Stretchmarks, scars, and red birthmarks treated using laser

Vascular lasers are lasers which emit a tiny, but powerful pulse of light that is selectively absorbed by the pigment within red blood cells and also by the collagen protein in scars and stretchmarks. The light is generated by stimulating the laser medium with an energy source. This results in a beam of laser light with precisely the required frequency and wavelength. The laser is then directed at the blemish to be treated using a pencil-like hand piece.

Stretchmarks are now treated using this type of laser. The abnormal irregular growth of collagen in the skin of a stretchmark causes its streaky appearance. This collagen absorbs the energy from the laser. The laser energy stimulates the tissue to reorganize and grow more normally.

Fading of stretchmarks may take six months or more to be completed. Stretchmarks that are red or pink have a vascular component which makes their treatment more effective. Pink or red stretchmarks will usually lighten toward a more normal skin tone.

Vascular birthmarks may be treated with this laser. These include port wine stains, other red birthmarks, and hemangiomas. Generalized redness from previous trauma, red scars, or redness from "rosacea", a form of adult acne, can also be treated.

Scars that are red, pink or white, or that are elevated may be faded using the pulse dye laser. This includes surgical scars and scars from burns or accidents. Thick scars or keloids as well as thin scars may be treated.

Stubborn warts are also treated by this laser. It works by attacking the blood vessels inside the "roots" of the warts.

Prior to this laser technology, many blemishes, stretchmarks and scars were difficult to remove without significant risk of scarring. Because the laser light is specifically tuned to the red blood cells or to the collagen protein within the blemish, the normal adjacent skin is mostly unaffected by the treatment. This laser is also gentle. It is often used without any anesthetic (or with a topical anesthetic cream). Scarring risk is less than 1%.

Vascular lasers have been researched extensively, used successfully and have been approved by the FDA. These lasers are the preferred method for removing many benign vascular growths and blemishes, scars and stretchmarks.

Most patients describe this laser as more of a minor discomfort than painful. The actual laser pulse is so short that to most people it feels like a rubberband snap to the skin.

There is usually a blue-purple discoloration or bruising immediately after treatment with the pulse dye laser. This will fade over several days to weeks. The skin will look and feel smooth and natural when healing is completed.

What about side effects?

Treatment with the laser usually leads to fading or disappearance of the blemish being treated without scarring.

However, some patients may encounter the following:

• A brownish discoloration. This will generally fade to normal over the next several weeks following laser treatment.
• A lighter color of the treated area compared to the surrounding skin. This will usually also return to normal over several weeks following laser treatment.
• Incomplete disappearance of the lesion treated. This often responds to additional treatments.

Treatment of warts and of vascular birthmarks may be considered medical (rather than cosmetic) and therefore can be covered by many insurance companies.

The treatment of stretchmarks and surgical scars is usually considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance.

For additional information visit our Medical Alliance website.