Stretch Marks

Stretch Marks

Are you tired of those unsightly stretch marks? These thin, narrow lines or ripples can appear anywhere on the body and are caused when the skin expands to grow. This can occur during a growth spurt, after weight gain, with breast implants and is also common after pregnancy.

Often informally called “tiger stripes,” stretch marks are technically called stria. Once stretch marks appear they generally do not go away, even with special creams or lotions. Although topical treatments may help reduce their appearance in certain mild cases. While they are not a medical condition, many patients find them bothersome and wish to have them removed.

 

Before & After Photos

Frequently asked questions

At LSG we can successfully treat stretch marks anywhere on the body with the use of laser technology. We carry a variety of fractional light-emitting lasers that work to penetrate the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production to help repair and smooth unwanted marks or discoloration.

LOVE YOUR SKIN AGAIN

Whether you struggle with post-pregnancy stretch marks on your belly or have stretch marks anywhere else on your body, you can finally feel confident about the look of your skin. Our laser treatments are safe for most skin types and can be used anywhere including the abdomen, legs, thighs, arms, breast, and hips.

PREPARING FOR TREATMENT

Most patients typically require multiple sessions spaced a few weeks apart to ensure the best results. However, everyone’s skin is different and therefore stretch marks can vary in size and in colour. This means that to properly understand how many treatments you will need, a consultation will be needed.

Marks that are still red or purple in colour are first treated with vascular lasers. The vascular lasers deployed at LSG include a wide range of options to give patients the best possible reduction and include BBL and Pulsed Dye lasers.

A thin layer of ultrasound gel is placed on the skin and the pink and purple vessels are treated with the flash of laser and light. The treatments are comfortable and are performed with topical numbing cream.

Vascular laser treatment is usually performed once every 3-4 weeks, over a series of 4-6 treatments. Once the red or purple is removed or reduced, the stretch mark can enter into the white stretch mark treatment program.

The treatment will often induce a bruise in the target area, so red marks can appear darker for 1-2 weeks before they start fading. The patient might experience some temporary redness and swelling of the stretch marks for a couple of days but can immediately return to regular activities.

The new approaches to laser stretch mark removal (treating from above and below) sees a 30- 75% improvement in red, white, or silvery mature stretch marks after a series of treatments. Patients usually require 4-6 sessions over a four to six month period.

The improvement in stretch mark appearance from the program should last one or more years. In order to indefinitely maintain the improved appearance, a simple maintenance program with a fractional radiofrequency or laser device is recommended once every 4-6 months.

LSG has the best selection of laser stretch mark removal devices and laser wavelengths in our area. Each laser stretch mark removal program is customized to include the best possible combination of lasers and radiofrequency (RF) technologies that will give you the most effective permanent stretch mark reduction results. At the time of your consultation, your consult coordinator will review the best combination of lasers and RF technologies to provide the results you are looking for, including BBL, Intensif RF Microneedling, Fraxel, EndyMed FSR, PicoWay Resolve, Microneedling eDermastamp.

LSG is one of Hamiltons oldest, and most respected private cosmetic laser center. Why are there so many laser and radiofrequency stretch mark removal devices available? The answer is simple: using only one laser or RF device will not give the best results. Superior stretch mark removal results are only achieved by the customized combination of two or more of the latter technologies that work in different, yet synergistic and summative ways to achieve the best results.

