections to increase your natural collagen production and gradually tighten the skin
Monthly microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and growth factors to improve cellular function and support healing
LED light therapy to promote and accelerate healing in the treated area
What to Expect After Stretch Mark Treatment
Most stretch mark treatments require little to no downtime. The majority of Dr. Emer’s Beverly Hills and West Hollywood patients are able to return immediately to their normally scheduled activities, including work, school, or leisure.
Depending on the specific procedure(s) included in your treatment, you may experience some minor soreness in the treatment areas after your procedure, and you may also see some redness. These symptoms are typically similar to having a mild sunburn, and they should disappear within a few days.
How Much Do Stretch Mark Treatments Cost?
Due to the high degree of customization needed for stretch mark treatments, pricing information is provided once Dr. Emer has developed your treatment plan. The cost of stretch mark treatments is based on the type(s) of procedures needed, the size of the treatment area, and the number of sessions needed to minimize your stretch marks and improve the texture and tone of your skin.
Schedule a Consultation
If you currently have stretch marks and want access to the most personalized, advanced, and effective stretch mark treatments in Beverly Hills, contact our office today. One of our caring staff can help you schedule your private consultation with Dr. Emer, so he can put his skill and knowledge to the task of creating a stretch mark protocol that delivers noticeable, lasting improvements you will love.