Methods we use to treat

Fraxel laser is one of the best lasers in the World. This laser can be used to treat skin pigmentation, wrinkles, acne scars and sun damage. It will give your skin a whole new texture and brilliance to it. Fraxel laser is gentle on your skin, with a recovery rate of 4-6 days. We recommend 1-5 treatments depending on your skin condition. Fraxel is considered a ‘fractional treatment’, meaning that it creates hundreds of deep columns through the skin called microscopic treatment zones. This means only a percentage of the skin is affected during each laser pass, reducing healing time, promoting natural regeneration of collagen, and rejuvenating skin cells. Due to the fact that Fraxel laser works through non-ablative resurfacing, the epidermis, or top layer of skin, is not directly impacted. As a result, patients can expect faster healing after treatment.
A celeb-fave, PicoWay Resolve has quickly become a go-to treatment for correcting fine lines and wrinkles, and improving skin’s texture and tone. The precise heat of the laser stimulates collagen production without damaging surrounding tissues. With virtually no downtime, it’s also more comfortable than more ablative lasers. If you struggle with hard-to-treat melasma, you know this pesky condition cannot be prevented. PicoWay Resolve is one of the fastest and most effective melasma treatments available, often boasting results in just a few treatments.
Brought to you by Syneron Candela, PicoWay uses ultra-short, picosecond (trillionths of a second) pulses of energy to target a broad range of skin concerns, while leaving surrounding skin untouched. Because it emits less heat than traditional lasers, PicoWay provides a more comfortable treatment with fast results and virtually no downtime; after treatment, patients may experience temporary discolouration or reddening of the skin surrounding the treatment site.
During this procedure, tiny needles are used to create controlled micro-injuries to the skin in order to produce collagen and elastin, the cornerstones of healthy, firm, smooth skin. eDermastamp also creates superficial micro-channels which allow topical serums to be absorbed more effectively into the skin. The benefits of microneedling are a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as younger-looking skin with fewer signs of aging. eDermastamp also has a positive effect on hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, acne scars, traumatic scars, and stretch marks and generally creates a fresher appearance or glow to the skin.
Resurfacing refers to the ablation or removal of skin tissue so new healthy tissue can be formed. Fractional skin resurfacing means that specific small areas, a fraction of the skin’s surface, are removed in a precise pattern leaving the surrounding healthy skin intact. The small sections of untreated healthy skin that are left intact facilitate rapid healing of the treated areas, resulting in very high patient satisfaction. EndyMed’s unique 3DEEP® technology signifies a new era in anti-wrinkle and skin tightening technology. It is clinically proven to deliver tighter, firmer, lifted skin, safely and effectively with little to no downtime.
The key to optimal skin health is a skincare professional. By combining a customized at-home regimen with powerful in-office treatments and targeted skincare solutions, the result is healthier skin with visible improvement in fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of premature aging. At LSG we offer SkinCeuticals skincare products. SkinCeuticals is an advanced clinical skincare line that offers comprehensive formulas to correct signs of aging, promote healthy skin, and prevent skin damage. Ranging from anti-aging moisturizers and eye creams to acne cleansers, vitamin C serums, and retinol products, our advanced skincare products are backed by science. Physicians and skincare professionals define cosmeceuticals as products on the cutting-edge between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Active ingredients in cosmeceuticals are expected to be clinically proven to enhance skincare efficacy.
As we age and our skin matures, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven textures and tone bring about dull, discoloured looking skin that lacks vibrancy. However, advancements in dermal filler products and micro-needling applicators are making preventing premature aging and addressing the signs that already exist an affordable, quick and easy process. At LSG we take microneedling to a whole new level with our innovative Beauty Booster treatment. Our Beauty Booster procedure is designed to improve hydration, revitalize the skin, reduce laxity and provide the patient with skin that has a radiant glow. We accomplish this using the revolutionary Vital Injector 2 (V2) device. The Beauty Booster treatment provides patients with two treatments in one: A Microneedling procedure in conjunction with a Dermal Filler treatment. During this procedure, our Cosmetic Specialists use the V2 injector device to perform multiple micro injections across the areas that are being treated at the same time.
INTENSIF combines the deep skin tightening benefits of radio frequency and the collagen-producing technique of microneedling. This patented technology delivers thermal energy deep within the dermis to stimulate collagen without damaging the surrounding tissue. The radio-frequency thermal energy is delivered in multiple passes through tiny needles at varying depths to provide a 3-dimensional coverage to lift and tighten the skin from within. INTENSIF is the latest advancement in tightening skin and reducing wrinkles on the face and sensitive neck area. If you’re looking for serious results, without the downtime and risk of surgery or aggressive CO2 lasers that leave you embarrassed to leave the house, INTENSIF is the treatment for you. After INTENSIF radio-frequency treatment, there is no need to hide in the house for weeks. Over time, your skin will begin to look more youthful as wrinkles diminish.

Products & Treatments we offer